Probably should have said this at the start, but I own nothing - all credit to the creators of BBC Robin Hood!

Cast of Characters

Sir Guy of Gisborne – Potential regicide and antihero

Sheriff Vasey of Nottingham – Ambitious employer of the above

King Richard of England – Monarch; very deep sleeper

Robin of Locksley – Commander of the King's private guard; a not-so-deep sleeper

Year: 1191

Setting: King Richard's camp, Acre, the Holy Land

Scenario: Guy's first attempt at killing Richard

"Gisborne, this mission is the most important thing you will ever do. Succeed, and you will want for nothing. Our... exalted friend... will welcome you back as a hero. You will be a man of substance, Gisborne, a man of power."

The Sheriff's voice sounded clear through the intervening months, strengthening Guy of Gisborne's resolve as he entered Richard's tent. Inside, flimsy though the material was, the sound of battle was muffled. Guy drew his sword silently, confident in its keenness, and stepped forwards. The King lay asleep on his back, his face perfectly calm and still.

Guy took a breath. There was always this moment, a split second before a kill, where the whole world shrank down to that breath, when time slowed and all sound, all senses, all feelings were dimmed. It was the closest Guy ever came to peace. The sword rose up, high over his head and... Guy hesitated. For some inexplicable reason, Guy suddenly remembered something his long-dead father had once told him: "All men who kill in the dark, away from witnesses, are cowards. If you must kill, Guy, let it be preceded by an honourable fight. Do not shame me."

Beneath his dark Saracen costume, Guy's eyes showed a flicker of uncertainty. And then the world erupted. "Your Majesty! Wake up! Saracen attack!" The man who burst into the tent was younger than Guy, garbed in a Crusader's white and red tunic that had obviously been slept in. He knocked Guy's sword away furiously and Guy caught a glimpse of his face. Shock coursed through his body. Robin of Locksley. It had been seventeen years since they had seen each other last, but Guy would have know that face, filled with youthful, fearless arrogance, even without the help of the artist's drawing Marian believed she had kept hidden from all, beneath a floorboard at Knighton Hall. So this was the man Marian had once been engaged to. The man who, despite all her pretences of indifference, Guy was sure she still loved. Still as dislikeable as ever.

But Guy had no time to think about this development any further. Locksley attacked relentlessly, his curved Saracen scimitar flashing silver in the dimly lit tent. Guy was defending now, instead of attacking, fighting for his life as he had never fought before. A mad thought flashed through his brain – if he didn't return alive, then Marian would know he had lied to her, lied when the message had been sent out from Locksley Manor that he was gravely ill. Locksley's blade whipped down suddenly, too fast to block, and sliced into Guy's right arm, carving deep into the wolf tattoo that was emblazoned across the flesh.

Guy let out a cry of pain and slashed blindly at the tent wall, cutting himself a way out. He emerged at the back of the camp, disoriented and mad with agony. Blood dripped from his cut sleeve. He had failed. Perhaps he should return to the King's tent, and let the loyal Crusaders deal with him. At least his death would be swift – Locksley didn't have the brains to kill anyone slowly. Insulting his enemy seemed to help him forget the pain, so Guy continued this as he sprinted towards the oasis where the assassins had left their horses.

*

"The attempt was unsuccessful, my lord." Six words, spoken without emotion, a few months later. Six words that would stay with Guy for the rest of his life. The cut in Guy's arm stayed too. It served as a brand, a reminder of what happened when emotion, humanity, weakness interfered. Unthinking, unquestioning obedience. That was what was required of a man in his position.

Thank you to all the people who reviewed the last three chapters - you know who you are!! Hope you enjoyed this chapter - please review again!