It hadn't been more than about ten minutes since Matilda left, but then gang had already packed up from breakfast and were out looking for somewhere to train when they came across a nice clearing in the wood. "The people of Nettleston were worse than we thought, there hasn't been a very good crop this year and the lack of rain has meant that they can't grow any food, they're getting really hungry", Robin said as the group sat in the midday sun.
"If the sheriff didn't keep raising taxes then the poor would have enough money to be able to go buy their own food! I hate the sheriff" Will said, with a vacant expression on his face as he stared into the distance.
"Help! Hel- Agh! Help m…!" the muffled sounds of a female screaming echoed throughout the forest.
"It sounds like a woman" Allan shot up, preparing his sword.
"She's close" Djaq stood up too followed by the others. They looked around, straining to hear where the noise was coming from.
"The north road!" Robin yelled as he darted off through the trees.
The gang ran as fast as they could. They'd never been involved in situations like this before, it was usually them doing the robbery of the killing of cruel people but this was different. It sounded like someone desperately trying to get away but being restrained and muffled, as if someone didn't want anyone to hear her screams. Will and Robin suspected it was something to do with Gisbone, after all it usually was. But Djaq had a deep feeling in her that it was something completely different yet just as sinister and it made her panic.
*Matilda POV*
It hurt. It hurt so much that I thought I was going to die then and there. The men had now crowed round me as I lay on the ground covered in bruises and mud and leaves. Some were laughing and others were trying to pull the first man off me so I presume they could have a go too. I felt like being sick, I wanted to be sick, at least that might put them off so they would stop what they were doing. I felt a tear reach my mouth as I continued to scream for help, but I wasn't even aware that I was crying. My mother had only once told me about the risks of being on your own among men, but I was very young at the time and she wouldn't have told me about them trying to do anything like this to me. I longed to see that gang of outlaws again, they'd help me, Robin Hood and that nice one Djaq. They were so kind to me. I just couldn't stop thinking about the one with those amazing blue eyes either, even when he jumped out to ambush me I was rather taken aback by his looks. I wonder if he is with that girl Djaq, I do hope not, he's awfully lovely.
Matilda wasn't aware of the new man who was now on top of her and of how the laugher of the other men was growing louder. She was clearly in such a state of panic and pain that her brain tried to combat that by allowing her to just daydream and try to ignore what was going on. However it didn't last for long.
Robin, Will, Djaq, Allan, Much and John had found the source of the cries for help and were ducked behind a fallen tree by the side of the road. When Allan saw Matilda on the ground surrounded by 5 large men, two of which had no hair and torn clothes, he lurched up from the tree but Robin pulled him back out of sight.
"No, we can't, there's less of them than us but they're bigger and stronger, we can't go now" Robin persisted.
"Look what they're doing to her!" Allan pleaded, clearly distressed.
Djaq stood up, "No, Robin, we have to go now, honestly, it could already be too late", she had a grave look on her face that almost scared Robin, he realised that Djaq obviously knew exactly what was going on, even if the others didn't. They drew their swords and crept up behind the pre-occupied men.
"Get yourself away from her!" cried Robin lunging the sword at the unarmed men.
Two of them put their hands up and gave themselves up straight away so Will went to immediately tie them up but the other three weren't so bothered. Allan and Much knocked one of the men out with pieces of wood but one dived at Djaq. John intercepted his path with his stuff and the man went flying to the ground when Djaq tied his hands up and knocked him out. Allan pushed the man off Matilda but the large man fought back, thumping Allan in the stomach. Much pulled the man up by his neck with a piece of rope and when Allan saw that the man had his trousers down by his ankles he almost fainted in realisation. He grabbed Matilda up who was nearly unconscious and bleeding quite a lot and Much along with Robin took care of the last man.
Djaq ran up to Robin, sword still in hand. Robin, we need to get her back to camp now, she needs urgent help, can you fetch my medical supplies from the store, we need them now"