Chapter 4: Hold on
-- Outlaw's Camp --Little John returned to camp that night hungry from another busy day delivering food to various villages with Djaq. He normally did not mind that the other outlaws, namely Much and Allen, were speaking in hushed tones. However, two full days of relative silence with a full camp of outlaws was something he is growing tired of. It was easier when there were only three of them walking on eggshells because of Robin. It was quite another matter for a whole crew of six to be stunted by Carter. He saw Djaq take her leave by his side just to ask Allan to call on Will for her before disappearing somewhere in the woods. He watched as Will follow after her only after he had waited a few seconds making sure that Carter would not see them. Robin was trying to shush Much with a finger in front of his lips and a quick motion to Carter's direction. Allan was trying to sharpen his sword in the most silent way he knew how. This situation, Little John did not like.
He understood. They all understood. The death of a loved one was not the easiest news to swallow. He often thought if his wife Alice wore the same countenance as Robin had and now Carter when she learned that he had died because he never wants to see her as depressed as they had been. Carter had hardly eaten anything. He had hardly said anything. But most disturbingly, he had hardly moved from the spot under the tree where Little John himself had laid him when he was rendered unconscious two days ago. He had watched Carter resume wearing his necklace in tears after he had untangled it from the daggers. But that was about all that he saw him do. There, under the tree, the crusader sat grieving his loss gently thumbing wooden tag they had given her and the weapons that Little John knew Evangeline had held so dearly like they would somehow bring her back.
Little John's thought flew to the girl in question. He remembered meeting her for the first time as the thief Leigh Thornton of Winchester. She came to commission Dan Scarlett for a special box to keep the plans she had helped steal from the Black Knights. Later, he learned of the death of the her friend the real Leigh Thornton and his fiance Mary because she had to explain why she had to steal the jewels that were just given to the Sheriff. Little John smiled at the memory of the girl clad in the colours of Cornwall getting herself arrested to spring Will and Djaq out of the dungeons. A few weeks ago, she had so bravely chastised Robin Hood himself and created a plan to save Much from death. She was unlike the two women he has had the pleasure to fight beside. Unlike Djaq and Marian, the girl was very much still like a child. She teased and taunted playfully stepping the line of being out of turn. He could still see the amused wonder glow in her eyes. He had known her to be passionate, honest and terribly unapologetic. "If you want the jewels that badly you have to fight me for them" She had challenged Djaq so many months before. "Tonight, you are not Robin Hood or Robin of Locksley. You are just a lost man." She had told Robin just a few weeks before. Her, he liked.
He saw Carter wipe a tear from his eye and bow his head in defeat. Little John frowned. For the past two days, only Robin had been talking to the crusader. He could imagine Robin being sympathetic due to his own loss. Robin had told them that it was their responsibility to mind Carter and to give him time. Unfortunately, time was not something they had anymore. Little John could feel it even in the forest. The Black Knights had them a step behind in their plans to change the status of a prince to king. The blow was hard to take. It wasn't long ago when they discovered that Aquitaine had been secretly fighting in their cause by the orders of the Queen Mother. They felt so much bigger with the knowledge. Aquitaine were their allies in at least preserving King Richard's life for the Queen Mother would surely not take the life of her own son Prince John. But now, her own knights have been discovered and taken. Their little gang in Sherwood suddenly seemed very small and alone. And Carter, who was charged by the King himself to spoil the Black Knight's plans, was thoroughly crushed.
He suddenly found himself standing in front of Carter with his staff in hand. "This, she would not like." He said with slightly more authority than even he thought he meant. He could feel the gang's eyes on him as he stood unmoved. The hushed talk in the camp was gone completely. Carter, however, remained still in his spot. He eyed the younger man unapologetically that he thought the girl would be proud of.
"John, I don't think this is the time--" He heard Robin start behind him.
"No, Robin." He interrupted in the same cold tone without looking back. "Enough." Little John dropped to one knee. "Evangeline died fighting for her people. What are you doing?" He scolded.
At the sound of her name, Carter raised his eyes to meet John's steely gaze. John recognized those emotions in the man's eyes as sadness and anger. "Do not pretend to know how I feel." He answered softly.
"No, I do not." Little John agreed. "But the king charged you, Carter, to ruin the Black Knights. It is your duty." He reminded the young man.
"And I have failed. They have won." The crusader dejectedly caressed the daggers again but felt no comfort from the cold steel.
John shook his head furiously. "Not yet. The King is still alive." He pointed out. He felt a hand pressing on his shoulder. He looked up unsurprised to see Robin standing beside him giving him an uneasy expression.
"And what would you have me do, John? Tell me. Because right now, I would really want to kill the sheriff and Gisbourne and all those Black Knights one by one until I die for everything they've done. If I do that the King will live won't he? He will come back without enemies to hinder him in England and that is without question the best plan." Carter replied still staring at the weapons beside him. "And I will take my revenge for her. Because they've taken her... I'm never going... I've never told her..." Carter's eyes filled with rage and tears once more rendering him unable to finish a coherent sentence.
"Stop, John." Robin was no longer requesting for him to end the conversation. He was ordering it.
John knew that tone well. It would silence most of them giving Robin all their trust. He would normally comply. But these were not normal circumstances they found themselves in anymore. "No Robin." He objected. "We do what we do because we believe in something bigger than ourselves. That, she said." He saw Robin's jaw clench no doubt remembering that it was to him that she said it to while he was mourning his own loss for far too long.
Robin shook his head. "John, I had months when Eva scolded me. Carter has had two days. Give him time. That's an order." Robin explicitly commanded.
"Time, we do not have." The large man argued bringing himself to his full height. "You said it yourself. The Black Knights are cutting off the King's support. The Knight were invaluable. They will go to the king now and we do not know how. He can help." He reasoned emphasizing its importance by stamping his staff on the dirt.
"John-" Robin turned to his friend ready to reprimand but there was a sudden movement at his side that made him stop.
Carter had moved. Specifically, he stood up slipping the two sheathed daggers behind him as he knew she would have done. He wiped the tears still falling on his cheeks away on the back of his sleeves. "John is right." He admitted at such a low volume that they thought they heard him wrong. "Eva-- she believed in that." He said wiping the tears from her eyes again. "And she believed that there is always heaven." His voice cracked as fresh tears started to form in his eyes. He met Robin's sympathetic gaze while he raised her outlaw tag so that it spun in their sight. "This, she would not like. I will not have her hate me from where she is. How do you..." He hesitated before he could steel his emotions once more. "Do you burn the tag when a member dies?" He asked the noble.
Robin took the tag back slowly and stared at it in his hand. The three stood in silence for a moment contemplating the memory of the girl that once wore the tag. Robin finally shook his head giving the tag back to Carter. "Keep it to remind you. We'll burn another." He gave the crusader a small sad smile as he took another tag from his pocket.
Little John placed his free arm around the grieving man's shoulders leading him to the camp's bonfire where the other four outlaws were gathered. He watched Robin drop the tag into the fire while Much crossed himself.
"Not being funny, but if there is a heaven and she sees Tom, I reckon they'd be having some sort of pickpocket contest right now." Allan was the first to speak smiling at the thought. "She was good. She was very good." He nodded remembering when the girl had given her the keys to free Gisbourne and a free alibi for himself and Marian so they would not be implicated in the escape of Will and Djaq.
"Her I liked." John said promptly.
"A good friend. Honest. I remember she used to watch my dad and ask him far too much questions about wood." Will's hand found Djaq's and he squeezed them lovingly as he closed his eyes.
Djaq stared at the burning tag. "Passionate but forgiving." She added with a small smile.
"Brave. Strong. Forced to grow up far too fast in my opinion." Much sighed trying to hold his own tears back. "I can still remember her when you and Tristan were having some archery contest. Do you remember that, master?" Much gave his friend a small smile. "You missed the target and the arrow somehow flew to where she and Marian were watching and nearly hit her. I think that was the time she chased you to break your bow but you were to fast so she threw a dagger to break it instead." Much watched the other outlaws stifle their humour at imagining the young Robin's arrow missing its mark. Then suddenly, Much's countenance was beaming as if he realized something for the first time. "That's it! That's why she hates archery. It was because you missed. You scared her so that she never wanted to touch a bow until she absolutely needed to. I knew it! I knew it couldn't be because she just hates archery." Much pointed an accusing finger across the campfire to his former master.
There was a look of shock in Robin's face. "Don't be silly Much." But then he cringed looking to the heavens realizing that what Much said could be true. "I'm sorry Eva." He apologized. "Give Marian a hug for me."
There
was silence as they waited for Carter to speak. "She's the only one who
understood. She's the only one who can see. And I, I will love her
forever." He vowed staring at the burning tag until there was no trace
of it left but ashes.
--
-- Nottingham Castle --
The sheriff stood outside the door to the war room nervously. This is one of those days that he could not mess up. He did not even want to post guards outside the room like they normally did in fear that the guards would show their ineptitude. No, he would do this privately with only Gisbourne by his side. He tilted his neck to one side then the other while rolling his shoulders back several times to help ease the tension he was up against. He stared at the wooden door and took a deep breath. "Gisbourne." He called out with a curt nod to the man standing right behind him. He saw Gisbourne step forward from behind to push the door open for him. "The sheriff of Nottingham." He heard his lieutenant announce his presence to the man waiting in the war room.
The sheriff plastered a confident smile on his face before he entered the fiery war room. He saw his lone visitor turn his blonde head towards the door and eye him with his piercing blue eyes. The man took a grape from the bunch on a bowl that was balancing on his arm rest. The sheriff quickly bowed lowly to the person lounging in his own seat. "Good morning sire, I trust your journey was a safe one." He greeted just as Gisbourne closed the door and joined him in a low bow.
"Vassey, Gisbourne, I trust your plan is going well." He answered popping a grape in his mouth indifferently.
"Yes sire." The sheriff straightened heading towards the circular table. "We have cut down Aquitaine's support significantly." He beamed outwardly though he was uncomfortable with the hostile air hanging in the room.
Prince John eyed the two men coldly. "How significantly?" He pressed on.
"Sire, most of the Queen's Knights have been taken care of." Gisbourne reported unmoved in his position by the door. He saw the prince's head turn to him sharply.
"Most?" He replied obviously unimpressed. "I was somehow under the impression that you got them all." His eyes flashed with the anger his voice did not betray. Sir Guy of Gisbourne stood frozen in his place unable to speak. He tore his gaze away from the Prince and met the sheriff's instead.
The sheriff saw his lieutenant silently asking to rescue him from the Prince. Politics, after all, was his forte as force was his right hand man's. The sheriff gave the prince a small smile. "Highness, Sir Guy was simply avoiding to make an over generalization. It is true they are not all dead-- they're just mostly dead. And those that can still serve might as well be dead. The plan has been relayed and adjusted for all eventualities." He informed the monarch in his usual confident tone.
But again, the prince remained stoic to the sheriff's advances for friendship and humour. There was too much at stake now that his brother was so close to coming to terms with Saladin in the Holy Land. This might be his last chance. He had to make sure that everything was going to be perfect even if he himself had to get his hands dirty. "You had better make sure that no alchemist can call for their resurrection. Now, about your outlaws? Will they be a problem?" He stood from his chair to circle the model slowly admiring the land he wanted so badly. There was a noticeable pause in the conversation. The Prince lifted his gaze from the model and found the sheriff's then Gisbourne's and back to the sheriff. "Vassey?" He blatantly demanded an explanation.
The sheriff smiled weakly. "We are yet undiscovered, sire." He chose his words wisely trying to emphasize the positive instead of the negative-- that they were still alive.
"Vassey, how is it that I gave you the resources of this county yet you can not subdue six individuals?" The Prince of England took a dagger out from his side. "This is what you should have done from the very first hour of Huntington's dissent." He suddenly reached and stabbed the center of where Nottingham was in. He stared at the two Black Knights showing nothing but annoyance before composing himself once more. "Lucky for you, Philippe and I understand each other." He informed continuing his slow walk around the table.
"Sire?" Vassey hated that he was now giving monarch a confused expression.
The prince dragged his finger across the level blue that represented the English channel. "No vessel without proper identification and authorization from Paris or London may pass the channel." He raised his head with a sadistic smile. "Your outlaws are good but I doubt they can commandeer a vessel themselves and face the port guards and our own assassins." Finally, he found himself standing in front of the awestruck Sheriff of Nottingham. He saw the sheriff shining with happiness as they faced each other. The taller monarch gave the schemer his ringed hand. The sheriff knelt to kiss it immediately. "Let's do this with style. Let it seem like her feminine ways have taken her. Let it seem like she wakes up one day deciding to give me her support." He took his hand back smiling dryly. "Or let it seem like she is not able to wake at all. Then we, my friend, we will have it all by summer solstice." He said.
The sheriff returned the royal's smile with his own devilish one. "And I am forever your humble servant." He kissed the prince's ring again like he was God himself. His resolve strengthened now that he was in the presence of greatness.
But at that moment, Gisbourne heard the muffled sounds of footsteps right outside the door. He quickly turned to open the door just slightly enough so that he could see out into the hall. In seeing that there was nobody there, he decided that it might have just been some guards making their rounds in the castle.
"Gisbourne, anything wrong?" He heard the sheriff ask worriedly.
Sir Guy shut the door and resumed his previous position. He saw that the pair had stopped in mid conversation. He gave the Prince and his employer a small smile of assurance he knew they wanted from him. "No my Lords." He answered with a polite nod. And just as he had finished saying those words, there it was-- a female voice he would recognize anywhere he went.
"What are you doing?" He heard Marian
chastise so clearly. It was as if she was standing behind him and
leaning in. "I thought I saw a different side to you Guy. But now I
believe I'm mistaken. Again." He heard her say with that tone of
disappointment he so loathed. A chill went down his spine while he
closed his eyes trying to ignore the effect that she had left on him.
--
-- Laurent Estate --
Michelle ran down the stairs of the manor in great distress. He immediately ran out into the dawn to check the horses and stared when he saw that a horse was indeed missing. "Merde!" He cursed as he returned back to the manor even more greatly worried than when he started out. He quickly went to the guest quarters ignoring the looks of the other two servants in the house. He knocked incessantly on their door determinedly. Finally, a sleepy man only wearing his pants and a loose robe opened the door to the room. "Monsieur Girard." He greeted watching the man lean on the door frame.
"Michelle, I know you like to prepare early in the day." He paused to yawn. "However, I do believe you have a problem if the sun is not yet completely up and you have come here to call us for breakfast." He gave the man an easy drowsy smile.
The servant kept his temper in check knowing that it was his idea for the couple to stay in the manor to help attend to Evangeline. Four days had passed since his mistress ran off with her friends in the dead of the night to fend off mercenaries threatening to ruin their lives as well as their people's. He remembered clearly that the four returned before dawn. They had nothing but flesh wounds which was quickly mended by the skilled hands of Camille and Michelle himself. But they were close to losing their youngest comrade. She had taken a terrible fever. Raoul recounted that they were burning the evidence of the rogues presence when he saw Evangeline just fall to her knees before hitting the ground unconscious. Remy had carried her back on his horse with the couple leading the way to the estate. When she was cleaned and bandaged, they laid her to rest in her bed. She had no serious injury which worried them even more thinking that they just could not see it. They took turns that day watching over the pale girl nervously as her breathing became shallow and her lips turned blue. It wasn't until hours after Camille had forcefully woken her up to feed her broth while partly conscious that they were given a little hope of her survival. The color started to return to her complexion. It was then that Camille had gone down the stairs announcing that his mistress would live. She explained that the girl had pushed far beyond what her body could handle that under extreme stress, the only thing her body could do to protect itself from further harm was to shut down. They were all reduced to tears of joy before Remy left them to check if his mother has been affected up north.
Michelle gave the manor's guest a look of confusion and despair. "I went to her room to check on her but she was not in bed and her horse Chestnut is gone. And she has taken your sword." He watched as the humour that the noble possessed earlier faded into a similar worried expression.
Raoul sighed running his
hand through his rumpled hair. "Damn that girl's will." He swore under
his breath. "Do not worry Michelle." He placed a comforting hand on the
older man's shoulder. "We will find her." He was about to close the
door before his head popped out again. "By the way, what is for
breakfast?" He asked curiously earning him a wry look from the servant.
--
Evangeline heard a traveler on the road and frowned. She was going to be interrupted again. She shifted thick layer of ashes to one side creating a thick line with her borrowed sword so that she could see and feel the ground below for the last time until the horses went past and she could continue again. She was already three quarters of the way done with the nagging feeling that she would end up disappointed in the end now that she was shifting through Remy and Camille's area. She held back her tears as she vowed to continue on her personal mission on the Western Passage to go through the remnants of their last battle.
"Evangeline Stone de Laurent!" She heard a familiar male voice shout over the pounding of horse hooves. Her frown deepened but at least she knew she didn't have to stop to let him pass. She walked up to the edge of ashes and started shifting them about again. She heard the horses stop but still did not look back. She felt a hands on both her shoulders forcing her to stop and turn to face him. "Eva, what in God's good Earth are you doing?! You have us all worried sneaking off like that." Raoul exclaimed his expression betraying none of the humour he usually had. Instead, he wore the countenance of pure relief and worry.
"Apologies but you had me confined in my room since I was coherent enough two days ago. I doubt that any of you lot would let me look for a few things." She answered simply giving her best friend a disheartened smile. She felt the tears she was trying to hold back finally fall. She lowered her head brushing the tears away on the back of her sleeves. "I have lost them." She choked out stabbing the ground with the sword in frustration.
Raoul was at a loss but could not do anything else but bring the girl to his embrace. "What did you lose, Eva?" He asked rubbing the girl's back trying to comfort her.
"Uncle Mark's and Tristan's daggers. I did not even use them. I do not know how they could have slipped. But they are gone." She answered panicked. "And I know I will not find Robin's tag but Carter's necklace-- I do not understand how it could have fallen when it was hanging inside my vest. Metals just do not burn into ash. But there is no trace of them." She exclaimed in obvious frustration. "You must think I'm being ridiculous." She sobbed wrapping her arms around Raoul's middle.
Her friend smiled sadly knowing how much those items meant to her. She carried them everywhere to remember those that she loves that were not physically by her side. He had teased her about having weapons she hardly used many times before calling them extra baggage and he had watched her play with the necklaces when she was bored or nervous and was prohibited to play with her daggers instead. He glanced at the lines of ashes she had made knowing that it had reached the areas where she hadn't even gone to fight. "Eva," he loosened his embrace on her and lifted her chin with a finger. "You know as well as I do that your uncle and cousin would find this dagger hunt trivial because they would rather have you well. And as for Carter." He grinned wryly. "I would like to believe you picked a man that is not that shallow. Although, I will beat the living day lights out of that crusader if he even thinks of reprimanding you over a trinket." He saw the slight amusement return in the girl's red eyes as she wiped her last tears away. "Do you see Camille and I fighting over our lost rings?" He asked taking the girl's sword out of the ground to lean on his shoulder. "Of course not. I can buy her a new one. In fact, I can get her a better one." He proclaimed leading the girl to their horses.
"Well, I can see how you see this as an advantage. You can ride into town like a cad and those barmaids would not know the difference." The girl pointed out allowing herself to be led away by her friend knowing that he was right and finally accepting her loss. Besides, with more horses making their way through, she realized she was just going to spend most of her day by the side of the road.
"Putty in my hands." Raoul mused. "And you can play those rogues. Divide and conquer. What a pair we make." He grinned handing her his sword back.
"Resistance is futile" She smirked placing the sword back on its scabbard tied to her horse. "That is, until Camille finds you." She handed her friend his horse's reigns.
He took the reigns with one hand and gave her a pat on the head with the other. "Who is to say she will find me?" He replied breezily.
"Oh she will find you. There is no doubt about that." A voice answered sternly behind them. The pair turned around with sheepish grins as they watched the two riders dismount their horses.
Raoul tossed his reigns back to Evangeline who caught it deftly. With his arms spread out, he happily walked over to his wife for a quick embrace. "Speaking of my lovely wife--" He started out.
But Madame Girard simply gave him a playful shove out on one shoulder making him pivot out of the way. "Yes, yes your lovely wife." She repeated dryly. "And you, mademoiselle," she continued walking towards the young girl now wide eyed in fear, "in what part of "You almost died not knowing your limits" did you not understand?" She reprimanded crossing her arms.
"Technically, riding entails me to be seated on a horse which does not take that much effort. And I have not gotten into trouble yet." Evangeline defended with a guilty smile. She cringed when she saw the blonde woman raise an eyebrow at her knowing that she meant well. She shot Raoul a look asking him to rescue her but the man just shrugged pushing, the other rider, Remy in the fray instead.
"Well, if you're well enough to ride dear Eva," Remy paused watching Camille turn fixing her glare at him instead. The dark haired man fumbled with his hair tie. "Then you are well enough to pay a visit to court. I carry information I overheard near the channel ports while visiting my mother.If we leave now, we make Poitiers by nightfall." He said quickly.
Camille shook her head. "Absolutely not." She objected quickly. Remy grabbed her husband beside him by the shoulder and pushed him forward to deal with his wife at the same time Evangeline motioned for him to do the same thing.
Raoul raised both his hands in an attempt to make her see reason. "Now, Camille, do not be rash. Remy has information. You know our rules. We do not speak of it until the Queen hears it first. And we keep it secret until she relays the message to us if she sees fit. It would be easier if Eva came with us than sending her a bird to meet us and travel alone. You know the Queen will ask for our little foursome to attend to matters together." He argued slowly as more viable suggestions flowed freely in his head. "In addition, she duped us all today. What makes you think Michelle would be able to lock her in her room? If we bring her along, you get to watch her until she is in fighting form." He reasoned quite proud of his improvised excuse.
"Or she goes off for a drink with one of you. Divide and conquer is it not?" She replied unconvinced.
"But still in our very able company." He grinned walking over to his wife knowing that she was about to give in. He placed a quick kiss on her forehead. "Besides, no barmaid can ever look as beautiful as you do when you are upset." His wife groaned visibly annoyed that she married a genius. He saw Evangeline toss him his reigns and caught it deftly. "We should head back before Michelle dies from worry." He grinned remembering the old distraught servant knowing that he had won this round.
His wife rolled her eyes and sighed. She headed for her horse. " Honestly, you are all impossible." She cried in defeat.
--
-- Nottingham Castle--
Sir Guy of Gisbourne was making a round of the castle. He was glad the Prince had decided to leave. He knew this was the man who would butter his bread. However, he didn't hold a very high opinion of the man. Prince John was just odd. For a man with power, he delegated out the most important parts of any operation-- the planning and execution. All the monarch did was tie up the details and approve which plans the Black Knights have laid out for him. But he did none of the work himself. Ironic that the man who wants throne did very little to show that he really wanted it. In fact, Sir Guy believed this was the first time that Prince John would be present in any scheme to overthrow the throne.
He leaned on the banister of the landing watching the people mill about in that side of the castle. There was a cart of new arms being brought in. There were his guards on the battlements looking out for trouble. There were the castle servants going to and fro with buckets of water, fruits and vegetables. There was also a familiar blonde woman about to throw the trash.
Gisbourne smiled wryly at the sight of the girl. The sheriff wanted Eve found and hanged for the part she played aiding Robin Hood's men destroy the black powder. He had his guards looking for her everywhere in the county just for he himself to find her in Knighton in one of his many fruitless visits to Marian. The noble woman asked him not to bring her to the sheriff and vouched for the girl but he would not have it. In the end, a compromise was struck. Eve was to be imprisoned in the castle as a kitchen maid without the sheriff's knowledge and where Gisbourne himself could watch her.
And he watched her now amused that even the sheriff did not notice that she was there in the castle. She carried a basket full of trash, no doubt, from their lunch to the chute placing it down on the ground first. Curiously, she fished for something in her pocket. Gisbourne's brow furrowed when he saw a small piece of parchment come from her pocket. He started to move when she reached for something inside the chute looking around as she did so. Eve placed something in her pocket still on her guard checking if someone was watching. Then when she was satisfied, she threw the trash down the chute and disappeared behind a crate.
And suddenly, Gisbourne was not amused.
--
Much was giddy that he had to be extra careful not to let his hood fall because of the extra spring to his step. He had gone to town with Will and Djaq. Oddly enough, they came to make a few drops and he went along to get some honey. But when they passed the trash pile, they saw their little message box drop with its top closed. He had wanted to rush on it immediately knowing that Eve has a message for them-- and hopefully for him. He was on his way to retrieve the note when Djaq had pulled him back.
"Hold on lover boy." She teased while paying for the honey he had chosen.
Much bowed his head in frustration. "There is a note from Eve which means she has information for us. We must get to it immediately. It might be important." He reasoned eying the box.
He saw Will on his other side discreetly handing a small pouch of coins to a poor woman and her mother. "Yes, but did you see the trash come down?" He asked quietly smirking. He pointed to the chute's direction once more.
Then, trash did come down the chute. Much's face dropped. "That is revolting." He let slip out of his lips imagining the trash could have landed on him. He dusted the non existent trash from his shoulders and wiped his hands off the front of his cloak in disgust. The Earl of Bonchurch looked at his fellow outlows share a familiar amused smile. He rolled his eyes admitting defeat. "Alright. I was wrong. You were right. I apologize. Let's go." He said leading the way to retrieve the note.
He gingerly stepped on the trash as he made his way to the note with Djaq beside him. Will stood a little further back to watch for guards. He raised the box. He slid the top open surprised and pleased that there were two notes instead of just one. He passed both to Djaq. He dug into his pocket excitedly producing another small piece of parchment to slip in the box before letting it hang. Much beamed when Djaq handed him a note while kept the other. They were about to leave the dump when they heard Gisbourne's voice echoing through the chute.
"Give me that parchment Eve." He ordered.
"I was just throwing the trash--" Her reply came short followed by a small scream. Much exchanged worried glances with Djaq as they both stood still on top of the trash pile.
There was a growl of anger. "Guards! Take her to the dungeons! She's a spy for Robin Hood." He announced. "Someone check the other end. Arrest anyone who is playing with our trash." There were footsteps of soldiers mobilizing. Much heard Eve start cries for mercy fading but was still frozen solid on the spot. He felt Djaq pull him his hand tearing him out of imagining the horrors Eve would be facing in the dungeon.
"Come on, Much." She hurried the man along but Much was lagging behind looking back at the chute where he knew Eve was being dragged away against her will.
Around the corner, Will came rushing to them. "We have to get out of here." He warned. He saw his love motion to their reluctant friend in despair. "Much! Robin will know what to do." He nodded convincingly to the former man servant.
"Right. Robin. He'll know what to do."
Much repeated finally hurrying off with the couple down the town
streets and into the forest.
--
The sheriff threw open the doors to the Great Hall with great delight. If he were younger he would be skipping. He has the approval of the future king of England to push through with his plans. And now, Gisbourne has his former informant in custody kneeling down on the cold stone floors shackled. He must have been crazy even thinking of employing a leper two years ago. He bent down grinning before her so that he met her defiant eyes. "Hello Eve. Found your way back I see?" He faked a frown when she looked away. "No?" He straightened clapping his hands. "Well done Gisbourne. And it only took you two years to do it." He congratulated dryly.
Sir Guy of Gisbourne looked down to his boots for a second before regaining his composure. "She's been spying on us and giving information to Hood. Unfortunately, when my men checked their little contraption, all they found was a love letter that spoke of how brave she was to give them information on that bible." He informed the sheriff. "It was signed by the Earl of Bonchurch." He rolled his eyes and shook his head remembering the delusional man who wrote it.
"Lah di dah di dah. Love letter. Should've left it in the trash." The sheriff eyed his master of arms suspiciously. "And how did she get into the castle Gisbourne hm?" He asked taking a few steps towards the man.
Sir Guy hesitated. The sheriff raised his eyebrow at him. "She's been imprisoned to work for the castle kitchen for as long as she lives. Marian..." He paused steeling his nerve, "struck the compromise. Kitchen slave instead of the dungeons." He yielded.
"Damn leper. Dead. Yet not quite dead. By the way, before or after she left you in the altar? " The sheriff pried making his lieutenant feel uncomfortable. "Ah, I'll take that as before." He turned around to look out of the window. Then he quickly turned to look at the kneeling blonde. "But what to do with you?" He wondered out loud tapping his chin. "The dungeons? No. That would be too normal. I want something explosive! Something to make people gasp. How about we'll make an example out of you." His smile faded glowering at the girl.
Eve looked glared at the sheriff of Nottingham giving him a self assured smile. "They'll come. You'll see." She nodded.
"Ah yes, the power of love. It makes you do such very stupid things." He smiled slyly facing his lieutenant. Sir Guy shifted slightly in his place. "Gisbourne, I want to make an example out of her. But we have a problem. How do you make a hanging more interesting?" He inquired.
"I don't know my lord." Sir Guy answered curtly.
"Well,
I do.Tell mister hangman that in two hours, he'll be accompanying Eve
back to Eden. Oh and get your guards ready. I want to talk to them."
The sheriff rubbed his hands together as a new scheme formed in his
head. "Oh this is good." He told himself. "This is very good."
--
-- Outlaw's Camp --
Robin pulled his empty bow string while he watched his friend pace around the campfire. The others were preparing their own weapons. He was trying to hide his own frustration as every plan he formulated in his mind was discounted immediately because he knew that they had done some variant of it before. The sheriff would be ready for them to sneak into the castle to free their spy.
More frustrating was that he had allowed this to happen. Why hadn't he said no to Carter when he first suggested it? He knew the dangers of having someone inside the castle spying for them. It was dangerous whether or not a person was willing and able to do it. He chastised himself for being overly optimistic that this time Eve would be undetected. Unlike Marian, she had no alter ego to protect. Unlike Marian, she worked inside the castle and was free to roam in the guise of serving food. Unlike Marian, she wasn't a noble that Gisbourne was enamoured with or followed around by guards. But unlike Marian, Eve was not capable of protecting herself. For Eve to be caught was a large blow to him. If they didn't rescue her in time then it meant that another person would die because of him-- because of his cause. And that, he can not accept. He pulled on the bow string again relishing at the sound that distracted his thoughts.
The worst is that he could not even understand her note. He could understand why the ports of England would be on alert for the outlaws but the French ports as well? The Black Knights have already destroyed the Order of the Knights of Aquitaine so who's support would they be aiming for next? Which country? And what was so important that they had to do it on summer solstice? It was enough to give me a headache. He saw Much stop at mid pace heading to where Carter was seated. Robin sighed knowing what would come next. "This." Much pointed to the ground for emphasis. "This is your fault."
Carter looked up sadly at the ranting man. "Yes, it is. I'm sorry Much." He apologized.
But the former man servant continued on as if he didn't hear anything. "Eve could've gone unnoticed in the palace as a kitchen maid until I found her." He quickly glanced at the others before they could say anything. "And I would've found her. I promised." Allan raised his hands signaling that he didn't say a word while Djaq and Little John had a silent wry exchange. Much's attention went back to Carter."But you. You had to sneak right back into Nottingham and ask her to be a spy. Our spy. Why couldn't you have just stayed in the Holy Lands?"
"Because he was ordered by the king." Allan pointed out. "Not being funny, but you can't exactly just so no to the king can you?" He reasoned.
"Apologies." Carter repeated in the same solemn voice.
"Not another word from you, Allan." Much replied. "The king!" He exclaimed. "It's always about the king isn't it? It isn't about anything else but the king. Everybody is fighting for him and he's not even here. Even the Queen Mother is trying. By the time he gets back we'll all be dead." He droned on.
"Much." Robin warned.
"We'll be dead and he'd be... alive! And then what will happen? Nothing. Because we're not here." He shouted in no one in particular.
"Much! Shut up." Little John yelled over the frustrated Much.
"That's shut up Lord Much to you." He snapped back much to everyone's amusement. The corners of Carter's lips lifted. Little John tried to stifle a smile. Djaq looked away like she suddenly found something very interesting in the woods. Allan looked downward shaking his head. Robin couldn't help but chuckle. Much felt Robin's hand on his shoulder as he watched the people around him delight at his expense. "What? What did I say?" he asked.
But before anybody can answer, Will came running back into the camp. One glance around the present lightened mood told him something had happened. "What did I miss?" He asked while trying to catch his breath.
"Nothing." Robin shook his head lightly. "What the news Will?" He inquired his smile fading.
Will sighed grimly. "Townspeople say she's to hang." He informed them. He spied Much pale considerably beside their leader. "Do you have a plan Robin?" He motioned to Much who looked like he was about to faint.
Robin nodded. "Yeah I have a plan." He answered nonchalantly.
Much faced him suspiciously. "You do? You have a plan?"
Robin gave his friend his best confident smile but Much was unconvinced. He let the smile go. "Maybe half a plan." He admitted.
--
-- Nottingham town--
It's been weeks since the drums had echoed through the streets of Nottingham. The people immediately stopped what they were doing to once again see which poor soul had offended the sheriff. There were rumours that it was one of the castle kitchen maids. The people gathered in the main quad surrounding the platform where the hangman already stood testing the noose for strength. He placed a small stool right below it for the girl to stand then turned around to make sure the her hood was ready.
The doors of the castle keep opened as the drummer boy went on. It was a sight they were all familiar with. Guards spilled out to take their places before the sheriff walked out grinning to meet the masses. Sir Guy of Gisbourne would come next. Then a scared woman dressed simply in white with her hands tied behind her came with two soldiers that made sure she will not escape. Some people in the audience gasped when they saw the ashen girl walking bravely to the platform and step up to the small stool as if admitting her guilt.
Sir Guy of Gisbourne eyed as the sheriff stepped forward. "The sheriff of Nottingham!" He announced halting the drummer from hitting his instrument momentarilly.
"People of Nottingham. My dear people." He started pacing. "This lady has been caught helping outlaws before. This lady has been shown mercy before. Instead of the platform, she was offered the kitchen. Was she thankful? A clue: No." He said pointing at the still defiant Eve. "Instead, this particularly stubborn girl decided to aid those pitiful forest outlaws." He finally faced the audience. "I guess old habits do die hard." He shook his head in mocking disappointment.
"So, Gisbourne, please inform these people. What is the punishment for helping outlaws hm?" He turned to his lieutenant.
"Hanging." Sir Guy answered while the sheriff let his head go limp signifying a hanged person.
"Exactly." The sheriff gave the hangman the signal. He took the hood and covered the girl's head. The people gasped watching the noose being tightened around her neck. "I, Vassey, the sheriff of Nottingham, in the year of the Lord lah di dah di dah." He rolled his eyes skipping through the the parts. "Now find you guilty. You may now go free." He grinned folding his hands properly in front of him.
There was a pause as silence took over the quad. Sir Guy of Gisbourne and the hangman both looked at the sheriff confused. "You mean hang, sheriff." He corrected. He nodded to the hangman who placed a foot on the stool.
"No, Gisbourne, I said go free." The sheriff repeated motioning for the hangman to stop. "As in, free as a bird." He explained.
Sir Guy now fully turned to the sheriff baffled. "You mean, her soul to free." He clarified.
"Gisbourne, are you deaf?" He exclaimed. "I said, go free. Meaning she's free to go. Which means take that hood off her and let her mill about whatever it is that people do around here." He ordered. The change of the hangman's gaze from the sheriff to Gisbourne was not lost of the former. "Now!" He commanded. "Really hard to find good people these days." He commented off hand.
"Let her go." Sir Guy waved his hand to the hangman while the sheriff happily entered the castle keep. The crowd cheered at the the sheriff's show of mercy and congratulated Eve for the first one to be spared since the sheriff took over Nottingham. Sir Guy, though, knew better. He followed the sheriff inside the castle keep immediately. "Sheriff, I thought we wanted to make an example out of her." He inquired.
The sheriff stopped in his tracks to turn and face Sir Guy. "We did. We showed mercy. When have we ever showed mercy?" He answered with a sly smile. "It shows that we are-- ahem-- nicer people. If they think we are nicer, then they would like us more. If they liked us more, they would think we are right. If they think we are right, then the people directly opposite us, namely Hood, are wrong. And if Hood is wrong, then those outlaws would lose support." He explained starting to walk to his quarters once more. "Politics Gisbourne. It's just all politics." He sang out.
"But if you weren't worried for a rescue, then why are the guards--" Gisbourne was cut off short by the sheriff shaking his head.
The
sheriff stopped to face the lieutenant again. "Gizzy Gizzy Gizzy." He
shook his head in disappointment. "I'm starting to think you were
smarter with the leper around. It isn't the escape I was preventing.
No." He started to circle the taller man. "It was the coming in." He
jabbed Gisbourne's chest with a finger. "You see, Gizzy, it occurred to
me that if Hood can take a page out of my book and kidnap me, then I
can take a page from his. Hood's little gang has to get out of that
forest they want to save their spy and when they do--" he wagged a
finger,"-- when they do, they will know what our supplies and money and
ale and wine and food feel like." The sheriff grinned. "In fact, I
don't know why I didn't think of it before. Now come along Gisbourne.
It's time to pack. We leave tonight while those outlaws lick their
wounds-- if they can even move to lick them. Oh. I like that." He
continued to happily make his way to his quarters leaving the
lieutenant standing in the hall with familiar feelings-- alone and
confused.
--
--Sherwood Forest--
They came out of nowhere.
They gang was nearing the edge of the forest closest to town when soldiers came out of the trees and started attacking them. They counted just ten at first but then there were more coming from the cleared fields in between town and the forest. Allan had just enough time to counter a power downswing with his own sword to escape serious injury. To his right, he saw Will pulling Djaq away from where she was to avoid the sword of a man that had jumped off a low branch while his grabbing his axe with another. To his left, Much was pushed backwards but was able to deflect the thrust with his shield. Carter grabbed the soldier off Much and threw him to another. Robin and Little John fared better hitting their opponents squarely with the bow and staff respectively.
"Not being funny," Allan started. "But isn't jumping out of trees our sort of thing?" He asked the gang as he hit a guard with the upswing of his sword. The man groaned with pain falling on the forest floor. But just as soon as he fell, someone else was there to take his place. Allan scanned the horizon finding no relief at sight as he avoided a lunging soldier.
A soldier clashed swords with Djaq in a deadlock. "It's called an ambush." He taunted. The Saracen kicked the man in his middle letting him stumble into Will's path. Will quickly knocked him out with a swing from his axe.
"We know." Will answered nodding to Djaq before he tangled with another soldier.
Little John stamped the bottom of his staff on a fallen soldier ensuring that he wouldn't be getting up soon. Just then, he heard a small gasp beside him. He turned just to see the man midway in a striking stance against with a dagger embedded on his chest. Carter quickly made his way through to his side with his sword at hand as more soldiers seem to flock from the edge of the woods to them. He retrieved his sword from the fallen guard just in time to duck from a wide horizontal swing coming from another's axe. Little John returned the favor he owed Carter by hitting the man right on the head. The man fell but their victory was short lived as two other soldiers started to charge for them.
Much blocked an on-coming attack with his shield and immediately thrust his sword with the other. "But what does this mean?" He asked loudly turning at the exact time a soldier was about to shoot an arrow at him. He immediately brought up his buckler in panic hearing the thuds of well placed arrows hit.
"Eve was bait mate." Allan scowled as a soldier's blade cut his arm before he could dodge it completely. He stumbled back slightly but held on to his sword. He gritted his teeth trying to block out the pain and get back into fighting. They were far too outnumbered for him to cop out now.
The soldier that hit him grinned as he readied another attack. "She'll suffer knowing that she went free while her lover boy gets captured."
"Shut up you fool!" Another soldier ordered before Djaq struck him.
The man lunged unexpectedly at an unready tavern trickster. But someone struck him from behind before he could harm Allan. The soldier dropped to the ground unveiling Much as the trickster's savior. "You hear that? She's free!" Much cheered.
But Allan wouldn't join in the celebration. His eyes grew wide at the sight of another soldier behind his friend. He pulled Much aside as he blocked a soldier's side swing intended for the smaller man with his own sword. He quickly released his two handed grip on the sword to punch the guard away. "But we're not. Is that really better?" He replied.
"It's not." Robin spied archers further back into the fields aiming for them and quickly grabbed a few arrows to fire them successively. Then he stood to block off an on coming attack with his bow. The sword went down on the wood. Robin quickly pushed it away then swung his bow so that it would hit the man's temples. There was another man heading for him. The leader of the gang quickly ended his charge with a well placed arrow. "Retreat and scatter! Midnight. Make sure you're not followed." He ordered as he loosed a few more arrows. The gang immediately started running in different directions striking down any soldiers in their way.
"Follow them! Don't let them escape!" Someone shouted
loud and clear. And just like that, guards mobilized to try and trail
the outlaws through the whole of Sherwood.
--
--Palace of Poitiers--
Queen Eleanor of Aquitaine watched in delight as her ladies in waiting and their partners danced on barefoot on the palace gardens under the Poitou stars. She herself was lounging on top of a blanket laid on the grass. She viewed as her guests seemed to be enjoying themselves in their own blankets. Some were drinking their wines while looking up to the clear night sky. Others took food from their plates and served it to their partners. While others yet were just enjoying the cool summer breeze and the music from the band behind her with their eyes closed. She picked up her own glass of wine by her side. She doesn't exactly remember who amongst her ladies in waiting had suggested a night picnic to lift her downtrodden spirits but whoever she was, that lady was a genius. She was starting to feel better already. She polished off the wine in her glass and automatically a servant filled her glass. She eyed the wine suspiciously thinking it was just the wine that was making her feel better.
She had been very upset the past days hearing that some of her friends as well as part of her court had been struck by misfortune. Several were poisoned or died mysteriously in their sleep. There were a few whose lands were ravaged by mercenaries. Some were assassinated while they were out with their loved ones. Some were simply abducted and could only presume dead as well. A lucky few had sent word that they were seriously injured. She had dismissed the whole court knowing that they would be upset and fearful. They all had been friends after all. It was funeral after funeral for the past week as reports came in about their deaths. And she had locked herself inside her quarters in the palace knowing the truth to their death. Her most loyal subjects, her secret Knights, were all gone.The report from Nottingham was proven true by the attacks. The Black Knights have penetrated even her court. She had asked the three that had gone to keep it secret and leave matters of smoking out the spies to her. But now, she knows she had failed them all.
Tonight was the first day that her court would return. At the start of the picnic she took note of who came. All courtiers that were still living were in attendance but none of her Knights. But she put on a brave front announcing that she has had the Aquitaine and Poitou armies double their efforts for the protection of its people. She could see her friends breath a sigh of relief. As the night wore on, they became more at ease and it was starting to look like her old court again. She was pleased although saddened as well. Her ability to keep her warring children at bay was demolished. Her means of ensuring her own protection was buried six feet under ground. And although she knew that there were loyal officers in her garrison, some of which were courtiers themselves, she knew she would never feel as protected as when she had the Order around to command.
The Queen took some cheese from her plate, finished her wine and sighed at the memory of a much larger and vibrant court. She would have to rebuild and be much more careful. "Careful my Queen, I would not want to see a good lady such of yourself to be taken advantage of because of too much wine. Now, if only I were not married." A familiar voice sighed behind her.
"My dear Queen, please do not mind my social climbing husband." Another woman apologized. The Queen almost felt her heart skip a beat. She quickly turned her head and followed the movements of four people walking so that they could greet her properly in front of her. For the first time in days, she felt herself smile earnestly.
"Social climbing? You are being much too generous." A dark haired man replied linking his arms with young lady to lead her forward. "I think the word is opportunist." He suggested.
"Funny, I use the word cad. It is shorter." The last of the four voiced her opinion.
The Queen watched as they formed a line to bow before her. She nodded her head in speechless greeting releasing them from their curtsies and formalities. She gazed upon the four noting that they were all looking better than dead and seriously injured, well- dressed and ready for court. They have no doubt been to to their own small quarters in the palace because their clothes looked too well to be from hours of on a horse. "Monsieur et Madame Girard, Monsieur Moreau, Mademoiselle Stone de Laurent, I thought you were not coming." She managed to say evenly.
"We have been predisposed, your majesty." Remy shrugged with a small smile.
Raoul smiled and gave the Queen a small bow. "In all honesty, Madame, this one gave us a little trouble." He waving in the general direction of the ladies.
The Queen chuckled heartily facing Evangeline's direction. "I see you still have not gotten used to the court dresses mademoiselle."
"You can take the girl from the village but you cannot take the village out of the girl." Evangeline grinned.
"Oh, Madame, not that one. She is still recovering." Raoul waved his hand. "This one." He moved to link his arm with his wife's. The comment earned him a playful slap on the shoulder with the woman's free hand.
Queen
Eleanor shook her head in amusement on how the man always seemed to
tease his wife. She gave her hand to Remy to help her stand up. She had
to clap her hands several times before the courtiers became quiet. "My
dear guests. I shall retire now. But continue without me." She
announced to the crowd. The members of Aquitaine's court showed their
respects to the Queen, which she in turn, returned. She nodded to the
four that had come late. "I feel like we have much to discuss." She
whispered to them before turning to make her way to her room.
--
Remy
Moreau met his friends' gazes before pushing against a small section of
the palace wall. The wall swiveled open on a middle axis allowing only
one to go through at any time. Remy quickly went through the secret
door and pushed it shut hoping that he and his friends were not
noticed. He entered a small dimly lit spartan sitting room heading
towards another wall. He could hear the ladies in waiting attending to
the Queen in the other side. He gave the wall one light knock. The
ladies in waiting did not seem to notice it as he heard them giggle
away to whatever it was they were talking about. He patiently took a
seat knowing this was how it always was with the Queen. Besides the
Queen was the one who summoned them.
After a few minutes waiting,
there was a knock opposite the wall. Remy smiled now knowing the
passage was unlocked. He smoothened his purple doublet and made sure
his black over coat was in order before pushing against the hidden
door. The door opened much like the previous one and he slipped in just
to be met with a familiar thin curtain that the Queen used as decor in
her private sitting room. He gently moved the curtain aside , took a
few steps forward, turned to face the only person in the room and bowed
to the Queen Mother Eleanor of Aquitaine.
"Remy, what news do you have?" The Queen asked gently.
Remy straightened adjusting his clothes slightly. He sighed when he saw the Queen in such a sad and concerned state that he was about to add upon. "My Queen, I have disturbing news. The ports are being watched by King Philippe Auguste of France and Prince John. No ship can go in and out of France and England without appropriate papers from Paris and London." He watched as Eleanor looked down on her rug in dismay.
"They seem not to want to be followed." She sighed. "Do you know where they are going?" She inquired.
Remy gave her a sad smile. "The Holy Lands, my Queen." He answered.
Queen Eleanor let her jaw drop. "An attempt on Richard again?! Oh, they are impossible." She exclaimed slapping the arm rest of her chair. Then she noted that her friend was shaking his head.
"It is not the King they are after. It is to create a mock attempt at Prince Saladin in the guise of crusaders. I think they want to create mistrust between the two parties. Break the talks and extend the war." Remy replied grimly.
"Leaving them more time to scheme at the expense of other people's lives. I'm surprised Philippe and John are seeing eye to eye." She shook her head angrily. "I simply cannot allow this to happen." She stood from her seat heading to her double doors. Remy rushed to open the door for her bowing as she passed him by to stand at the doorway. "Why, Monsieur et Madame Girard! Mademoiselle Stone de Laurent! I thought I had heard your voices out here." She acted like she was surprised to see them by the hall. "You must tell me about your trip." She said coming back into the room upset.
The three came in and paid their respects to the Queen. Remy shut the door to the room. The Queen eyed the four friends sadly. "With all that has passed, I should leave you four in peace. But I need your help one last time, my Knights." She started. "According to Remy, the Black Knights are going to attempt to harm Prince Saladin which would inevitably kill any chances of peace in the Holy Lands. They have blocked the ports from both sides of the channel so that nobody would be able to follow. Those men seem to have forgotten their geography. Raoul, to Marseilles. You are still good friends with the Count are you not? Make your way to Acre with Remy, warn Richard and prevent this from happening."
"As you wish, Madame." Raoul bowed alongside Remy.
"Camille and Evangeline shall stay here in court in case anything else comes about which I have a feeling there would." She nodded to the ladies. It was then that she noticed that the younger girl's uncertain expression. "Evangeline? Is there anything bothering you my child?" She asked.
Evangeline gave the four in the room a sheepish smile. "I just realized I have only one dagger left," she pointed to the item holding her hair in place, "and I never replaced my sword from the ambush in the road before I ever came to Aquitaine. With your permission, I would like to travel for a few days to visit a certain blacksmith." She requested.
The Queen took one look at the girl biting her lower lip and knew that the lack of distinct information was intentional. Raoul had explained that the girl had earned some doubtful connections especially after she had played the part of the thief Leigh Thornton. There was no doubt in her mind that this was going to be one of those connections. "Normally, I would ask you to get what you needed from the armoury. But seeing as you are female and much smaller, I'm sure the items will not suit you." She saw the girl grin. " I will allow you to leave. However, Solstice celebrations are in less than two weeks. I expect you to be ready for the masquerade ball." She reminded.
"And I will be back with days to spare. Thank you, Madame." She gave the Queen a low curtsy.
"No. Thank you my friends." The Queen stood up to return the honour given to her. "You are all that I have left." The four stood shocked.
Camille
was the first to recover clearing her throat so the four of them could
bow together. "It is our honour to serve you and we will always be in
your command."
--
--Outlaw's camp--
Will and Djaq were the last one to arrive in camp. They had been running and fighting all afternoon barely resting as they tried their hardest to loose the soldiers that followed them. They finally lost them after getting ahead and hiding in large hollow tree trunk and waited until nightfall when they were sure that the soldiers would have given up the search. But now that they had arrived back safely, they were immediately heart broken. Home was gone.
"I just fixed that," was all Will could say when he saw the half burnt wood that used to be their roof. He felt Djaq squeeze his hand telling him that it would be ok but he wasn't so sure. The camp had been ravaged by fire set, no doubt, by the soldiers that scoured the forest that afternoon. He remembered making the camp thinking that it would stand the test of time especially since he had built a hiding mechanism. But the soldiers had found it anyway. How they were able to find it doesn't matter now. All he can see was that his masterpiece has been burnt to the ground. He felt Djaq pull on his hand to lead him where the others were. He stumbled along trying to hold back the hot tears that had formed in his eyes.
"All that matters is that we are all safe." Djaq whispered comfortingly as they made their way to the camp fire.
Little John sighed in relief when he saw the couple come out of the woods. "You're late." He smiled.
But Will was upset. This was the second home he felt like he had lost. It had taken him some time to accept that he was not going back to Locksley. It would take him more time to get over the loss of camp especially since he had built it. Will took a seat on a log and braced his head on his hands in frustration. "Robin, what are we going to do? We can't stay here anymore." He lamented.
Robin finally stopped pacing around their camp fire. "I know." He replied gravely. He sat himself on the ground staring at the fire with one hand holding his bow upright and the other propping his chin up in deep thought. He groaned when he felt a head ache starting to form. "But we have to sort our this mess now. We can't let the sheriff be ahead for much longer. So, let's start with the things we do know." He suggested to the somber gang. "The Black Knight has spies in Aquitaine." He started.
"Prince John was in Nottingham with the Black Knights." John added.
"Which means they're scheming. Then the priest come along to say everything is ready." Much nodded. "And they had that bible they gave to the sheriff" He continued on.
Carter sighed. "Which had the names to the Knights of Aquitaine. Black Knights got to them before we could warn them." He closed his eyes sadly shaking his head.
"Hold on. Not being funny, but I think the Knights were betrayed by one of their own." Allan leaned forward. "Didn't Eva say that only the King, the Queen Mother and the other Knights knew who they were? I mean, I don't think the Queen Mother or the King would tell the Black Knights who the members were. So it's not just anyone in their court. They have a Black Knight acting White." He speculated with his expression getting darker by the minute.
Robin nodded in agreement. "That's good." He commended the ginger haired outlaw. "And the sheriff did say that the Queen was meddling in their business. The spy must have told them how."
"Well, that settles Aquitaine." Djaq noted. "But what about the things Eve wrote today. The channel ports are being watched at both sides because they did not want us following them? That doesn't make sense. If they don't want us to follow, the English ports would do. Why close the French ports?" She shrugged leaning back on the log Will was sitting on.
"Just in case?" Little John guessed.
Much's jaw dropped in shock. "They can't do that unless they have France's approval. They've made arrangements with King Philippe Auguste." He rationalized.
Will gave Much a curious look. "I thought the King of France was in good terms with King Richard. Didn't they join us in the Holy Lands?" He inquired.
"Not anymore." Carter answered. "He got sick and left only a handful of French soldiers at our command."
"And who is this 'she' Eve mentioned?" Djaq reached in her pocket taking out Eve's note. "They need her support. By solstice or they'll kill her." She read out loud.
"Can't be France. They already have France." Much pulled on his cap in frustration.
"Could be England. Another attempt on the King?" Will offered his suggestion.
Carter shook his head in disagreement. "That can't be right. They wouldn't try that again. Especially since the Prince and the King have been meeting to agree to terms. The entourage of both would be enough to kill whoever comes near. And they'll never get there by solstice even if they leave tonight." He pointed out.
Allan started to chuckle. "Well that's something I would put money on." He grinned. "Reckon who'd win? Black Knights versus Saladin's lady friends." He raised his hand. "I say the ladies." He announced before wincing in pain. He had forgotten that his arm was injured.
"No. It's not England they're after" Robin's eyes grew wide. Suddenly, it was all so clear. "It's Aquitaine." He stood up lost in his own thoughts. "They need Aquitaine's support. The Queen might not have the Knights but she has the whole army. They closed up the ports so nobody can get in or out of France without their knowledge-- especially us. If he gets the Queen's support he'll finally have an army to fight for him." He realized as the Black Knights' plan started unraveling in his head.
"To put your own mother in the dungeons is one thing. But to actually kill your own mother... That is revolting." Much muttered in disdain.
"That I do not like." John said standing up himself.
"Robin," Will interrupted the gang's cook before he could continue on in a full rant. "The Queen Mother has a party on Summer Solstice." He reminded him the reason why Evangeline couldn't stay in Nottingham any longer.
"That must be how they're getting in." Robin acknowledged rubbing his chin while pacing. "We have to go to Poitiers to stop them. We can only assume that Robert Thatcher is gone so we can't send her a message. We have to go there ourselves." He stopped pacing to meet the gazes of his friends. One by one they silently showed their agreement.
Djaq gave the man a worried look. "How are we going to France with the ports being watched. We have no papers."
Carter stood up and dusted his pants. "We don't need papers." He revealed. "We can get out of England the same way Eva did. We use Falmouth and land in Saint Malo. Eva introduced me to one of the ship's captains when I went with her the last time." He continued sadly remembering the last time he saw her. He tried to shake the feeling away before it takes over him again. Then he gave Robin a concerned expression. "But once we get to Saint Malo, I doubt that the captain will help us any more. We'll have to make our own way out to actual Brittany. Eva said St. Malo was a haven for rogues. They have no loyalty to any country but the island fort even if they are technically French." He warned the gang.
"Then we should be very comfortable there." Robin Hood replied dryly. He gave the people around him a cheeky smile. For the first time in a long time, Robin felt like they were finally getting ahead of the Black Knights' scheme. "What do you say gang? Let's go save the Queen."
--
Note: The sheriff has to win sometimes right? On an unrelated tangent, I wish someone made a decent "it's the legend with a modern twist" series on the three musketeers...