Disclaimer: Still don't own Robin Hood, or the characters
Author's Note: I know next to nothing about Saracen cities in the 1100s so this is definitely not historically accurate.
The Saracen City
Bells were ringing. Their triumphant sound echoed through the city. It reached the ears of a young Saracen maiden studying in her room. The young woman flew down the stairs. She had to find out what was going on. The door was only steps away, almost there…
"Saffiya" a stern voice called. She sighed, she had been so close. Now, doubtless, she'd be given even more studying to do. It was so unfair, she couldn't do anything here. Not for the first time she wished she had been born a boy. But to her surprise Bassam merely smiled and said
"Wear your cloak." Saffiya didn't hesitate. She grabbed her dark green cloak and ran out of the house, fastening the clasp as she went.
She headed towards the town center where most of the commotion was coming from. The outskirts of the square alone were so packed that she could see that it would be nearly impossible to get anywhere near the middle, which was where the source of all the commotion was. She sighed and looked around. As she did an idea struck her. Within a minute she was on top of a nearby house surveying the scene in front of her.
Saffiya lay at the edge of the roof staring at the town center laid out before her like a map. In the middle of the square was a small unoccupied circular area with something at its center. She pulled a spyglass from a concealed pocket in her dress. She had to see more.
The unoccupied circle was soon explained. There were several armed and serious soldiers keeping the crowd away from the object in the center. Saffiya then turned her spyglass, and her attention, to that object.
The 'object' was an unconscious young Englishman with dark brown hair, chained to a post. Why all this excitement over such a trivial event. She couldn't see what was so special about this man. He could be a soldier she supposed but, he wore no uniform. He looked more like an errand boy, or maybe some rich crusader's servant, but nothing important enough to cause such a commotion. It was then that she saw the insignia on his right shoulder. She gasped and nearly dropped the spyglass as she realized the cause of all the excitement. This man was very important indeed.
He was one of the Archer's men.
The Crusader Camp
Robin also heard the bells ringing. But to him they were not triumphant. Instead they signified that the Saracens were up to something. He called a meeting in his tent. Allan was the last one there. The troublemaker looked unusually worried.
"Robin" he started "I-"
"Tell me later Allan."
"But Robin-"
"Robin told you to shut up!" Carter interrupted. Allan glared at him but did as he was told. No one ignored Carter. Robin got right down to business.
"We need to find out the reason all those bells are ringing. I think that- Allan, where's Will? I told you to tell him we were having a meeting."
"That's what I've been trying to tell you!" Allan burst out. "I can't find him anywhere!"
"What do you mean?" Much asked "There aren't that many hiding places around here"
"I don't think he's even in camp." Allan insisted "No one has seen him since this morning. I think he's been captured. That could explain your bells Robin."
"It's an interesting theory" Robin agreed "Let's go check it out."
Six cloaked figures snuck across the desert and climbed the walls of the Saracen stronghold. From there the leader pulled out a spyglass and looked over the wall. He saw what he was looking for and then passed the instrument around. Their worst fears were confirmed.
Will Scarlett had been captured.
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