Robin groaned and opened his eyes. The first thing he noticed was the throbbing in his side. He glanced down and saw, to his relief, that it was not bleeding, though he knew that if he didnt get it treated soon, infection would set in.
He tried to stretch, but couldnt move. He glanced up at his wrists and found the cause.
Thick iron shackles covered his wrists, attatched to the wall by iron chains. He knew it was useless to pull against them, but couldnt help giving an involuntary tug to make sure of what he already knew.
He needed o make a plan... needed to get out of here. Maybe.. Maybe he could... His thoughts were cut short as a sharp pain racked his body, seeming to emanate from his side. He knew he had to stay awake, but the darkness that threatened to cloak him was so inviting... so welcoming... and he was so tired... Robins eyes closed, and his head fell back against the wall, as the pain made him fall, yet again, into a dreamess, pain fueled slumber.
John kicked out at the roots of the oak tree in frustration.
It had taken him and Will until the sun had set beyond the skies edge to reach the rendezvous point, where they had wasted no time in informing their fellows of what had happened. They told them of Jasons cowardice, culminating in his expulsion from the group. If only for the fact that he broke one of the rules.
They told the group of Robin's bravery and of his capture. They had not let anyone rest until they had agreed to help free Robin, and although they hastily agreed, John could see in their eyes that they believed they would fail.
He refused to give in to such thoughts, and had spent every hour the next day with the other men, planning how they would get him out, and preparing for the task. Several men had gone hunting, and had taken several hours to return. Even then, John could not help comparing their meagre catch to what Robin could have hunted in the same amount of time.
Now that he thought about it, the camp did not seem as lively without him. He had joined them no longer than a week ago, yet he had insinuated himself into their lives as assuredly as if he had been their for years. He knew that the other men felt his loss too, but none so much as him and Will.
The three of them had become fast friends since Robins arrival, though he had been friends with Will for months before Robins arrival. Robin seemed to have bought them closer.
Therin lay his frustration. They had planned to stage their plan on Robins inevitable execution day, meaning it would be easier to get him and get out.
They planned to hide in plain sight, in the crowds, as it was not uncommon for people to wear hoods in the crowd. The plan was simple but would no doubt be effective, even if it was incredibly risky.
If they managed to close the gates before they got out... No. He would not think such thoughts. The plan would work. It had to. Even if he would not be joining them.
He had argued for ages with the men, saying that his ankle would be fine by the time the day came, that he needed to be there. They wouldnt agree. They thought it would be dangerous, as it was well known that an ankle as badly twisted as his would be easy to damage again. They had told him he had to stay, and they meant it.
He had pretended to reluctantly go along with it, whilst all along knowing he would make his own plans, and be in that courtyard. If everything went to plan, he would not be needed, but if somethng went wrong, he would be ready.
The men had realised that John wanted to help and so had told him to accompany Will to find out the day that the execution was set for, so he was sat waiting for Will to grab his weapons and generally get ready to leave.
It seemed like forever, but it was, in reality, just a few more minutes before they were both on their way.
When they were safely out of earshot, John informed Will of his plan to which Will reluctantly agreed, promising not to tell the rest of the men. John could tell that his reluctance stemmed from his longing to keep John out of harms way, and to be at his back if needed.
However, he also knew how much it would hurt John to be unable to help Robin, so he had ageed to it. They walked for just over an hour, until the sun had nearly reached its peak in the sky, before they came to the edge of the forest.
It was there that they separated. Will to find the information that the group sought, and John heading in the direction of where the Hooded Bandit was said to live, a small village near to his own home, Loxley.
Robin had been awake for only a few minutes, when he heard keys jangle in the lock to his cell.
He grimaced as the Sheriff walked into his cell.
"Ah, good. You're awake. I just wished to nform you that your execution has been set for two days hence."
He looked at Robin with a calculating look on his face that Robin was unable to explain.
"What do you want?" Robin asked, pleased at the tone in his voice, one of sneering indifference, "You caught the Hooded Bandit, and you have told me all that I care to hear. What else do you need from me?"
He saw the Shriffs expession clear as he made a decision.
"One thing," he said, in a strange, questioning tone of voice. "What was the name of your father?"
Robin started, of all the things he had expected, that was far from his mind. Why would the Sheriff care?
It was with caution that he replied,
"Robert". He could not explain the shocked expression that crossed the Sheriffs face, before he hid it behind a blank facade, nor the following question,
"Where was he from?"
He could only answer, as he saw not what the Sheriff could gain from it.
"Loxley." He got irritated as the same expression crossed the Sheriffs face, coupled with a look of reluctant acceptance, and continued. "As was my grandfather, who to the best of my knowledge also had the name Robert. As to my fathers current wherabouts, It is my belief that he died during the holy crusade led by our monarch, Richard the Lionheat. Does this information please you Sheriff? Is there anything else you require?"
He was not prepared for the look of recognition that crossed the Sheriffs face as he looked down at him, nor the soft spoken reply,
"Nay lad, on both counts. Though I am not at all surprised. Only one other I knew had such contempt for those with authority".
He was also unprepared, though relieved, when the Sheiff turned and left the cell, locking it behind him and heading back the way he came, leaving Robin to think upon all that had just happened and trying to puzzle out the Sheriffs reactions.
