"Sheriff!" Catrine yelled at the top of her voice, cantering along the road. The Sheriff and Sir Mathew stopped their progress and spun around, confused by Catrine's agitation. Her horse snorted as she reined it in, pulling it to a skidding halt.
Catrine panted, catching her breath, "Sheriff… It's Guy… outlaws came out of the forest… and he was thrown from his horse… too many of them… We have to save him… or else… he could be…" She choked on her breath again.
Sir Mathew sat up straight, staring at Catrine with a slight smile, "So Nottingham's best lieutenant falls prey to his own unruly outlaws. How ironic."
The Sheriff spun his horse around nervously, "Outlaws! Gisborne had to go and get captured by outlaws! Well, outlaws, sheriffs and strong boxes don't mix. Get me out of here!"
Catrine shook her head frantically, "Guy needs our help!"
"We'll send him troops at the crossroads. Now, GET ME OUT OF HERE!" the Sheriff yelled, straining forward in his saddle.
Looking frantically at Sir Mathew for help, Catrine uttered a troubled sob. Sir Mathew said nothing and shrugged. Catrine moved her horse closer to Sir Mathew, sitting right along side him, still begging for his help silently.
The Sheriff stared down Catrine, "You wouldn't want to crack under pressure the first time I put you in charge of something, now would you? You're husband will be fine. Now SAVE ME!"
Catrine sniffed, "Some would say that such a request is… overbearing… Sheriff." With that, she pulled out her curved dagger from her sleeve and leaned over to Sir Mathew beside her.
With a swipe, she cut away Sir Mathew's filled purse of 200 crowns and spurred her horse into a run back down the road. Sir Mathew's horse staggered back from the action, almost throwing its rider off balance.
"Lady Gisborne! Come back here!" the Sheriff yelled after her. But she was already gone.
