Chapter 11

Italy – 17th may

"As promised Lady Marian." The Captain smiled as they arrived in the port of Ancona. "You are lucky."

"Why is that?" Marian said as Carter gathered the bags.

"We are about 2/3 of the way up Italy, meaning less way for you to travel."

"Well I guess we are lucky." Marian smiled, the boat was tethered up the to dock and the crew began to unload the ship.
"Do you want some help?" Carter asked.
"No, no. you two head on your way. You have a long journey still ahead of you." The captain smiled. Marian hugged the man and Carter shook his hand.

"We cannot thank you enough." Marian said.

"Your welcome, Marian, now that way is where you will find the horses. They will not be cheap mind."

"Don't worry, we will be ok." Carter said, they waved goodbye and they headed to the ports stables to find some horses.

"Do you speak English?" Carter asked as they arrived at the stables.
"A little." The stable owner replied. Marian looked around the horses, Italian horses were fine boned. They would be quick but not good for long distances, these horses would not last them long.

"2 horses please." Carter said.

"50 pennies."

"For the 2?"

"No, No each."

"100 pennies. That's nearly half a pound." Marian gasped. She had spent money on horses before but this was a lot for fine boned horses.

"100 pennies, or nothing." The man said and then turned his back to walk away.

"Wait." Marian shouted. "Pay him Carter."
"But Marian that is half our money."
"We need horses."

"Very well." Carter sighed. "Here." He counted the coins into the man's hand while Marian tied the bags to the horses.
"Grazie." The man smiled as Carter and Marian walked there horses out of the town and north towards the border.

"So we head north to the french border. Once we get there we head to lyon. And then north to calais." Carter said.
"We can't." Marian said. "We will run out of money before we even reach Lyon."

"So what do you suggest?"

"I have a friend in Bavaria. Count fredrick. He will help us."

"Marian we are heading in the wrong direction if we go to Germany."

"Do you have a better idea?" Marian asked. Carter shook his head.

"No."

"Right, we follow the coast until we reach venice, then we travel north over the moutains and into the bottom of Austria, we travel through there then into Germany to Bavaria." Marian pointed it out to Carter on the map the Captain had given her.

"Lets go." Carter said.

Sherwood Forest

"Well lads, I think that was a good day's work." Robin smiled as he planted himself down onto a log looking at the bags around him the gang had collected.

"Well the lords in the trip were more than accommodating." Allan laughed.

"And it was like shooting fish in a barrel with that small convoy." Much laughed and patted Adam on the shoulder.

"Well done." Robin smiled. "I think tonight deserves a feast to celebrate!"

"We are eating here tonight?" Adam asked.

"Unless you have an invitation with the Sheriff yes. Why?" Robin laughed

"You've forgotten already!" Adam gasped.

"Forgotten what?"

"She's been dead 5 months and you've already forgot about her. Well I haven't and I'm not going to be late." Adam said and then stormed from the camp towards Locksley. Robin shook his head shocked at Adam's sudden outburst, he knew Adam was still raw over Marian and Mark's deaths. Robin began to empty the bags into the chests and then stopped instantly dropping the bag.

"Allan, what day is it?" He asked, paling suddenly.

"17th."
"Of what month."
"May."

"Oh no."

"Marian's birthday." Much gasped. "I can't believe we all forgot."

"I didn't forget I knew." Robin defended, "I just didn't know it was today."

"So where has Adam gone?"

"Sophia has organised a gathering." Robin explained having been told about this by Sophia a week or so ago. "They are meeting a Locksley to send lanterns into the water." Robin shook his head. "We need to go now."

"But what about our feast." Much said. Robin looked at him. "Marian, right got it."

Locksley

Adam reached Locksley just as the sun was beginning to set. "Adam you made it." Sophia smiled.

"I told you I would." Adam smiled.

"Where is Robin?"

"He's…" Adam was cut off by an out of breath Robin running into Locksley behind him.

"Late, as usual." Robin smiled. "Sorry." The gang arrived moments after him.

"It's alright Robin, better late than never." Sophia smiled to him. Everyone took turns lighting there lantern and then Robin sent his into the water first, followed by the rest of the group.

"Happy birthday Wren." Robin whispered.