Here
is Chapter 28
It was a lot longer but I have decided to chop it in
half and do it as two chapters as I wanted to end on a dramatic
bit.
I will refine the next bit over the next couple of days
Hope
you like it!
Thanks for the comments everyone.
CHAPTER 28
The Sheriff had grumbled and walked as slowly as possible all the way to the strong room. John had 'reminded' him with a jab to the back using his staff on a number of occasions to speed up. With each jab the Sheriff had hissed and mumbled. His broken nose made it difficult to understand what he was saying but Robin guessed that they weren't words of compliment.
The smoke was getting really thick now. Its acrid smell burned down the back of his throat and making him cough. Evidently the fire was still burning fiercely. Robin wondered again who had started it and if it had been an accident then what fortuitous timing! He looked at John whose face was set grimly. He was worrying about Will and Djaq. They were like a son and daughter to him in the absence of his own family and he was fiercely protective of them.
Eventually they reached the familiar corridor to the strong room, their captor making much noise as he stamped his feet. There were only two torches lit along this corridor making it appear very dim and dank. There were two guards stood at the doorway. Clearly the two prisoners inside were deemed precious enough to use two guards even when manpower was needed for fire fighting thought Robin. He grimaced to himself; a harsh price for being loyal to him and the king!
When they first saw the Sheriff the guards sprang to attention. However they quickly realised that the Sheriff was being forced down the corridor by Robin and John and with a flourish they drew their swords with feared looks on their faces. "DON'T EVEN THINK ABOUT ATTACKING!" yelled John and jabbed the Sheriff to his knees with his staff. "He dies before you get here." he said slowly.
The guards lowered their swords. "Now, listen carefully please." said Robin. "First lay down your weapons five paces in front of you and throw forward a pair of manacles so that I can make the good Sheriff more comfortable." He waited patiently as the guards looked towards the furious Sheriff with questioning eyes. "Do it you stupid jesters!" hissed the sheriff.
The guards carefully put their swords on the floor and threw a pair of manacles forward which John retrieved. He took great pleasure in clamping the manacles on the Sheriffs wrists behind his back and hauling him roughly up by them. Robin smiled at the guards. "Good to see that you are cooperating lads! Now if you would be so kind as to toss forward your keys my friend John will be delighted to lull you off to sleep in his own special way."
John looked at Robin "Sleep?" he said questioningly. "Yes John…sleep! Now don't make them wait for it." replied Robin keeping his bow firmly trained on the Sheriff. John didn't need to ask a second time. He lunged forward and using both ends of his staff dealt a quick blow to each of the guards heads. They slumped against each other out cold on the stone floor.
"Hood, you won't get out of here alive. When you open that strong room door your friends will already be dead!" cackled the Sheriff this time earning a vicious backhand from Robin. "SHUT UP VASEY!" he yelled. The Sheriff slumped forward too, out cold for the moment. He wouldn't be troubling them for a few minutes
Robin let him be for the moment and grabbed the keys off the floor. He strode forward and inserted them one by one into the lock until there was a satisfying click as the door opened. Robins heart was pounding. What lay beyond this door? Were they alive or dead inside? He slowly opened it and peered into the gloom his eyes adjusting to the dim light.
A small emotional voice called out to him. "Robin, John…help me…he is dying!" Robin had never heard Djaq being so emotional and drained. As his vision came clearer he saw Wills prone form slumped against Djaq who was at the wall opposite visibly trembling from emotion and exhaustion.
Will was motionless and if it wasn't for some shallow breathing he appeared to be dead. Robin had never seen his trusted friend so injured before. The bruising on his chest was appalling and evidence of severe torture. Guy and the Sheriff would pay dearly for this! He rushed forwards and knelt down beside Will and Djaq feeling John follow him. "Djaq, we need to get the two of you out of here. Can we move Will?" he said looking at her battered and tear streaked face. Now wasn't the time for worry and regret. That would come later. Now was the time to get everyone out of the castle and safely back to the camp.
Djaq reached out a small trembling hand to Robin. He grabbed it and gave it a reassuring squeeze. Djaq was bubbling over with emotion. "If we are to move him we must be careful. Any small knock could do further untold damage…Robin I need to tell you something…about Much…he is dead!"
