"Now, let me get this straight," Allan commented, referring to the story Tuck had just told. "Robin doused you with water, tricked you into carrying Much on your back across a stream, then made you cross back again so you could carry him too, but you tricked him by dumping him in the water when you were halfway across? Good one!"
Tuck nodded. "And didn't he come up sputtering! But he only stayed angry a moment, and then I learned what he was made of!"
"I know what he's full of," Allan joked, "but what's he made of?"
"Kindness, generosity, good humor, and nobility," Tuck answered, smiling affectionately at Robin. "You see, once he realized I'd tricked him in turn, he laughed heartily, and we became friends. Didn't we, Cock Robin?"
"I haven't been called that since I was a boy," Robin said, smiling. "And Allan, not a word! But, yes, I suppose that marked the beginning of our friendship."
"And Robin," Much added, "don't forget the part about your father showing up, with Thornton. The Earl was fit to be tied, because he actually caught Tuck dumping his son and heir right into the stream."
"But wasn't the whole point of Robin being there so that he could go swimming anyway?" Djaq asked.
"Not in his clothes," Tuck explained. "At first glance, his garments didn't appear out of the ordinary, but they were of the finest cut and fabrics. I ruined them, you see, but Robin refused to let his father chide me. That impudent boy whom I mistakenly thought was so spoiled, boldly faced his father and took the blame for my action."
"Seemed only fair," Robin said, grinning sheepishly, "after making you breathe so hard, wading through the stream with Much, and then me, on your back."
Allan took another swig of ale, then blurted out, "Since it's such a day for stories, I ever tell you lads the one about-"
"Not in front of the boy," Marian quickly silenced him.
"Naw, this is a real story, not one of my more excitin' tales. I couldn't help but think how different Robin's upbringin' was from Giz's."
"What do you know about Gisbourne's past, Allan?" Robin asked, turning suspicious and grim.
"Ah, not much. But one night, Giz grew talkative, which was weird, since usually, he was a man of few words. And he told me how he and Vaisey linked up."
A hush seemed to fall over the forest. Robin leaned forward, the look in his eyes turning dangerous. "Tell us, Allan," he said, his voice low.
Marian laid her hand over her husband's arm. "Perhaps we should take Bat for a walk," she suggested. "I think he's heard enough stories for one day. Haven't you, dear?"
Bat nodded his head, and Robin resigned himself to the wisdom in Marian's words. "Alright, my love," he agreed rising, knowing that Much would fill him in later anyway. That is, if Much would be able to remember the details of Allan's story and not mix them up with something else.
"Lovely little family," Tuck sighed, watching the trio depart.
"Bat's not their's," Kate spat out, bitterness coating her tone.
"No? Pity. Well, I'm sure it won't be long," Tuck chuckled. "But back to your story. I confess, I always wondered how two such inhuman people could join forces."
Allan took another drink and began his tale.
"Giz told me it happened in York. Vaisey, rising from obscurity, was climbin' through the ranks, gettin' richer and more powerful, but his methods earned him enemies, if you know what I mean. No surprises there, but he needed a protector, and picked one out from the young men trainin' to be knights.
"Giz himself was down on his luck, having lost his lands to the church, 'cause of his father. He had some money in his purse from sellin' his sister, though who would buy her musta been a rank dumbass. He also had his father's sword, but nothin' else. So, he made his way to the city, and presented himself for trainin'. His title was enough to admit him, but the others trainin' laughed at him behind his back.
"You can imagine how Giz took that. Told me he couldn't wait for his chance to show them all.
"One day, he was scheduled to practice fightin' the one Vaisey had his eye on, and not bein' funny, but I don't need to explain all that meant! This rich boy was the strongest and loudest of the lot makin' sport of Giz. He was like a third son or somethin', with nothin' to inherit, so Vaisey thought it'd be easy to convince him to work for him, with a little persuasion.
"Vaisey was there to watch his 'champion' fight, and he didn't know anything yet about Giz.
"Giz told me the buggar fightin' him taunted him to his face, quietly though, so nobody else could hear. But then, Giz 'showed' him. He brought his sword down on his head, and told me it was beautiful to watch the blood dripping from his helmet. And then, since the boy was down, he kept beatin' on him and beatin' on him, until he...he sliced him clean through.
"The master teachin' 'em all was screamin' for Giz to stop, and sent guards to pull him off. Giz said he didn't care what happened to him. He'd had his revenge, and showed everyone what would happen if they mocked him again. But he was hauled off to the dungeon. Then, at his trial, Vaisey was there, witnessing for him. Lied, sayin' he saw the fight and that Giz only slew the buggar in self defense. And the sheriff and nobles believed him, and let Giz go free.
"And that's how they met, with Vaisey impressed by Giz, singling him out as the one he wanted to protect him."
Allan looked around at the sober faces of the outlaws. "Oi! Don't look so grim! I'm only tellin' you what Giz told me!"
Kate hadn't been listening. She hated Gisbourne, and couldn't care less about his past. Her piercing eyes followed the path Robin had followed as he strolled away with Marian and Bat.
" 'Lovely little family,' " the fat friar had called them. Damn! She'd show Robin! She'd burn the Pact tonight, and that would make him take notice of her!