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Part 37

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The gang were victorious as they headed back to camp with new guests to introduce Marian to. They had come across Allan leading a group of mercenaries through the forest and had taken the food supply without any of the people train battling an eyelid. Well, that was with the exception of the odd man or two that they had knocked out to obtain the food. Then they had placed it in their secret food store in the heart of the forest.

However they had been taken by surprise by Robin and Much's fellow comrades of the King's guard, where a short fight ensued until Robin recognised them. Then they told Robin the reason for their visit and need to locate him with the message from the King. Via a quick trip to Nottingham to see a wealthy merchant named Paxton the gang arrived back at the camp, with four extra men.

"You've been busy," Marian commented as they all gathered round.

"Where is your father?" Robin asked anxiously.

"Out, he wanted to walk alone, why?" she asked, her brow frowning.

"We need to work out what the map means and then search for whatever we are searching for," Much told her, a riddle in itself.

She shook her head at him and Robin produced the maps. Between them the group worked out where the map was meant to represent. Hathersage Heath. Time was of the essence and Robin looked at Marian.

"You coming?" She bit her lip, looking out of the camp and back to her husband who said. "Where did he say he was going?"

Marian with a shrug replied. "I do not know, but he knows that we will be back later and he is not fit to go with us," decision made she, grabbed her weapons and followed them out of the camp to help locate the treasure.

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It was by luck more than anything else, that Edward came upon Sir Guy and Allan as they raided Robin's secret food store. He remained hidden in the foliage listening to their verbal exchange and wondered why Allan had felt the need to tattle this piece of information to Gisborne, when surely he must realise how the poor people of Nottingham relied on Robin's charity. In a quandary of whether to return to the camp to fetch Robin or follow the men, he chose the latter. He did not reach Locksley until the last sack of grain was being loaded into the wooden building. He watched and waited for the right moment to approach Allan a Dale.

Timing it seemed was everything, Sir Edward watched as Guy went off to the other end of the village deep in conversation with a guard before he made his move. He edged closer and took the guard by surprise giving him a headache to remember, then opened the wooden door and slid into the storage area. It looked like harvest with all the food lined up in neat rows. Edward shook his head; this food should be given to the poor, not those who were already full on life's pleasures. For a split second he wondered just how he was going to manage to secure the grain to a safe place alone, or at least until Robin and the gang could move it to a new secret storehouse.

Snoring coming from one wall had him halting in his tracks, he looked and there on a rough hewn bench was the traitor Allan asleep. Maybe Allan could help, he was strong and young unlike himself and he owed it to Robin as well. Edward nudged him in the ribs, gently at first and then with more oomph.

"What? What you playing at?" Allan whined as he opened his eyes. "Oh it's you. What are you doing here? Guy could come back at any moment. It is not safe. Where's Robin? Is he here?"

"There is not much time I know. This food belongs to the people not Guy's men. I need you to help me store it somewhere, after all you were the one who told Gisborne of Robin's hiding place. You have to help me."

"You are alone? Are you insane? I will get my neck slit. I am trying to help Robin here and if it means having to give something to Gissy now and again …well that is just the way it is."

"You did not need to give him the information of the location of the store."

"Yes I did, he was getting suspicious, anyway I can't help you and that is that. Your best option is to get out of here before he sees you." Allan advised.

"If you will not help me then I will do it alone." Edward replied, stubbornly. He went to one sack and dragged with effort across the floor towards the door, perspiration dripped from his body but he was determined to take it all back.

At last he reached the door but as he went for the handle the door crashed open and Edward was sent sprawling onto the floor winded.

"What's going on here?" Guy demanded looking to Allan for answers.

"He went for me, caught me from behind," Allan said covering his back as usual.

Guy looked unsure at him but let it go as he kicked Edward hard in the ribs and yelled. "On your feet." Edward staggered and stood before Sir Guy. "I have been looking for you."

"Well now you have found me." Edward replied.

"Yes," sighed Gisborne. "Where is Marian?"

"I have no idea," Edward replied truthfully.

"But you have seen her since she left the castle haven't you?" Gisborne responded, spitting in the old man's face as he spoke.

Edward was eyeing the door and the sack of grain still determined to get both that and himself out the door. Gisborne laughed and pushed Edward back so that he lost his balance and toppled over and lay in a crumpled heap upon the floor.

"Not so high and mighty now are you Sir Edward?" he rapped out, still angry that the whereabouts of Marian had not been disclosed.

Edward didn't reply and used his strength to catch Guy unaware and he fell over a wooden bench. Edward crawled to his feet and grabbed Allan's sword, in return Gisborne drew his from its sheath and both men looked at each other with deadly expressions. One of them had to die.

"Hey!" protested the smaller man but Edward was not listening and nor was Guy.

Blade caught blade as Edward began the fight, they parried and they defended, they caught each other causing small nicks to their faces but ploughed onwards. Edward's strength was failing fast but he would not let the younger and stronger man see that as he continued. Suddenly his foot slipped and he fell onto the floor, Gisborne was in a rage of fury and his blade slipped easily and without thought straight through the older man's heart.

"Guy!" Allan exclaimed.

Guy seemed to come to his senses; he pulled the sword from the man on the floor and left the barn. Allan shaken knelt at Sir Edward's side, his breath was coming in shallow whispers and he said to Allan shakily and pained as he drew his last breath. "Tell my daughter I loved her very much."