NOTTINGHAM CASTLE
As the third fanfare ripped through the air Vaisey lifted his head, distracted by the noise.
Guisborne took the opportunity to slam his foot against the man's groin, sending him staggering backwards with a shout of pain.
Guy rolled to grab his sword and then was back on his back in time to block the downwards swing of Vaisey's sword that was hurtling towards his neck.
It stopped and inch from the front of his throat.
With all his energy Guy shoved the blade away and spun to stand upright.
He let out a roar of anger.
Vaisey sneered and laughed in sick delight, he ducked under Guy's sword, letting it sweep a foot above his head.
Vaisey slammed the hilt of his sword against Guys shoulder.
"Humanity has always been your weakness Guisborne." He snapped and struck Guy again.
"It has always been your failing…"
"Argh!" Guy screamed in pain.
"I tried to teach you, but you were so weak."
Vaisey spun to dart down all the stairs and into the dungeons near the cloisters, which is where they were now.
Guisborne shot in after him, but skidded to a stop.
They circled one another in the large cell, with the bench in the centre, the moonlight pooling in from the grate in the ceiling.
"You know I loved you like a son." Vaisey hissed, "The very cold image of me…"
Guy said nothing, but his eyes sparked in surprise.
"And you loved me, like a father once."
Guy let out a roar and swung his sword down towards the man.
NOTTINGHAM CASTLE – THE GREAT HALL
Prince John drew his hands abruptly away from Marian's neck.
She gasped at the loss of his touch, and the blistering heat that it had been putting on her throat.
Her head was spinning.
She blinked to stop herself from keeling over.
She needed air, and cool water.
She needed sleep.
Benjamin led the applause from the watching nobles as Prince John nodded his head and washed his hands thoroughly.
Robin stared at the scene through the gap in the curtain to where they were hidden at the back of the hall, as Prince John sat down.
The fourth fanfare blared through the air as he reclined backwards, staring down dismissively at Benjamin and Marian.
"Is the woman cured?" He almost sneered.
Benjamin took a step towards Marian. He stared at her neck.
He almost swallowed.
"Err... No."
Prince John's eyes grew wide as the nobles gasped, and Robin sneered a laugh at the man's face.
"The woman is not cured." Benjamin said.
Prince John sucked in a breath, "How can this be?"
Robin sneered a laugh and a smile at him.
Prince John pushed himself upright to glare down furiously at Marian.
"How can this be?" He bellowed.
Marian flinched visibly at the force of his voice.
Robins smile vanishe
The nobles, murmuring and whispering, closed a circle around Benjamin and Marian as Prince John stormed down towards her.
She was blocked from his sight.
Robin's eyes were furious.
NOTTINGHAM CASTLE
The sound of a trumpet tore through the castle.
John and Will looked at one another where they were pouring the last of the gold into their sacks.
They had visited every room they nobles were occupying, and had three sacks of coins.
"That is five." John said.
Will nodded and grabbed a bag.
"Let's go."
NOTTINGHAM CASTLE – THE GREAT HALL
"I order you to be cured!" Prince John screamed down at Marian.
She was unmoving, eyes locked blearily on the wood in front of her.
Robin moved from their hiding place with his bow drawn.
Prince John was incensed.
"I order you to be cured!"
Marian heard Robin's bow draw back.
She ducked.
The arrow sailed clean above her head and slammed into the back of the throne prince John had been sat on.
Benjamin pointed wildly at it.
"Oh no, no it can't be!" He shouted.
"What?" Prince John spun, praying by some miracle it was a sign that the girl had been cured or a sign that it was his divine right…
"What is it?"
He and all the other guests stared at the arrow.
"Robin Hood!" Prince John shouted.
Benjamin grabbed Marian's arm and helped her to her feet.
He rushed with her through the murmuring crowd and across the hall towards where Robin, Tuck and Djac were waiting.
Robin ushered them out.
"Come on."
"The door." Tuck said as they ran outside, turning to slam and bolt it shut.
"Kill him!" Prince John screamed too late.
"Kill him!"
"After them!"
NOTTINGHAM CASLTE
Robin led the group of his men and Benjamin through the cloisters and dungeons, aware that there were men running after them.
"Come on!" He shouted.
Marian's mind was spinning, but she managed to run along with them, ditching her cloak and wrap for her hair as they went.
She felt hot and stifled, and was gasping for breath as she slowed to a walk as they reached the trap door where the others were waiting.
She rested her hands on her knees and took in deep lungful's of air.
"Come on." Will helped Djac down, before sliding down the rope after her.
"Go on." Robin pushed Much forwards.
Alan and Tuck followed.
Robin glanced at his wife.
"Marian?"
She took in another breath and glanced at him.
He took her elbow, "Come on that's it."
She was not well, Robin was sure of it.
He followed her down the rope, and set off at a run after her and the others as John laded beside him.
NOTTINGHAM CASTLE
"You are weak Guisborne!" Vaisey screamed as he swung his sword down towards Guisborne.
They curled one another in the cell.
"NO!"
Prince John skidded to a stop in front of the cloisters, surrounded by his men, at Guisborne's shout.
He caught sight of the tunnel and trap door that Robin Hood had used to escape, marked by the inflicted woman's clothing lying discarded on the floor.
Prince John was humiliated and furious.
He was surprised to see Vaisey and Guisborne both alive, staring at him from inside the cell.
He did not particular like surprises.
"You are both still alive?" He sneered.
They were gasping for breath, staring at him.
"Well this is turning into a very disappointing evening." The prince muttered.
He ground his teeth together and pointed jaggedly at the pair of them after clicking his fingers.
"Guards." He snapped.
"Strip them of their weapons and lock them in a cell, whoever survives the longest without food or water can have their freedom."
The guards moved forwards as Prince John stalked away back to the great hall.
"No sire!" Guisborne bellowed as the black elite guards shoved and struggled with them.
"Get off me!" Vaisey shouted.
"Sire!"
