Chapter 5

"Lady Locksley, may I enter?" The Kings new captain was outside her tent.

"Yes of course." Marian said, she was sitting on her bed at a loss of what to do.

"My lady." The Captain said as he bowed. Marian nodded her head.

"How can I help?" Marian asked.

"The king wanted me to let you know that there will be extra guards around your tent for the foreseeable future."

"Why is that?"

"Although the king wants peace and talks of a cease fire. There are many men in the Saracen Army who do not want that to happen. You saw for yourself the first-hand how people can be recruited." Marian nodded remembering the two men the Sheriff had managed to persuade. "The king has concerns for your safety as he thinks there may be attacks on this camp. They will raid any tent they can and he wants nothing more than to keep you safe until you are fit to leave."

"I see." Marian said unsure of what else to say.

"My second in command will be the leader of your private guard. You have a few members of the king's private guard. Carter will be stationed inside your tent. The rest outside of it."

"And what about the king?" Marian asked, "If I have his guard who will protect him?"

"Do not worry my lady. We have more than enough to protect the king, our main concern is you."

"What is your name?" Marian asked.
"Lucas, my lady."

"Well thank you Lucas, I really appreciate it." Marian smiled her thanks.

"Marcus will be along shortly to introduce himself."

"Who is Marcus?"

"He is my second in command, the man in charge of your guard."

"Oh I see. Thank you Lucas."

"Your welcome my lady." Lucas bowed and darted from the tent.

Later that evening Marian and her guard were sat around the fire, it drew cold in the evenings in the Holy Land so Carter had been out and fetched more clothes and blankets for Marian. There had been a musician in camp which Marian had been talking to and now she persuaded him to give her is lute and she sat around the fire with the men, playing tunes and singing with them. Suddenly a loud horn sounded and the guards jumped to their feet. Carter grabbed Marian's arm and started to lead her to the tent quickly she was almost running

"What is it?" Marian asked. "What's that noise?"

"It's an alarm Marian. There is an attack on the way." Carter said he took her inside the tent. He handed her a bow and a quiver of arrows. "Now Marian I know you don't normally listen to orders but right now I need you to." Carter said seriously. Marian nodded to him.

"You need to stay inside Marian. And if anyone who doesn't call your name first enters this tent, you shoot them. Do you understand?" Marian nodded again. "Do not leave this tent." He said before darting out through the door of the tent. Marian could here clanging metal and shouting coming from outside her tent. She could hear Saracens shouting in Arabic and English soldiers screaming. The fabric of the tent rustled and Marian gripped her bow tighter, she reached for an arrow from her quiver and notched it in her bow. She rose from her bed and stood behind it. The fabric moved again and then a Saracen entered. Marian froze.

"Well aren't you a pretty little thing." The saracen said with a thick accent.

"Stay away from me." Marian said raising her chin.

"Or what?"

"I'll shoot you." The saracen walked towards Marian holding his sword before him. He swung his sword and knocked the bow flying from Marian's hand. She held her hands out before her.

"Please no." She begged as the Saracen edged closer. "Please."

"You will pay for the sins of your country." The Saracen sneered before raising his sword above his head over Marian.

"CARTER!" She screamed and cowered on the floor.

Knighton

"Adam, Adam!" Sophia shouted as Adam and his little brother Mark were dragged towards the rest of the village men who had been taken. Adam tried to shake off his captor but to no avail.

"Mark his arm." Gisborne shouted as the guard held Adam down the floor another soldier took the hot iron cross and pressed it into his arm, Adam screamed in pain and was then pushed to the rest of the men.

Robin and his gang were behind some houses watching what was happening.

"Robin it's Adam." Allan whispered.

"I know, what is going on?" Robin asked watching as the men were dragged away.

"Say goodbye to your families. You're all going to be soldiers now." Gisborne shouted from atop his horse. "Move out."

"We have to help them." Robin said. "Come on we will ambush them in the forest."

Sherwood forest

"How many?" Robin asked.
"2 guards in front, 2 behind." Allan said. Robin nodded. "Wait for them to reach this clearing, we take them from the higher ground." Everyone nodded in agreement.

The gang waited hidden behind the trees. "Ready, Go!" Robin shouted and the gang jumped into action. Robin and Allan took care of the guards while Much started to pick the locks of the chains. John was stood at the top of the pass on the lookout for any more guards.
"Come on Much hurry." Robin said joining his friend's side.

"Im nearly there." Much said fiddling with the lock. "Got it."

"Good get the men into the forest."

"ROBIN. We've got company." John shouted.

"Quick deeper into the forest." Robin order. His men lead the way, but Robin and the villagers were surrounded by men.

"Robin keep your head down." Adam said as the villagers surrounded him.

"You men! You fight for my cause now. You belong to me. You fight well and some of you may live to see your home again. You cross me and you die." The Irishman said as he stood before the group. "It's a good job we came out to meet them lads. The sheriff's men weren't exactly protecting my investment. Fine work men, now move them out."

"Here put this on." Adam said handing Robin his over hood. Robin quickly pulled it over his head and pulled the hood up.
"Thank you Adam. I'll get us out of this." Robin said. Adam nodded as they began to be towed towards Nottingham.