Chapter 12
Nottingham Castle
It was a stormy night in Nottinghamshire and as the Abbott journeyed to the castle the thunder and lightning cracked around then. The coach rolled into the courtyard and a furious Abbott stormed into the castle.
"How dare you summon me in the middle of the night like some common serf?" He boomed over the thunder.
"I need your help Abbott." The Sheriff said pacing back and forth.
"Well if it's redemption you are seeking, I suggest you get down on your knees and beg for forgiveness."
"I do not speak redemption, I seek protection."
"From whom."
"Price John."
"Well knowing the prince as I do, I suggest you please him."
"WHAT DO YOU THINK I'VE BEEN DOING ALL THIS TIME? WEAVING TAPESTRIES!" The Sheriff shouted. "He has Gisborne but I fear it is not enough."
"Well what do you suppose I do about it?"
"I need your help. Help me to catch Robin Hood."
"You brought me all the way here in the middle of the night in a thunder storm to ask for my help in something that is not my problem." The Abbott scoffed. "Goodbye Sheriff." He turned to walk out.
"Wait, I wouldn't do that if I were you." The sheriff cooed. "You see, even the most holy and worthy people, have something hidden in the closet. But the problem is with hidden things, they are always around for people like me to find." The sheriff moved to the table with something hidden under a cloth. "Now I visited the Abbey, to see what little gems I could find and well as little gems go, this takes the cake." He pulled of the cloth to reveal a huge leather bound book. "English Abbott, I wonder what Pope Celestine would have to say about this. Or Prince John for that matter."
"You're black mailing Me."
"Yesss," The sheriff laughed. "A bible translated into English, must be the biggest bait of all."
"What do you need?" The Abbott sighed.
Locksley
The following morning Much, Robin and Adam walked down the hill towards Locksley, it was June now and the flowers were in full blossom.
"You know this is my favourite bit." Much smiled joyfully as they walked. "They handing out of parcels." Adam and Robin smiled at him, "Being welcomed into the village like sons returning from battle."
"Oh Much." Adam laughed.
"It is better to give than to receive." Much stated. Adam and Robin laughed again. They approached Locksley and saw clouds of dust floating into the air.
"Quickly get down." Robin said, "It's the Sheriff." They crept down the remainder of the hill and into the back of Locksley. The Sheriff approached the middle of the village.
"Last night, Robin Hood and his gang, broke into Kirklees Abbey." He began while still sat atop his horse. "And so the Abbott has come to me to seek my protection! In return to show my support for the church and for justice. I have tripled the guard at the Abbey."
"What's he talking about?" Robin whispered. Much and Adam shrugged and stared wide eyed at the Abbott who stood behind the Sheriff in his coach.
"I know that you all know Robin Hood. And I know that some of you have come to see him as a friend. But be assured that since he has returned from his travels, he has become a notorious killer." The Sheriff dismounted his horse and began to walk around the village. "Now I have come here today to ask for your help. In bringing this heretic to justice. It is the duty of every man, woman and child to bring this villain to justice. Anyone who helps him, will be dammed a heretic and die a heretics death, being burned at the stake."
"If this village does not assist me then everyone in it shall be dammed unclean and every living creature will be killed to ensure that the infectious evil does not spread."
The Abbott reluctantly raised his hand showing the village his ring and then he began to speak.
"By the power vested in me, by Pope Celestine the 3rd, I issue this holy edict, it is every man women and child's sacred duty. To help bring the demon Robin Hood to justice."
Sherwood Forest
"This is bad, this is very bad. This is very very bad Robin." John said pacing
"John its ok." Robin said, after they had returned to camp Robin had told the rest of the gang about what had happened in Locksley.
"The Abbott has dammed our souls Robin."
"Oh come on you don't seriously believe all that mumbo jumbo do you?" Alan asked laughing. He wasn't worried, he didn't believe there was a god or heaven or hell, besides if there was, he'd probably already be going to hell for all his sins of the flesh anyway, and that's before the stealing and the lying.
"I will fix this. The Abbott is a good man," Robin assured.
"What do you suggest?" Adam asked.
"I will speak to him."
"Where? We can't go to the Abbey." Adam said.
"He will be back in Nottingham tomorrow I have no doubt. We will sneak into the castle."
Austria - Scharnitz
Night was beginning to fall as Marian and Carter reined their horses in the small clearing.
"We are not far from Bavaria." Marian said checking a map they had been given by the captain.
"Another day or two and we should be there." Carter agreed. "Marian what if the count does not remember you. We travelled all this way in the hope that we could secure some money or at least a safe passage."
"We will have to cross that bridge if we come to it." Marian said, carter nodded knowing there was no point in discussing further.
"I'll go and get some firewood. You roll out the packs." Carter walked deeper into the forest, while Marian began unrolling the packs and blankets. She had a strange feeling she was being watched, travelling and fighting had tuned her senses and she knew something wasn't right.
A little way from the clearing 3 men were stood hidden watching Marian and Carter. "He's left quickly lets go." One man in a heavily accented voice said. They approached the clearing and then emerged into full view in front of Marian. "Well aren't you a pretty little creature."
"Sehr hübsch." This man spoke very little English. Marian backed away from the men slowly.
"Look love, we just want your horses and your items." The leader said.
"No chance." Marian growled.
"Just hand them over and we won't hurt you."
"You should be worried about me hurting you."
"Ha, you, your nothing but a mere women." He snorted.
"Looks can be deceiving." Marian said coldly. She had reached her pack now and quickly drew here swords. "Now, I," Marian emphasised. "Don't want to hurt you."
"Holen sie sich das mädchen." The leader said and the two other men rushed towards Marian. She made light work of sending them to the floor in front of their leader and she stood before him poised for the next attack.
"Like I said, I don't want to hurt you." Marin repeated darker than before. The leader saw red charging towards her followed by his 'gang'. Marian successfully dodged fists and a digger which moved past her arm. She sliced a line through one man's leg before another grabbed her from behind. She let out a scream. Carter who was already on his way back and heard her scream dropped his wood, drew his sword and ran into the clearing. He finished off the man Marian had cut with her sword and sent him to the floor lifeless, then he ran to free Marian. He battled with the leader of the thieves whilst Marian managed to shake her capture and plant her sword into his stomach. She kicked him off and turned to see the leader hovering over Carter. She reached for her bow, pulled and an arrow from the quiver next to it and then sent the arrow sailing straight through the thief's heart. He slumped on the floor next to Carter and then she saw him clutching his leg with a pool of blood on the floor. She dropped her bow and ran to him.
"What happened?" She gasped kneeling next to him shaking at the sight of a dagger in his leg.
"I didn't know he had a dagger, he slammed it into my thigh when a charged at him."
"It's alright you're going to be ok." She said. She ripped a strip of her cape and tied it tightly around the top of his leg above the wound. "I need to pull it out." Carter nodded and braced himself. She ripped another piece of her cape and then quickly pulled the knife from his leg. She wrapped the cloth around his wound. She helped him to his feet, but he collapsed almost instantly. "We need to get you out of here." Marian said, "You need help." Carter didn't argue he already felt weaker. Marian supported his weight and led him to the horse. She helped him mount and quickly tied his pack to the horse. She quickly gathered up her stuff and tied her pack to her own horse before mounting it and then leading the way.
"Where are we going?" Carter asked weakly. Marian looked at his wound to see the bandage becoming sodden with blood.
"Bavaria." Marian murmured and then grabbed Carter's reins, she kicked her horse into a canter leading Carter's be the side of her. See watched as Carter slumped forward grabbing the horse's mane. "Hang in there, Matthew. Hang in there."