Chapter 16
The gang continued running through the forest chased by Elite guards.
"Stop, stop." Robin said. "We need to spilt up."
"I agree." John said.
"But, but." Much stammered.
"We are making it too easy. Ill head east and lead them away." Robin said. "Adam I need to you take Isabella to Nottingham. Take the cliff road." Adam nodded. "Ok let's go, get out of the forest as soon as you can and head to Nottingham."
"Nottingham?" Much asked.
"Yes it's the last place they will look." He said, "Right let's go." Robin sprinted away from the gang and they followed suit.
An hour or so later the gang meet in the middle of the forest. "You're kidding me." Allan said.
"It's like they're herding us." Much gasped. "Like sheep."
"Or lambs to slaughter." Robin said. "They've depleted all our resources, I only have 1 arrow left." Robin looked over his shoulder to spot more guards closing in on them. "Quick this way."
The gang ran out into a clearing and came face to face with Gisborne and yet more guards.
"Looking well Gisborne, for a dead man." Robin shouted.
"Well be assured that your death will be real and not rumoured."
"You must have made quite an impression on Prince John."
"A better one than you." Gisborne sneered and turned his horse out of the way, revealing a box with a hatch.
"What is that?" Much asked
"How should I know?" Robin answered. "Just be ready."
"How can I be ready, I don't know what I'm being ready for." Much cursed.
"Well just be ready for anything." Adam scolded. The hatch of the box was opened and a lion jumped out.
"Woah." The gang shouted and stepped back.
"What the hell?" Allan said.
"Were you ready for that?" Much shouted to Robin, who had his last arrow in his bow. The guards began to bag their staffs against their shields and the lion stalked towards the gang.
"Stay together." Robin ordered.
"Robin are you as good of shot as they say you are?" Isabella asked.
"Of course I am." The lion lunged forward sending the gang back again.
"Calm down," Allan said, "They smell fear you know."
"Oh really." Much said sarcastically.
"What are you thinking?" Robin asked Isabella.
"Throw these are far away from us as possible and then Robin you shoot it with an arrow,"
"Right ok. Adam you handle the other one."
"Ok cover your eyes and do not breathe this in." Isabella said. She threw the package into the middle of the clearing and Robin shot it with an arrow, whilst Adam threw one over the guards behind them and threw a knife through it. The powder burst into a cloud and sent the guards to the floor.
"Come on, go run." Robin said and the gang run from the clearing and past the guards.
The gang continued running through the forest. "Wait wait." Robin said. "Where exactly does a maid get mustard bombs?"
"Does it matter?" Isabella asked.
"I think it does." Adam questioned.
"I think the words you are looking for are thank you."
"It won't take Gisborne long to regroup. Go back to the camp and re arm." Robin ordered.
"And what about you?" Much questioned.
"Me and Adam will go back to Gisborne's camp. We need to find a weakness if any."
"I think I should come with you." Isabella said walking towards Robin.
"Yeah I think that's a good idea." Adam growled.
"I agree, the camp is on a need to know basis and you don't need to know." Robin said to Isabella.
"Then it's agreed." Isabella scowled at Adam. Adam did not like this women, something wasn't right about her.
The 3 quietly approached Gisborne's camp, "Why is Gisborne trying to kill you?" Isabella asked.
"Because I'm an outlaw." Robin replied simply.
"It's a long story." Adam whispered. Robin and Adam leaned on one of the post of the camp, Isabella was stood behind them.
"He's obviously been here for some time." Robin said.
"Yeah and he could be here a lot longer." Adam whispered. "He picked a good place and layout, only on exit easy to defend."
"Well there's no-one defending it now, where is everyone? Where's Gisborne?"
"Where I've been all along." Gisborne said drawing his sword. "One step ahead." Gisborne lunged at Robin who pulled his knife to defend himself. Gisborne grabbed his arm and knocked him to the floor, he raised his sword and plunged it towards Robin but Isabella placed her sword which she had taken from a guard in the way.
"Mon frère." She whispered to Gisborne. Robin lay on the floor staring at what was happening.
"Isabella." Guy said looking to his sister. Robin took his opportunity and kicked him in the knee. He scrambled to his feet and stared at Isabella.
"He's my brother," She said. Adam ran past her and grabbed Robin on the way through.
Gisborne got to is feet, "Get after them." He shouted and then stared at his sister. He stormed past her and into his camp. Isabella followed after him quickly and rushed into his tent.
"Ahh." Guy shouted as he threw the table over. "I had him. I had poisoned my sword."
"I'm sorry." She muttered.
"What are you doing here Isabella?" Gisborne fumed.
"I could not endure another day."
"So you just left. You were joined in holy matrimony."
"I was a 13 year old girl." She stressed. "Do you have any idea what he has done to me? Guy I am your sister. All I ask for is protection."
"Well it appears you've already received that from Robin Hood."
"I knew nothing of his true nature. I needed help, the help I am asking you for now."
"Really and what if I were to send you back to your husband?"
"Then you'd be condemning me to a life of misery for a second time. Only this time you'd be doing it knowingly. Surely you feel some sense of loyalty."
"How can you speak of loyalty when twice you have aided Robin Hood?"
"A mistake and one I will not make again. And I will earn back your trust and respect. But please, do not send me back to my husband."
"Very well, you may stay. But if I find you in Hood's company once more, I will drag you back to Shrewsbury myself."
Outlaw camp
"Gisborne sister," John growled. "Her we do not like."
"Let's just focus on the mission." Robin said.
"I'm not being funny, but how did you fall for that?" Allan laughed.
"Enough." Robin said.
"Robin's right, we need to focus on the mission." Adam said.
"Yeah well I'm not happy about it." Much said.
"When are you ever?" Adam moaned.
"Robin cannot walk into Gisborne's camp unarmed against Black Elite and a giant cat."
"If we storm in there we will be shot down. Robin has to look like he surrendering." Adam defended.
"You have to admit it's not one of your better plans." Allan countered. Robin rolled his eyes and looked at him. "Maybe if we just wait."
"Wait for what. Isabella to divulge everything she knows about us?" Adam said.
"She wouldn't." Robin interrupted. "I know she wouldn't."
"It's a good plan. Robin won't be undefended for long." Adam said looking at Robin. "Come on Allan lets go."
Robin strolled into Gisborne's camp with his hands in the air. Black Elite guards surrounded him and Gisborne walked out of his tent towards him.
"Welcome." He smirked.
"I like what you've done with the place Gisborne." Robin laughed.
"I wasn't expecting your visit."
"Well I find that very hard to believe." He looked to Isabella. "Given him a full report have you."
"There will be no further conversation with my sister, she knows were her loyalties lie."
"I'm sure she does. So," Robin lowered his arms. "Would you like to hear my demands?"
"Demands?" Gisborne laughed, "Please demand away."
"It's quite simple really. Get out of my forest."
"Yeah, that's a reasonable request. Let me think." Gisborne paused. "Kill him."
"NOW." Robin shouted. He ran in the direction of the box just as a net was dropped over the emerging guards. Robin climbed on top of the box and lifted the hatch. Guards began to scramble away as the lion approached. Robin jumped from the box and ran out of the gate while Allan and Adam dropped the gate behind him.
"Let's see how many of your men he can stomach. Hey Gisborne." Robin shouted and they ran off back towards the camp.
Later that night Isabella returned to the hollow log where she had hidden her money earlier in the day.
"Looking for this." Robin said leaning against the tree holding her bag of coins.
"That's mine," She said making to grab it. He grabbed her arm and pushed her back.
"Not your mistress'" He said. "If I'd had known you were Gisborne's sister."
"You'd have what. Killed me? And after I saved you."
"You made your choice when you lied to me."
"And what makes you think I have a choice. My fate has been decided for me since I was a child." She said storming away.
"You knew it was him chasing us and you said nothing."
"I didn't know it was him."
"He's your brother." Robin shouted grabbed each side of her face and pushing her against a tree.
"I hadn't seen him since I was 13, when I realised I was shocked. You have to believe me."
"No, that's the last thing I have to do. Because you've been lying to me ever since we met." Robin looked at her with hurt in his eyes. "You know I preferred you as a simple servant."
"So do I, better than a wronged sister who was sold to her husband. I couldn't tell you I was Lady Thornton." She held his wrist as his thumb rested on her cheek. "You're Robin Hood. I know what you do to nobles."
"I never turn my back on someone in true need." He said rubbing her cheek. He looked down to the floor he couldn't help but see Marian in her. But she wasn't Marian, she was Gisborne's sister. "Goodbye Isabella." He said lifting his head.
"And thank you for the donation." And he turned and walked away.