Chapter 20

"Two soldiers reported seeing assassins in the forest. The Prince couldn't cancel his dinner with the Sherriff and the Council of Nobles, so he used me as double. Of course I could have said no, but I've have been beheaded." Benjamin said as they gathered around Adam who was still unconscious. Robin smiled at Benjamin. "Mind you my predecessor was beheaded for not being able to find a case of scrofula."

"And what's scrofula?" Robin asked.

"Ive heard of that." Allan said. "Its really rare init?"
"Yes so rare even I cant find a case of it." Benjamin replied

"They say that it can only be cured by the touch of a king. John saw his father cure someone once so I heard." Allan offered.

"So why would he want to find it then?" Robin scoffed.

"Prince John is obsessed with it, he brought me with him, hoping I could find a case of it for him too sure like his father did. He wants to prove he is the rightful heir to the throne and not his brother Richard." Robin nodded in disgust as Benjamin continued, "Of course there's absolutely no evidence that the kings touch cures anything. But as I'd quite like to keep my head I shall not be the one to tell him that."

"Can I have some water please?" Adam whispered finally having regained consciousness, Robin smiled and handed him a water bottle. Adam took a sip and then handed it back. "Thank you."

Benjamin collected his belongings and packed his bag. "Thank you for saving Adam." Robin smiled.

"Your welcome. It was a pleasure."
"So will you go back to Prince John?" He asked.

"Well I suppose I better had."

"I see." Robin nodded. "John." Robin said simply. John arrived behind Benjamin and grabbed his arms. "Sorry Ben, but its only business." Robin said laughing. John stuck a bag over Benjamin's head and threw him over the saddle stomach down. He then tapped horse on the rear and it headed towards Nottingham.

Nottingham castle

The Sherriff, Gisborne and Isabella were stood on the steps leading into the castle as the trumpets sounded for the arrival of the prince. Prince John stepped from his carriage.

"Ahh Prince John. Welcome to Nottingham." The Sherriff said opening his arms.

"Hood is still a problem." He said, "Gisborne deal with it."

"Of course, your majesty." Gisborne said sneering at the Sherriff.

"And who is this?" The prince purred eyeing Isabella.

"Isabella." She smiled holding out her hand for him.

"Lovely. Italian or Spanish?" He said raising her chin.

"Which would you prefer?" Isabella and The Prince giggled flirtatiously. As the Prince turned from Isabella the sound of hooves could be heard emerging, and into the yard came a guard jogging leading a horse behind him. The guard helped Benjamin down from the horse and then untied his hands. Benjamin pulled the hood from his head and stood before the prince.

"Speak." The prince ordered.

"Congratulations sire. Your plan worked I was captured and not you. Your brilliance is unsurpassed."
"Who ambushed you?"

"Robin Hood you highness."
"Again Robin Hood is a problem." The prince growled. "Sir Guy deal with it." He said and then stormed off up the step.

Later that evening, the council of nobles had gathered for dinner in the great hall, along with The prince, Gisborne, the sheriff, Isabella and Benjamin. "SO tell me where we you ambushed?" The Prince asked.

"Not far from a village." Benjamin replied.

"No doubt that will be Locksley." The sheriff interrupted.

"We fought bravely but we were very outnumbered." Benjamin continued
"The villagers must have helped the outlaws."

"And you say you were captured by Robin Hood himself."

"Yes your highness."
"Was he mad?"
"Very sire."
"Did he curse?"
"Most fulsomely." Benjamin smiled glad to keep the prince happy. The prince rose from is chair and walked to Benjamin.

"Tell me, what did he say?" The prince asked.

"I.I I.. I couldn't possibly sire."

"Oh please, it will be so much fun."

"He called you a coward."

"What?" The prince gasped. Benjamin cleared throat.

"He said only a coward uses a double."

"Arrest him." The Prince ordered.

"What shall I charge him with?" The Sheriff asked as he summoned the guards.
"Impersonating the Prince of course." Prince John replied.

"But sire please." Benjamin protested as the guards dragged him away.

"Vaisey. Where is this village of Locksley I should like to see it?" Prince John asked.

Peterborough

"I can't believe he's moved on already." Marian whispered as they left the castle undetected with their message burning on the side of the Peterborough castle.

"He's spineless Wren you've seen that now since we've been chasing him." Carter replied.

"Yes but I didn't think he was his bad." She continued. They sulked through the streets until they reached the inn in which they were staying. Carter peered in through the window, there were too many people in the bar for them to enter in the front door.

"Did you leave the window unlatched?" Carter asked.

"Yes why?" Marian asked.

"Because we are climbing, it's too busy." Marian nodded and walked around the back of the inn. She handed Carter her bag of money and then headed up the side of the inn. She reached their window with ease and pulled open the shutter then hulled herself inside. She let down some sheets and Carter tied the bags to it, Marian pulled them silently up the side of the inn and in through the window and then Carter followed shortly afterwards.

"Not a bad night's work." Marian smiled as Carter removed his mask and hood.

"Better than usual." Carter smiled back to her.

"Yes well, Prince John left a lot more here!"

"Buying loyalties."

"And here was us thinking he was just running. Two birds, one stone." Marian said.

"So same as normal?"

"Yes we'll hand money out tomorrow night and we will move on to Leicester the day after."

"Marian are you sure you want to go to Leicester, I mean Nottingham is two days ride from here. You could be home by the end of the week." Carter insisted.

"I know but we have started something Carter, I intend to finish it." Marian argued.

"But Marian what about Robin?"

"He will be fine, he would want me to do this."

"Marian you have been pushing to get home for months, why now are you suddenly dragging your feet?"

"Im not." Marian defended.

"Yes you are!" Carter countered. "You have been since we left London. Now tell me why?"

"Loughborough was a friend of my fathers, I should like to see his estate is well cared for, we head there after Leicester." Marin ignored his question.

"Fine, don't tell me." Carter huffed. "Leicester it is."