Chapter 23

The Great North Road

"Toll please." The gatekeeper said. Marian stayed behind Carter on her horse, with her hood covering her face, she kept her head down, so close to home they had to be careful now.

"There is no toll on this road," Carter said.

"There is now."

"Since when?"

"Since 2 months ago. The sheriff imposed tolls across all of Nottingham." The Gatekeeper said holding his hand out. Marian cleared her throat causing Carter to turn around. Marian nodded her head and Carter smiled. He launched from his horse ploughing the keeper into the ground. Marian dismounted and walked over to the man. She kept her voice low and steady.

"Now, we don't want to hurt you. But you see, my friend and I don't have much money. For that matter, neither do the people of Nottingham." Marian said. She pushed over the toll gate. "Now, we are going to rob you and give the money to the poor. And you. You're going to tell the sheriff that The Night-Watchman and his friend did this. Do you understand?" The gatekeeper nodded. "Good," Marian smiled and went inside the emptied the chests. She returned minutes later with bags full of money.

"Done?" Carter asked as he held the man.

"Done." Marian smiled. Carter pushed the man into the hut and quickly mounted his horse. Marian and Carter took off galloping towards Sherwood.

Marian and Carter slowed their horses on the outside of Sherwood Forest, it was late afternoon.

"We should set up camp on the outside of the forest," Marian said. "Robin won't come out this far."

"You're sure you still want to go through with tonight?" Carter asked.

"Of course, it's time we show the Sheriff who is back." Marian smiled.

"Let's do this." Carter smiled.

Nottingham Castle

Later that evening Marian and Carter were sneaking through Nottingham castle, with their hoods up and masks over their face.

"Do you know where you're going?" Carter asked.
"Of course I do." Marian hissed. She felt uneasy being in the castle again. "Sorry I didn't mean to snap." She whispered.
"It's ok, I know you're on edge." Marian heard footsteps approaching and pushed carter into an alcove. She stood against the wall opposite Carter, with her hand on her dagger. Isabella walked past, leaving Marian and Carter undetected. Marian watched her walk down another corridor.

"Who was that?" Carter asked.

"I have no idea," Marian paused. "Come let's get this money."

They arrived outside the vault. They saw 3 elite guards before the entrance. "Lift me up," Marian said. Carter obeyed and helped Marian into the beams. Carter knew the plan and waited for Marian's signal. She silently crept across the beams and then positioned herself above the guards. She gently began to lower herself then whistled. As the guards looked up she planted her feet on the guards' faces whilst Cater finished the final one. Marian jumped down.

"Come on, we haven't much time." Marian said opening the vault door, "Keep watch." She said as she started filling bags. Before long, Marian had filled the bags they had and then they were making their way to the roof. The pair quickly dispatched the guards on the roof and Marian was soon tying the rope around her waist. She lowered herself over the edge of the castle.

"You got me?" She asked.

"Of course." Carter said, "Just like every other time Wren," Carter handed her the pot of mix. He began to lower her down the wall and Marian set to work. A short while later Marian called to Carter, "Ok, pull me up." Carter pulled Marian up the wall and helped her back onto the battlements. "Ready?" She asked.

"As always." Carter smiled. She ran and grabbed one of the torches. She leaned over the battlements and torched the trail.

"Let's get out of here." She said as the image became engulfed. They grabbed the bags and headed quickly into the streets of Nottingham.

As they rode out of the town they turned to see the Robin's Gang's symbol burning brightly into the side of Nottingham Castle's wall.

"Welcome home Wren." Carter smiled and they turned their horses and rode from Nottingham.

Sherwood Forest

Marian sat leaning against a tree, she was tired but somehow sleep evaded her. She saw Carter stir next to her and soon was sat next to her.

"A penny for your thoughts." He said looking at her.

"My thoughts are not worth a penny, surely you should know that by now." Marian smiled at her friend.

"No, they are worth more." Carter counted, "So come on sunshine, whats up?"

"Nothing Carter, I'm fine."
"Tell me, Wren, we have faced life and death together, seemingly more death. Let me help you. Let me in." He pleaded.

"I'm worried," Marian offered after a few silent moments.

"About Robin?"

"That and Gisborne?"

"Gisborne?" Carted asked surprised.

"I'm worried that maybe Robin has moved on, what if I turn up there and he has someone else in his life. Or what if he looks at me differently, what if he…" Marian sighed, "Carter what if he doesn't love me anymore?"

"That is madness Marian, 5 years you waited for him and your love lasted that."
"That was different, neither of us believed the other dead."

"Its crazy talk you know he loves you. My main concern right now is why you are worried about Gisborne," Carter said. Marian sighed and shuffled her feet. Her boots were ruined, with holes in the soles. The sides were splitting and the laces torn, but she didn't care, there were people with far less.

"I've had so many nightmares of seeing him again, reliving the moment that he ran me through." Marian shivered, to this day she still couldn't figure out how she was alive. "I just, I don't know if I can stand in front of him and fight." Marian sighed. "It takes all my effort to be able to fight with others, to push back the fear that courses through me. I'm just not sure I can do that for him."

"You won't have to Marian, you will never be alone. Robin will see to that, and failing that. I will see to it. You think after dragging you through Acre, Europe and England to get you to your husband that I'm going to let you die here." Carter said. "No chance." He smiled. "Now get some sleep, we have a big day tomorrow."