A/N: Okay, this waaaay late, but I did not get my new laptop until after Christmas! But I hope you'll enjoy this just the same.
Peril at Pentecost
Robin's POV
The wind was harsh, and the snow was piling up higher and higher. For once I agreed with Galleth's decision to press on despite any weariness. We had to find shelter before nightfall, or freeze to death on our feet this very night. Little John, for once was head of our line, tired like the rest of us, yet otherwise unaffected by the cold. Much of our clothing had been changed to winter wear, Galleth still wore his armor but with much thicker clothes and layers added as well. Hucklebee and I also had more appropriate wear, with colors to better match in our… brighter landscape. We were still on the run, despite many throughout the land who knew of our quest.
Yet we were still living off the good will of others. While these were better our garments we previously owned, the bite and cold of the wind was ever slowing even Galleth's march. To make it worse, three more had joined us; a crow who was a local bard, a duck who had been a peasant in the last town, and a grateful young sparrow. I do feel they are both grateful and admiring of us, we did save their towns when they needed us. But I feel concern for what with so many feathered companions in our company people may say that the Cooper Order is for the birds.
It would limit our company.
As it was we had to make the necessary food rations to feed these three in addition to ourselves, and… no questioning it: our pace had slowed.
"We go forth la-la-la-lads!" Galleth called back to us. "S-S-Such trials muh-muh-muh-must be f-faced to its end!" If any good came from the cold, it was that Galleth could barely speak.
Behind me in the line-up I heard a thud. Everyone turned; it was the young sparrow boy, named Skylar. This wind had to be most trying for him. I was ahead of the new knights and made it over id Skylar before any of the other. Lifting his wing over my shoulder, I could feel that he was as cold as the snow itself. "Keep moving!" I ordered the others. "And stay close! Sunset will be soon, we must find lodgings before then." With that our company continued on through the blizzard.
I supported young Skylar, and as I walked with him some of his strength seemed to return. "I…Th-Thank you, Sir Greensleeves."
Despite my mood, I manage a smile at him. True to his word, Galleth told no one of my name. "Tis the honorable action of a comrade. Little John knows this road, he will have us at the City of Northpass in a short time."
No sooner had I said that, we collided with the line in front of us. "…Here…" Little John pointed with his gigantic claw. Out in front of us was nothing but snow, hills of it.
"Eh…Little John?" said Hucklebee. "There's nothing here."
No one else spoke. I looked down at Skylar. If he didn't get warm soon… I will regret my inner complaints about too many members too soon. Little John sniffed the air. He lumbered a little ways away up to one of the hills. He sniffed it again, leaned in, set his club down and began digging. The rest of us weren't quite sure what he was doing so we left him to it. Perhaps he's digging out a cave or a shelter for the night?
It didn't take a minute until Little John stopped and stood up straight. With a giant claw he pointed, "Here."
Hucklebee looked at the group and then strode over to Little John. He looked to where our friend was pointing. "There's a door here!" he called back.
"What?"
I left Skylar with the others to help Galleth and Hucklebee dig the rest of the way. Indeed there was a white door buried in the snow, and further digging revealed a whole front of a church! "By Jove!" Exclaimed Galleth. "Methinks this hill of snow is truly a church!"
"Now what would give that away?" I asked with sarcasm. Hucklebee covered a chuckle, and Little John knocked on the door.
The door pulled back to reveal an aardvark in a priest's clothing. The creature squinted and leaned towards Little John. "Why…" he said in an old voice. "Could it be? Little Johnny Ursa?"
"Father Heebleheart…"
After what was a beautiful thirty second reunion of Little John and his childhood friend, The Knights of the Cooper Order were welcomed into the small, no longer snow-bound church. According to Father Heebleheart, a recent heavy snowfall was the least of the town's troubles. Giving up what he could, a fire of the church candles and a bit of broth of old vegetables, he told us the most shocking story that would take me years to find a more insane one.
The town headman, the Duke Addington had effectively canceled the Christmas holiday! And when Galleth spat out the entire soup bowl from his mouth at the news, instead of asking if we were going to get involved I asked the priest what he could tell us of this.
First the Duke had set a severely limiting amount of food saying it should be saved for the entire winter. When in actuality everyone knew he was hoarding in his private storages leaving his subjects to not only starve but call off the days of feasting. Then he had banned singing from the town limits because it disturbed his fragile ears. And finally, all gatherings and travel in and out of town was being stopped by the law enforcement. The citizens could not even go to the church, they had to stay and work for the Duke.
It not take but one look at a red-in-the face Galleth to know just what we would be doing to prepare for Christmas Day.
Our first step would be acquiring disguises.
No. Allow me to rephrase.
Step one is always grabbing Galleth by the tail and keeping him from giving away our presence before we even start. He was just so enraged by this situation that we all agreed to lock him into the confession room until the plan was worked out. Truthfully, I was about as mad as he was at the moment. Not even the Sheriff of Nottingham had put such restrictions on the people. But that all the more so made me want to get this plan done properly and thus end this tyrant's reign.
The priest happened to have some spare clothes that he made for the poor that he gave us use of. This way we could move about the town without being suspected. Skylar was still regaining feeling in his feet, so I took Hucklebee and the duck, Donald Waddington, to find out what I could, leaving the others with the task of keeping Galleth in his room until we got back.
Sneaking past the guards, even these fully alert ones, was child's play. Christmas may have been canceled, some banners that had not yet been taken down made it simple for me to shot my arrow and get behind the guards to take them out. Hucklebee and Waddington could easily walk in after that.
"Now here is the next part of the plan, tis fairly simple." I whispered to Waddington. "Ask the towns folk of what they know without giving away our true purpose. Once night falls we will meet back here. On the chance I come later, Hucklebee you will have to find the best method of sneaking out. I don't want anyone alerting the Duke." Waddington was still new, making Hucklebee very much his superior.
"Aye, Robin." Hucklebee pulled down the hat of his disguise.
"Mr. Waddington, do you understand?"
"Aye, Sir Greensleeves!" he replied enthusiastically.
With that we set about our task.
I set to eavesdrop on the guards. Waddington is too new for this task and Hucklebee prefers the straight-forward approach though he lacks the need for fighting that Galleth is afflicted with. Thus, tis my duty to scout the knowledge of our enemy's closest men. To conceal my weapons, I chose the guise of a hunchbacked beggar. From Father Heebleheart, I had learned that these guards were from other town and under the direct command of the duke so they would not be familiar with everyone who lived here.
Putting on my old woman voice that has many times fooled my old foes, I speak to the guards. "What's this? Why you little lads out in the cold as if statues? Have ye already frozen to death?"
The guard looked down on me confused. "Um… Not I, mum. I'm the guard here for Sir Crowe. He's the second most important man in the town, mum."
Hmm, interesting. I had not known the Duke had a right-hand man.
"Well, well!" I turn my tone to show more approval. "What a brave lad you are. With all quiet on the streets at this time ah year, I was a'wonderin what the reason was. Used to be songs were sung and the smell ah roast food be in the air. There must be quite some trouble round here for your services to be required."
"Oi…"The guard sighed. What? Don't tell me he's as upset by the loss of celebration as everyone else! This may make the job all the more harder. "I love the smell of cinnamon yams and roasted potatoes at Christmas time. But Sir Samuel Crowe, he's the only one with the keys to the storehouses, keeps them with him at all times, he does."
I nod and pat the young man on the arm in thanks. I then hobble away, over the corner where I shed my disguise and start running around the rooftops. I'll have to remember where this house is, half our plan lies on getting into the storehouses before Christmas Eve.
"This is treachery of the worst kind!" Galleth's protest and pounding on the wooden door had not slowed even as we came in for the evening. "Not only have you all imprisoned your own leader, but in the name of the holiest order thou hast betrayed the church and-" On a signal from Hucklebee, Little John stood up from the door and Galleth fell out flat on his face.
Helping our knight to stand I said, "If you're finished, Sir Galleth, we would like to begin discussing strategy."
We gathered around a table in one of the rooms in the back of the church. A map of the town and its landmarks were drawn out for all our company to see. Father Heebleheart remained out in the main chapel, just in case anyone else came. As usual at these meeting, I spoke first. "We have but three chilling nights to be done with this deed. That leaves little room for error. Sir Hucklebee, Sir Waddington and I have already spent the day learning the town and we believe we have way to return Christmas to these people."
"What?" Galleth interrupted. "You managed so much in a day? Robin, I must hear the end of this!"
"Halt your chatter, Galleth and you shall." I pointed to the map. "Here is the courthouse. Now thanks to Hucklebee we know the custom of this area is that all enforcing laws are displayed on the courthouse door including the newest ones. And by my own methods I've found that the keys to the storehouse are kept with a Samuel Crowe at all times."
"How does any of this help us get back Christmas, Sir Greensleeves?" Skylar asked.
"Like this: Tomorrow night, Little John, James Dover and myself shall leave at nightfall. I will be sneaking into Sir Crowe's house while he is sleeping and search for the keys. Once I have them then we can open the storehouses and begin redistributing the food back to the people for their feasts. Next, you Galleth, Skylar, and Hucklebee will make your way to the courthouse-"
"In the dead of night!" Galleth proclaimed.
"No." I told him. "The officials of the courthouse would see the laws changed before the citizens, and that's what's important. For this I recommend Skylar and Hucklebee create a distraction in the courthouse. Then Galleth what you need to do is switch the laws on the door that says singing of all Christmas songs is reinstated."
Hucklebee raised his fist, "Then our mission is accomplished! Christmas is saved!"
I grow agitated with these constant interruptions. "No!" I slam my hand onto the table. All of them look at me. I pull back and fold my arms. "This is merely half of the plan. We are doing this to give back what was stolen, yes. But I have a bigger beast for us to face this Christmas. And to make him come out will take… the proper strategic moment."
I did my part with James, Donald, and Little John. The four of them went to fight off the guards to the storehouses. James was more of a bard than anything, when he spoke twas a song that always came out of him. I thought that he could gain the guards attention with a song while Hucklebee took them out from behind. For the part of getting the keys, I would have to do this alone.
I can easily open a window from the outside. "Times like this, tis good to be Robin Hood." I whisper to myself and slip inside. I stick to the shadows in case guards happen to be stationed inside. This is no ordinary robbery, I may take a few treasure I find lying around (the Order needs its funds too), but I must remember my main objective. "Find the keys and get out." I whisper. Time is of the essence. I should aid my friends as soon as possible if I can.
Slowly, I creep into the house. Since I'm here I'll begin by searching the second floor, then I'll move around the first before daring to go up to the third where Sir Crowe sleeps. As I move from the room to the hallway I notice some feathers lining the floor. It looks like this greedy soul has taken measure to ensure no one sneaks around his house. "Either his cleaning lady is cheaply paid or he is expecting a burglary." By how the black feathers are laid about, he'll be able to tell in the morning if a stranger has been here. Moving on the floor would not be an option. I could simply stat outside and jump to the third floor, but a trap like this quips my curiosity. "Why lay a trap when the prize….?"
A memory of a similar heist in Nottingham comes to mind. The sheriff made it very public that a sapphire statuette, which was a gift from Prince John, was always kept on his night stand. On the night I set out to claim the gem, it turned out to be a trap to lure me right into the sheriff's clutches! I had manage to get away, then later learn from a maid of his house that the sapphire was actually kept tightly locked in the basement. Now it seems Sir Crowe istrying a similar plan.
Which means something I really do want is right on the second floor!
I gracefully leap in. As to not disturb the feathers, I land on a table. The trick will be not to land on the floor, a little scare for the greedy and proud bird to have his things stolen, but no clue to the culprit! "First, I see to the needs of my friends." This room is nothing more than a parlor, a sitting room. My next jump is aimed for the convenient little table by the door. With delicate movements I slide the door open to-
"Who goes there?" The door is slammed open by a charging bloodhound! His mad dash causes him to slip on the feathers and hit his head on the door with the window! I quickly slip into the hallway and hide behind some heavy red curtains and listen as the dog recovers. "I say!" he proclaims. "M'lord's window musta caused a breeze ta open the door." I thank the lord above for idiots! "Oi, all these feathers. M'lord charged me to keep em in order. Me tail cleans up afta me, but he sees that I've allowed a window open an' he'll give me the boot!"
I hear the window shut. There goes my escape plan. "Now what's all this!?" A new, very, loud, screechy voice enters the room. It's Sir Crowe! "Rachett, you humbug! Clean up this mess. I am a very important official, so I need my sleep. I had no problem banning the music and I will have no problem with firing you! My inspection of the storehouses are tomorrow, and if I miss a detail it will be coming out of your next meal."
The poor fool. We are truly aiding more than the innocent on this feat. Crowe admonishes him further. "I'll have the keys to the storehouses in my room. And since you are a fool I will remind you that the door is locked. So, if I should call for your blundering aid in the night, you will have to use the spare keys I have given you to unlock the door and apprehend the scoundrel! Is that clear?"
"Aye, m'lord." Rachett replied nervously. I peeked out the curtains to see Sir Crowe walking down the dark hallway in his night shirt with a candle most likely heading to his room. Once he was gone, I heard the poor guard Rachett muttering in nervousness. "Oooo! I be knowing them keys was important. M'lord must nevah know I's misplaced those precious keys. Must keep the feathers in place with no trail, that I's may keep me job."
I waited until the hound had walked off to go to another room before leaning out, tipping my hat in his direction. "A merry Christmas to you both, sirs."
I began my search for the room keys. I was able to perch myself on lamps, desks, chandeliers, chairs and the like. Every so often I'd look in a drawer or box, finding numerous objects of value! But never the key. Twice when my clumsy tail disturbed the contents of the floor, Rachett came into the room and fixed the feathers while I remained in hiding until he looked about with his lantern and left. "Lo, how the truly frightened are oft the more rich." Sir Crowe's metod of protecting himself was, I admit, remarkable. Yet it only proved how much he truly knew he had to hide! And I be the thing he fears. I smiled to myself.
Finding myself in the hall yet again, I searched the top drawer of a dresser full of soft sheets. Fancy, but not practical to a traveling thief. Too flimsy to make clothes or even keep one's self warm in the snow with no fire. I left them, til I spotted a glimmer of metal. I reached in, and lo and behold twas the key to the bedroom! Of course a fool such as Rachett would leave it in an obvious place where he could fetch it immediately, and he hath forgotten such a simple thing. I can only hope he will find a much kinder employ once I am finished tonight.
There are no feathers on the stairs going up to the room. I did not try, but I may assume this level is all locked windows as no feathers are displayed on the third floor. Crafty, you devil of a crow! Knowing a robber would likely try for his own room in haste of the prize, he also took extra measures, including a guard and trap on the second floor. Going by this pattern, my escape route should be on the first floor. It should be just a matter of distracting Rachett once I have the Storage Keys. In my art as a thief of the night, I quietly turn the key and push the door to Sir Crowe's chambers.
The greedy bird is snoring soundly, confident in his overestimated cunning. There are less places to hide about here, I must be quiet as I search. Think Robin, Samuel Crowe is intelligent, unlike Rachett. Where would he hide a highly valuable key? A sense of intuition plays in my mind, luring my eyes close to the black bird's bed. There! Tis under his own pillow! If his hand is upon it, removing the objects will by nigh impossible. Unless…
Lady luck hath favored me again!
The room keys are upon a ring similar to that of the ones under the pillow! With this I need only loosen his feathery-wing for a moment and switch the sets of keys! Crouching low and tip-toeing over, I ready the room keys in one hand. During a loud, squawk-like snore, sir Crowe's grasp on the ring slips. In that moment, I switch the two keys right before he takes up his peaceful snoozing. Tis done! I need only now distract Rachett whilst I slip outside and the food will be returned to the people. I think a broken mirror and a locked door will keep the dog out of my way till I'm out.
I creep back to the door, ever gingerly closing it. The moment the door lightly sounds shut, a terrible crashing comes from the floor below! Startled, I jump back and ready my knife as I hear Sir Crowe screaming out in the next room, "Rachett! Rachett! Protect me! There is an intruder in my house!"
It seems I am saved the trouble of making my own distraction. Now I may run down the hall without worrying about the dog noticing me there or seeing the disturbed flooring. I shall have to plan out the release of this fellow as thanks for later. For now, I must get back to the other to proceed with the plan. I run down, listening to the schuffling as the intruder puts up a fight against Rachett.
"Hold, ye beast of burden!" Oh no… "Sir Galleth, seeks the good of his fellows and of the weak!"
He even introduced himself!? Galleth was meant to be part of tomorrow's work! He agreed even! Why is he here? I groan at my leader's incompetence which to this day has no equal. Now I must escape while getting Galleth out of here.
Looking into the room, it appears to be a fist-fight. Rachett has no sword and Galleth would not wield his over an unarmed beast. The two of them make a mess of the very room which I entered, punching and wresting, trying to gain the upper hand over each other. They even reduce to stepping on each other's tails and biting! No longer able to watch this embarrassingly brutish brawl, I pick up a pottery vase from the hallway. Once Rachett's back is to me, I smash and shattered the piece over his block causing the bloodhound to fall where he stands. Galleth, fists raised and a look of shock seeing me standing there, does nothing to recompose himself. I have a look of great annoyance at my leader. Not only did he unnecessarily barge in on my part of the plan, he also endangered us both causing such a ruckus in the middle of the night! I hold up the desired key as I walk past Galleth, one foot out the window, I say exhaustedly, "Let us be off, Galleth."
When we arrive back at the chapel all the others are huddled around the friar and his candles. All heads turn as Galleth and I walk in from the snow. We traveled by rooftops to avoid attention on the street, and the late-night snowfall hath covered our tracks. They look with relief at seeing us returned and well, awaiting to hear what happened. Before I can pass the keys off to Hucklebee, Galleth cries out happily, "I saved Robin's life!"
Tis only in the good Christmas spirit that Galleth does not receive a good blow to his head.
A/N: I know it's really late for a Christmas chapter, but I'd like to know your thoughts.
Reviews of criticism and what you liked are welcome.
