I got bored with splitting it up, so here is about three chapters in one.
Enjoy!
Rhiannon Blume Freeman
* * *
A mere half hour later, Carson was gone and Stephanie and Daniel had dragged a pair of chairs into the front yard and were sitting outside enjoying the day.
"So what is this incident Carson kept talking about?" Daniel asked.
Stephanie made a face. "I was sneaking into Nottingham for my fencing lesson with Carson's brother, and the Sheriff set a trap for me and got me with an arrow.
"Luckily I was close enough to cover that no one found me, but it took all my strength to make it as far as here, and then I was incapacitated for several days.
"Everyone keeps reminding me that I just recently got back to my full strength and that I need to 'take it easy 'and 'rest.' Especially Carson; she took it personally because she helped me set up the fencing lessons in the first place."
"Fencing lessons?" Daniel questioned.
"As you might have noticed, I'm rather pathetic with a staff, so when I heard that Carson's brother, who happens to be a sword-fighting champion, had been transferred to a close-by garrison, I made Carson arrange a meeting. I'd always wanted to learn how to fight properly with a sword."
"Okay. What's the plan?"
"William is going to come here and I'm going to brush up on my sword- fighting skills so I can go back to Greentree Palace in three and a half weeks and win my friends back by the sword."
"What if you loose?"
"Then I marry Robin."
"Oh. Where do I fit into all of that?" asked Daniel plaintively.
"Well, you don't."
"But-"
Rowan help up a hand. "I brought you along because you were the only one of my bad left. I didn't want you the get yourself captured too. Besides, I've grown rather fond of you. On the other hand, I couldn't care less what you do with yourself for the time being, so long as you don't end up killed, maimed or captured."
"Gee.thanks," muttered Daniel.
"No problem, replied Stephanie happily. "So, how did you end up where you were when we found you?"
Daniel told her, and hey spent the rest of the afternoon speculating on what happened to bring Daniel to the current place and time.
Just as the sun started to sink lower in the sky, Carson walked up with a man trailing in her wake.
"William!" squealed Stephanie. "I'm so glad you could come! Did you bring it?"
"Of course I did." William swung a log, cloth-wrapped bundle off his back.
Stephanie nearly snatched it our of William's arms, turning pink with excitement. She knelt down and carefully unwrapped the package, pulling out a sword.
It was rather short, as words go, but it had to be to fit Stephanie's diminutive size. The blade was polished to a high shine of silver, and the pommel was finely etched with vines and leaves, and elaborate design containing an RH on one side and an SF on the other.
"Stephanie Finnegan?" Daniel asked.
"That's my name," replied Stephanie. She traced her fingers up and down the sword, oblivious to the world.
As she was held entranced by the weapon in her hands, William slung the other three off his back. One went to Carson, who made a face at her older brother; and he himself kept one. But he also handed one to Daniel.
With a surprised and bewildered expression on his face, Daniel took it.
"Rowan said she had a friend that needed training too, and she sent me your measurements. That ought to be right."
Daniel unfolded the cloth to find a long blade, also of a silver sheen, with a plain hilt. "I thought you said you didn't care what I did," he called to Rowan.
"I lied. William, when can we start?" Rowan asked jumping up, her sword help carefully out in front of her.
"Why don't you put that away and go find some practice sticks for us. We'll start tomorrow morning at dawn."
"Will do. Daniel, wanna come with me?"
"Mmm.sure."
Stephanie wandered into the woods, Daniel trailing behind her. Twenty minutes later, Carson and William heard Stephanie scream in the trees nearby. William had his sword half-drawn and was ready to leap into the brush when Stephanie went storming past him, mumbling under her breath.
"Stupid snakes. What are they doing out this late in the year anyway? And it's not like he helped any," she quipped with venomous undertones in her voice as Daniel emerged, laughing himself silly and touting a large bundle of sticks.
"What happened?" asked Carson as Stephanie slammed the front door.
Gasping for breath, Daniel clarified the situation for Carson and William. "She came close to stepping on a garter snake."
Carson giggled. Stephanie leaned out an upper-story window. "I heard that, and it is not funny!" She slammed the window. Carson, Daniel and William looked at each other silently then burst into gales of laughter.
Stephanie listened to them laughing as she sat mumbling on the bed. "Hmph. They can laugh at me all they want. I'm going to sleep. I'll show them."
She fell asleep even as she rested her head on the pillow, thinking as she did that Daniel had slept in this bed the night before.
* * *
"Stephanie?" Daniel called softly, walking into the room. She lay curled up on the bed, fast asleep. He reached over and brushed a few strands of hair away from her face. He stepped out of the room, quietly closing the door.
Carson walked past at that moment, a slight frown on her face. "Something wrong?" she asked.
"Stephanie's asleep in there," Daniel answered.
Carson's frown deepened. "You'll have to sleep in the other room then, if you don't want to sleep on the floor.
Daniel sighed.
Just then, the door Daniel had just shut swung open. Stephanie stepped out, rubbing her eyes. "No, he won't. I'll move. Good night." She walked off, half asleep.
Carson and Daniel looked at her retreating back for a moment, then shrugged. Daniel disappeared into the room Stephanie had just vacated, and went to sleep.
The next morning, at a half an hour before down, Stephanie woke them all by banging a wooden spoon on Carson's cast-iron cook pot.
"What was that for?!" screamed Carson through a yawn, Daniel emphasizing her words with his own wordless grunt.
Stephanie giggled. "I love you all. You know that, right? Besides, it's time to get up for the fencing lessons!"
"Ngh," commented Daniel, and he and Carson both turned away to their respective rooms. Half an hour later, at dawn, everyone was stumbling around the backyard.
"But I don't want to." whined Carson feebly, as her brother thrust a stick into her hand.
"Tough," he grunted as he put them through a series of drills. Surprisingly, Daniel took well to the sword, despite his exhaustion. By the time the sun was high in the sky, Carson and Stephanie had flopped down in the shade, but Daniel and William were still hacking at each other with the sticks.
Stephanie rolled over and looked at Carson. "This is going to be a long month," she commented.
Carson simply nodded.
* * *
Three hectic weeks later, Rowan woke up in a cold sweat in the middle of the night. Careful not to disturb anyone, she started tot gather her things together. She got dressed in several layers, belted her sword across her back, and packed a bag of rations.
As she softly padded across the great room towards the door, Daniel, on the floor in front of the fire, rolled over in his sleep. Rowan glanced back at him fondly, then rolled her eyes. She hunted up a piece of parchment and a pen. After scribbling a hasty note on the parchment, she laid it next to his head, and after a moment's hesitation kissed him on the cheek and scampered out the door.
For a brief moment, Daniel lifted his head, but then dropped it back to the pillow and went back to sleep.
The next morning, he woke to Carson's screech. "Rowan's gone!"
"What?" he asked groggily. In lifting his head, he noticed the scrap of parchment beside his pillow. Rubbing at his eyes, he glanced over it. "Shit." he murmured.
Carson was running around in circles, tearing at her hair as Daniel struggled to his feet and shoved the note into her hands. "Read that, it explains it," he said. Carson stopped her ranting long enough to read it, then started groaning. What are we going to do?!" She yelled.
Daniel, by this time, was running around, much as Rowan had the night before. With a pack filled with food and extra clothing in one hand and his sword in the other, he replied, "I'm going after her."
Carson squeaked in dismay, and watched Daniel running around, a slightly confused look on her face. The note fell to the floor, forgotten. It read as follows:
Daniel,
I had a dream that made me remember that several people's lives are riding on me getting to Greentree Palace within the next three days. If I can't beat Robin in a duel, I'll give in and marry him. I want you to get away. There is no telling what Robin might do to you. I'll send Annie to find you once everything is settled down. Oh, and take Carson with you.
Thanks so much, Stephanie Rowan Hood
"But." Carson feebly protested. Daniel looked at her, and she subsided.
"You stay here," he ordered.
"But."
"No doubt Rowan will send someone to you to make sure you're okay once she can. Until then, you stay here, or better yet, go into town with William and stay there."
"But."
Daniel glared at her.
"Ngh.fine."
Moments later, Daniel rushed out the door in the same direction Rowan had gone several hours before. As he raced through the forest, he contemplated what he was doing, and hat he though he could do.
He slowed to a walk. What did he think he was doing? Rowan had been trained who knows how much longer with a sword than he had, and she seemed to know what she was doing.
He shook his head, putting all thought aside, and continued trudging after Rowan.
A day later, he came up against a wooden palisade. Frowning, he followed the wall around. At places along the wall every twenty feet or so was a green, painted tree. It didn't take long for Daniel to realize where he was.
He continued walking until he came to a wide dirt path, fifty feet long that disappeared through a large gate in the wall. People were thronging out of the forest at various intervals and through the gate.
Daniel shrugged and joined them. Two men stood on either side of the gate, seeming to check face as people went past. Daniel carefully ducked his head. The men let him pass with no more than a cursory glance.
Not knowing where in the world to start looking for Rowan, Daniel allowed himself to be swept along with the crowd. Lined on either side of the pathway were a handful of buildings. One appeared to be a tavern ad inn, while the rest seemed simply to be barracks.
At the end of the avenue stood a structure that caught and held Daniel's attention. A giant tree stood all alone, and around it had been built a palace of sorts. There was no doubt in this mind that this was Greentree Palace.
A grand staircase swept up to the second floor, ending in a set of double doors. At the bottom of the staircase was a rink, filled with what appeared to be sand. The rest of the palace was more or less a giant tree house, built in and around the central tree. Flimsy-looking catwalks connected separate outbuildings and rooms, perched on and hanging from massive limbs.
Even as he examined the building, a horn blasted and the double front doors swung wide. People jostled past Daniel to ring the sand rink as a man descended the stairs.
He was finely boned, slim, and small in stature, with a rat-like face. He was dressed in a green robe, with a cream tunic and leggings underneath. He gracefully shed the robe and handed it to an attendant, who handed him a sword.
"Robin Hood!" Daniel's breath caught in his throat, willing the announcer not to confirm what he was afraid he already knew. "And today's challenger- " Daniel squinted his eyes shut. "-Rowan Hood!"
"Shit, Stephanie." Daniel whispered as the lady in question appeared at the top of the staircase, dressed much as Robin was and dead pale, though with a determined set to her face. Her sword was clenched in one fist, her hair wound on top of her head.
Despite her apparent apprehension, he gracefully descended the stairs, disdain and condensation written in every movement. She paused and said something to Robin, whose face grew red. Rowan smiled primly as Robin stood there sputtering. She turned to the announcer, and after a brief word, his voice was heard loud and clear over the crowd.
"Everyone gather 'round! This is a duel to decide not only the leadership of both Sherwood tribes, but also the freedom of this young lady, and many of her friends."
Rowan pursed her lips, while Robin nodded smugly. Daniel groaned inwardly and pushed his way to the front of the crowd.
"Should Rowan win, she will be free to choose her own fate, but should she loose.well, you can pick up your wedding invitations on the way out.
Rowan and Daniel simultaneously shuddered.
"Duelists, take your positions!"
Rowan and Robin Hood moved to face each other.
"Fight!"
The crowd exploded as the two came together in deadly combat. Daniel, thanks to his size, had an excellent view of the fight. He could see that although both were evenly matched, Rowan was tiring quickly.
Robin scored the first hit. Daniel winced as red blood blossomed against the cream of Rowan's tunic. Even across the distance between them, he could sense her fear, and he could see her fighting like a cornered animal. She was, after all, gambling with her life.
Nevertheless, Robin scored the last hit as well. In a split second opening, he sliced up and gouged a shallow cut from hip to shoulder, diagonally across Rowan's front. She fell backwards into the sand.
Daniel's shout was lost in the crowd's uproar. As Stephanie was lifted unmoving onto a stretcher, her face too pale, and as Robin turned diffidently to climb the staircase, Daniel stumbled onto the sand rink.
"Wait," he shouted at Robin's retreating back.
The crowd fell silent as Daniel drew his sword and Robin turned to face him. "I'll fight you for the same stakes," he announced "the leadership and her life." He nodded towards Stephanie's limp form being carried into the palace.
Robin looked Daniel up and down, snorted, and replied "You have nothing to loose but your life. I will fight you. Who are you, anyway?"
Daniel thought for a moment, then simply replied "Daniel."
"Well, okay then Daniel. Let us fight."
Right then and there, the duel began. The crowd was hushed, awed by what was happening. The two fought up and down the stairs of the palace, down and across the rink, past the buildings and into the trees.
By this time sweat was pouring down Daniel's face, and he paused a moment behind a tree to wipe it from his eyes. In that split second, his opponent disappeared. For a moment, Daniel panicked, but a fleeting memory passed through his mind. "Why does no one ever look up?" whispered Stephanie's voice.
He jerked his head back just in time to see and sidestep robin jumping out of the foliage above. On and on the battle raged. Finally, with numerous cuts and scratches, the pair fought their way back to the ring.
In transferring from the compacted dirt to the loose sand, Daniel left a small opening in his guard. Moments later a deep slash to his left upper arm was bleeding freely.
Robin smirked. "Guess you're going to loose your life after all, aren't you?"
Daniel looked him straight in the eye for a moment, and, drawing up his last reserves of strength, he bought his sword crashing down on Robin,
Robin's own sword, feebly raised in an attempt to block, shattered tot e hilt. At the last moment, Daniel stopped. In a quiet voice, he spoke to the former Robin Hood.
"I want you to go away. Far away. And if I ever see you anywhere near this place or near Rowan, I will kill you on the spot."
Thomas, as that is what he was called before he was Robin, blanched at the fervor in Daniel's voice and hurriedly agreed to the terms. As soon as Daniel let him up, he staggered off into the woods.
* * *
A mere half hour later, Carson was gone and Stephanie and Daniel had dragged a pair of chairs into the front yard and were sitting outside enjoying the day.
"So what is this incident Carson kept talking about?" Daniel asked.
Stephanie made a face. "I was sneaking into Nottingham for my fencing lesson with Carson's brother, and the Sheriff set a trap for me and got me with an arrow.
"Luckily I was close enough to cover that no one found me, but it took all my strength to make it as far as here, and then I was incapacitated for several days.
"Everyone keeps reminding me that I just recently got back to my full strength and that I need to 'take it easy 'and 'rest.' Especially Carson; she took it personally because she helped me set up the fencing lessons in the first place."
"Fencing lessons?" Daniel questioned.
"As you might have noticed, I'm rather pathetic with a staff, so when I heard that Carson's brother, who happens to be a sword-fighting champion, had been transferred to a close-by garrison, I made Carson arrange a meeting. I'd always wanted to learn how to fight properly with a sword."
"Okay. What's the plan?"
"William is going to come here and I'm going to brush up on my sword- fighting skills so I can go back to Greentree Palace in three and a half weeks and win my friends back by the sword."
"What if you loose?"
"Then I marry Robin."
"Oh. Where do I fit into all of that?" asked Daniel plaintively.
"Well, you don't."
"But-"
Rowan help up a hand. "I brought you along because you were the only one of my bad left. I didn't want you the get yourself captured too. Besides, I've grown rather fond of you. On the other hand, I couldn't care less what you do with yourself for the time being, so long as you don't end up killed, maimed or captured."
"Gee.thanks," muttered Daniel.
"No problem, replied Stephanie happily. "So, how did you end up where you were when we found you?"
Daniel told her, and hey spent the rest of the afternoon speculating on what happened to bring Daniel to the current place and time.
Just as the sun started to sink lower in the sky, Carson walked up with a man trailing in her wake.
"William!" squealed Stephanie. "I'm so glad you could come! Did you bring it?"
"Of course I did." William swung a log, cloth-wrapped bundle off his back.
Stephanie nearly snatched it our of William's arms, turning pink with excitement. She knelt down and carefully unwrapped the package, pulling out a sword.
It was rather short, as words go, but it had to be to fit Stephanie's diminutive size. The blade was polished to a high shine of silver, and the pommel was finely etched with vines and leaves, and elaborate design containing an RH on one side and an SF on the other.
"Stephanie Finnegan?" Daniel asked.
"That's my name," replied Stephanie. She traced her fingers up and down the sword, oblivious to the world.
As she was held entranced by the weapon in her hands, William slung the other three off his back. One went to Carson, who made a face at her older brother; and he himself kept one. But he also handed one to Daniel.
With a surprised and bewildered expression on his face, Daniel took it.
"Rowan said she had a friend that needed training too, and she sent me your measurements. That ought to be right."
Daniel unfolded the cloth to find a long blade, also of a silver sheen, with a plain hilt. "I thought you said you didn't care what I did," he called to Rowan.
"I lied. William, when can we start?" Rowan asked jumping up, her sword help carefully out in front of her.
"Why don't you put that away and go find some practice sticks for us. We'll start tomorrow morning at dawn."
"Will do. Daniel, wanna come with me?"
"Mmm.sure."
Stephanie wandered into the woods, Daniel trailing behind her. Twenty minutes later, Carson and William heard Stephanie scream in the trees nearby. William had his sword half-drawn and was ready to leap into the brush when Stephanie went storming past him, mumbling under her breath.
"Stupid snakes. What are they doing out this late in the year anyway? And it's not like he helped any," she quipped with venomous undertones in her voice as Daniel emerged, laughing himself silly and touting a large bundle of sticks.
"What happened?" asked Carson as Stephanie slammed the front door.
Gasping for breath, Daniel clarified the situation for Carson and William. "She came close to stepping on a garter snake."
Carson giggled. Stephanie leaned out an upper-story window. "I heard that, and it is not funny!" She slammed the window. Carson, Daniel and William looked at each other silently then burst into gales of laughter.
Stephanie listened to them laughing as she sat mumbling on the bed. "Hmph. They can laugh at me all they want. I'm going to sleep. I'll show them."
She fell asleep even as she rested her head on the pillow, thinking as she did that Daniel had slept in this bed the night before.
* * *
"Stephanie?" Daniel called softly, walking into the room. She lay curled up on the bed, fast asleep. He reached over and brushed a few strands of hair away from her face. He stepped out of the room, quietly closing the door.
Carson walked past at that moment, a slight frown on her face. "Something wrong?" she asked.
"Stephanie's asleep in there," Daniel answered.
Carson's frown deepened. "You'll have to sleep in the other room then, if you don't want to sleep on the floor.
Daniel sighed.
Just then, the door Daniel had just shut swung open. Stephanie stepped out, rubbing her eyes. "No, he won't. I'll move. Good night." She walked off, half asleep.
Carson and Daniel looked at her retreating back for a moment, then shrugged. Daniel disappeared into the room Stephanie had just vacated, and went to sleep.
The next morning, at a half an hour before down, Stephanie woke them all by banging a wooden spoon on Carson's cast-iron cook pot.
"What was that for?!" screamed Carson through a yawn, Daniel emphasizing her words with his own wordless grunt.
Stephanie giggled. "I love you all. You know that, right? Besides, it's time to get up for the fencing lessons!"
"Ngh," commented Daniel, and he and Carson both turned away to their respective rooms. Half an hour later, at dawn, everyone was stumbling around the backyard.
"But I don't want to." whined Carson feebly, as her brother thrust a stick into her hand.
"Tough," he grunted as he put them through a series of drills. Surprisingly, Daniel took well to the sword, despite his exhaustion. By the time the sun was high in the sky, Carson and Stephanie had flopped down in the shade, but Daniel and William were still hacking at each other with the sticks.
Stephanie rolled over and looked at Carson. "This is going to be a long month," she commented.
Carson simply nodded.
* * *
Three hectic weeks later, Rowan woke up in a cold sweat in the middle of the night. Careful not to disturb anyone, she started tot gather her things together. She got dressed in several layers, belted her sword across her back, and packed a bag of rations.
As she softly padded across the great room towards the door, Daniel, on the floor in front of the fire, rolled over in his sleep. Rowan glanced back at him fondly, then rolled her eyes. She hunted up a piece of parchment and a pen. After scribbling a hasty note on the parchment, she laid it next to his head, and after a moment's hesitation kissed him on the cheek and scampered out the door.
For a brief moment, Daniel lifted his head, but then dropped it back to the pillow and went back to sleep.
The next morning, he woke to Carson's screech. "Rowan's gone!"
"What?" he asked groggily. In lifting his head, he noticed the scrap of parchment beside his pillow. Rubbing at his eyes, he glanced over it. "Shit." he murmured.
Carson was running around in circles, tearing at her hair as Daniel struggled to his feet and shoved the note into her hands. "Read that, it explains it," he said. Carson stopped her ranting long enough to read it, then started groaning. What are we going to do?!" She yelled.
Daniel, by this time, was running around, much as Rowan had the night before. With a pack filled with food and extra clothing in one hand and his sword in the other, he replied, "I'm going after her."
Carson squeaked in dismay, and watched Daniel running around, a slightly confused look on her face. The note fell to the floor, forgotten. It read as follows:
Daniel,
I had a dream that made me remember that several people's lives are riding on me getting to Greentree Palace within the next three days. If I can't beat Robin in a duel, I'll give in and marry him. I want you to get away. There is no telling what Robin might do to you. I'll send Annie to find you once everything is settled down. Oh, and take Carson with you.
Thanks so much, Stephanie Rowan Hood
"But." Carson feebly protested. Daniel looked at her, and she subsided.
"You stay here," he ordered.
"But."
"No doubt Rowan will send someone to you to make sure you're okay once she can. Until then, you stay here, or better yet, go into town with William and stay there."
"But."
Daniel glared at her.
"Ngh.fine."
Moments later, Daniel rushed out the door in the same direction Rowan had gone several hours before. As he raced through the forest, he contemplated what he was doing, and hat he though he could do.
He slowed to a walk. What did he think he was doing? Rowan had been trained who knows how much longer with a sword than he had, and she seemed to know what she was doing.
He shook his head, putting all thought aside, and continued trudging after Rowan.
A day later, he came up against a wooden palisade. Frowning, he followed the wall around. At places along the wall every twenty feet or so was a green, painted tree. It didn't take long for Daniel to realize where he was.
He continued walking until he came to a wide dirt path, fifty feet long that disappeared through a large gate in the wall. People were thronging out of the forest at various intervals and through the gate.
Daniel shrugged and joined them. Two men stood on either side of the gate, seeming to check face as people went past. Daniel carefully ducked his head. The men let him pass with no more than a cursory glance.
Not knowing where in the world to start looking for Rowan, Daniel allowed himself to be swept along with the crowd. Lined on either side of the pathway were a handful of buildings. One appeared to be a tavern ad inn, while the rest seemed simply to be barracks.
At the end of the avenue stood a structure that caught and held Daniel's attention. A giant tree stood all alone, and around it had been built a palace of sorts. There was no doubt in this mind that this was Greentree Palace.
A grand staircase swept up to the second floor, ending in a set of double doors. At the bottom of the staircase was a rink, filled with what appeared to be sand. The rest of the palace was more or less a giant tree house, built in and around the central tree. Flimsy-looking catwalks connected separate outbuildings and rooms, perched on and hanging from massive limbs.
Even as he examined the building, a horn blasted and the double front doors swung wide. People jostled past Daniel to ring the sand rink as a man descended the stairs.
He was finely boned, slim, and small in stature, with a rat-like face. He was dressed in a green robe, with a cream tunic and leggings underneath. He gracefully shed the robe and handed it to an attendant, who handed him a sword.
"Robin Hood!" Daniel's breath caught in his throat, willing the announcer not to confirm what he was afraid he already knew. "And today's challenger- " Daniel squinted his eyes shut. "-Rowan Hood!"
"Shit, Stephanie." Daniel whispered as the lady in question appeared at the top of the staircase, dressed much as Robin was and dead pale, though with a determined set to her face. Her sword was clenched in one fist, her hair wound on top of her head.
Despite her apparent apprehension, he gracefully descended the stairs, disdain and condensation written in every movement. She paused and said something to Robin, whose face grew red. Rowan smiled primly as Robin stood there sputtering. She turned to the announcer, and after a brief word, his voice was heard loud and clear over the crowd.
"Everyone gather 'round! This is a duel to decide not only the leadership of both Sherwood tribes, but also the freedom of this young lady, and many of her friends."
Rowan pursed her lips, while Robin nodded smugly. Daniel groaned inwardly and pushed his way to the front of the crowd.
"Should Rowan win, she will be free to choose her own fate, but should she loose.well, you can pick up your wedding invitations on the way out.
Rowan and Daniel simultaneously shuddered.
"Duelists, take your positions!"
Rowan and Robin Hood moved to face each other.
"Fight!"
The crowd exploded as the two came together in deadly combat. Daniel, thanks to his size, had an excellent view of the fight. He could see that although both were evenly matched, Rowan was tiring quickly.
Robin scored the first hit. Daniel winced as red blood blossomed against the cream of Rowan's tunic. Even across the distance between them, he could sense her fear, and he could see her fighting like a cornered animal. She was, after all, gambling with her life.
Nevertheless, Robin scored the last hit as well. In a split second opening, he sliced up and gouged a shallow cut from hip to shoulder, diagonally across Rowan's front. She fell backwards into the sand.
Daniel's shout was lost in the crowd's uproar. As Stephanie was lifted unmoving onto a stretcher, her face too pale, and as Robin turned diffidently to climb the staircase, Daniel stumbled onto the sand rink.
"Wait," he shouted at Robin's retreating back.
The crowd fell silent as Daniel drew his sword and Robin turned to face him. "I'll fight you for the same stakes," he announced "the leadership and her life." He nodded towards Stephanie's limp form being carried into the palace.
Robin looked Daniel up and down, snorted, and replied "You have nothing to loose but your life. I will fight you. Who are you, anyway?"
Daniel thought for a moment, then simply replied "Daniel."
"Well, okay then Daniel. Let us fight."
Right then and there, the duel began. The crowd was hushed, awed by what was happening. The two fought up and down the stairs of the palace, down and across the rink, past the buildings and into the trees.
By this time sweat was pouring down Daniel's face, and he paused a moment behind a tree to wipe it from his eyes. In that split second, his opponent disappeared. For a moment, Daniel panicked, but a fleeting memory passed through his mind. "Why does no one ever look up?" whispered Stephanie's voice.
He jerked his head back just in time to see and sidestep robin jumping out of the foliage above. On and on the battle raged. Finally, with numerous cuts and scratches, the pair fought their way back to the ring.
In transferring from the compacted dirt to the loose sand, Daniel left a small opening in his guard. Moments later a deep slash to his left upper arm was bleeding freely.
Robin smirked. "Guess you're going to loose your life after all, aren't you?"
Daniel looked him straight in the eye for a moment, and, drawing up his last reserves of strength, he bought his sword crashing down on Robin,
Robin's own sword, feebly raised in an attempt to block, shattered tot e hilt. At the last moment, Daniel stopped. In a quiet voice, he spoke to the former Robin Hood.
"I want you to go away. Far away. And if I ever see you anywhere near this place or near Rowan, I will kill you on the spot."
Thomas, as that is what he was called before he was Robin, blanched at the fervor in Daniel's voice and hurriedly agreed to the terms. As soon as Daniel let him up, he staggered off into the woods.