Steady now, hold it straight." His hand was warm against my small, eight year old back. "Breath in, breath out," I released the arrow watching it to its intended target, a white tailed rabbit.
"Robin! Get up!" John pushed roughly.
Turning over she grumbled, "This is all the thanks I get for saving your hide!" Robin continued to grumble throwing bedding and supplies into her worn out sack. "Where's that sister of yours, Litle? She'd best not be wandering too far off."
John looked at her sharply, his brown eyes narrowing, "Don't go getting all close to my sister you hear." I just chuckled, my bad mood gone, and waved him off.
"All I need is her needle; I ripped me pants last night." The anger left his face replaced with guilt.
"I didn't gets to properly thank you last night in all the confusion," he paused, "so thank you," with that he marched away calling for his sister. A soft holler answered just before a young lass burst through the bushes. Robin winced as she stashed the last of her supplies away.
"Is it time to go?" Litle asked eagerly.
Eyeing the bush Litle has just come through Robin jerked her head, "You two get going. I showed John the path yesterday. I'll be behind you in a bit." Litle frowned, her enthusiasm wavering.
"You're not going to leave us are you?" She asked walking over to hand Robin her bow & quiver.
"Not yet. I still need your needle once we camp tonight. Now get on with it" Robin gave her a little shove and soon the twins were off. As long as they kept on the trail they'd be safe enough. With a sigh Robin got to work disguising the mess they had left in an effort to confuse their pursuers. The twins, she was sure, hadn't noticed that we were being followed. Jogging slowly, Robin scanned the trees, realizing once she reached the dirt road she groaned, "Dang it, he strayed from the trail, that moron!" Panting she retraced my steps, freezing when low murmurs drifted through the trees.
"Pretty little girl you got there young man, you wouldn't mind sharing would you?" the voice was low and raspy. Robin set her sack down and started to climb the nearest oak.
"Don't you dare touch my sister," John hissed. His face was hidden by the shadows of the rising sun. Behind him Litle stood glaring at the three men that surrounded them. The man laughed.
"I like a lass with some fire," another man said, clapping his hand on his friend's shoulder. From her perch Robin could tell they were armed and at least somewhat skilled. Their swords were worn and not merely decoration. Robin cocked her arrow. Breath in. Breath out. Her arrow flew to it's mark quickly followed by two more. John stared at the men, too shocked to look away, his fits clenched. Litle ignored the grotesk scene before her scanning the trees. She let out a squeak when Robin dropped from a branch behind them.
"I told you to stay on the path," Robin hissed angrily.
"You," he paused bewildered, "killed them…"
"Yes, I killed them, I wouldn't have had to if you had listened!" Robin continued to seeth. "As soon as we get to Nottingham, I will leave you in their trusted care," She picked up their belongings forgotten in the dirt at their feet.
"Why are you going to leave us there?" Litle asked. Anxiously wringing her hands as she looked everywhere, but the bodies that lay a few feet away.
Robin approached stopping right in front of her. Her jaw clenched. She spoke low, her voice hard with anger.
"I am not a good guy." Litle stood still eyes wide, she didn't glance away, but remained silent. Finally she took a breath to steady herself.
"Yes you are or you would have let those men take us," Her eyes regarded Robins coolly.
Robin grinned. "Those are not the first men I've killed, and will not be the last. Those men are after me, not you. If you continue to stay with me things like what just happened will be normal everyday."
"It's our choice," Litle looked at her brother who stood in brooding silence, "I choose to go with you."
"Isn't big brother bear going to object?" Robin shot a glare at John. Glad for once that his overbearing nature will work out in her favor. He remained silent. Great. The one time he decides to be quiet.
"Just don't slow me down, " she grumbled, walking back towards the dirt road.
"If you don't mind me asking, why are there bad men after you?" Litle asked, picking up her pace.
"I killed my father, making me a wanted man. That and I can't help, but steal when offered the chance," Robin grinned, offering a hand to help Litle up the rocky slope and onto the road. "Just a little further and we will be able to find some proper lodging at a friend of mine's place."
"How far is a little?" John grunted his foot slipping on the rocks. Robin thought for a moment, glancing at the sun.
"If we make good time it'll be before sunset. It's a friendly little town." Quiet settled between them. The leaves rustling through the oaks and birds chattered not too far off. The quiet Robin enjoyed. She still wasn't completely sure how she'd managed to let these two tag-a-long. The plan was simple. Get in, grab the jewels, get out. The twins weren't due to drop off wood to the manor for a few more days. Yet there they were in the perfect position to get blamed for her robbery.
