Robin faced king John in the clearing. A light rain filtered through the trees damping his hair. Behind John there were three of his royal guard holding crossbows, each trained onto robins chest. All of robins band were bound and surrounded by John's men. Only Marian was left untied but left cowering by a tree.

King John had raided the outlaw's camp at dawn taking them by surprise. Only robin had managed to grab his sword and fight off one of the guards. That particular guard was lying about five paces a way with his entrails lying next to him. Robin was still holding his sword but even he knew it was over.

'You can kill me John you can't kill what I have done,' Robin shouted out with confidence.

'All England will remember what has happened,' Robin was shouting out his defiance with all the strength he had.

'Wrong Robin. I will be remembered. They only write about the winners in the books and it looks like I am going to win.'

'If death is your idea of winning then have a rethink. Death is only another adventure. By killing, me all you are proving is that three crossbow bolts can kill a man.'

John smiled, his face forming itself into a sneer. 'I don't care what I prove. By killing you I kill the one man in England that can stop me taking all the land in my country.'

'One thing this country belongs to the people of these isles not one man. And two I am not the only one that can stop you.' John's smiled slipped from his face as it turned into a face contorted by rage.

'Kill the outlaws all apart from Robin and Marian. I want them to suffer.' The Guards worked quickly and silently slitting the throats of the outlaws. Only Little John spoke before the knife slice his gullet.

'Good luck Robin. See you on the other side.' He smiled and then collapsed to the feet of his slayer.

'Now fire at Robin. Slowly though one at a time,'