There could be no going back, most importantly because Char was not fond of dark, damp places with gigantic worms and centipedes and so on. And thus it was that when the men, all of whom looked very big and strong, came to recapture the four, it was Char who fought the hardest, actually keeping them off for a few minutes and even knocking out one of them. It was probably the passing merchant who saved the day, though. The four, plus Walnut, were making more than enough commotion to alert him of their peril. So he abandoned his wares on the twisty road, hiking off into the woods to find the four (or five) pitted against the thirty or so. Once it became clear that Char, with the assistance of her friends (who fought with a little less gusto), couldn't hold them off for long, he came to their rescue. Grabbing a massive stick from the ground, at least a foot taller than he was, he twirled it in a maneuver that made the fighting stop for a whole ten seconds. Then he did a few more maneuvers, and the entire outlaw band no longer felt like imprisoning Char, Beth, Seth, or James. He gave them a quick smile, tossed down the stick, and went whistling on his way. Needless to say, the four followed him, James carrying Walnut on his shoulder.
"So," said the merchant. "Would you be so kind as to give me an explanation?"
Everyone looked at Char, the unofficial storyteller. She glared at them, but told their tale.
"Wonderful! The telling, that is, not the tale in particular," the man exclaimed. His blue eyes, like Beth's and Seth's, as well as James' green ones, were focused on Char. She grinned happily.
"Um, who are you?" Seth asked a few minutes later. The merchant thought a few moments.
"A merchant," he said at last.
"What's your name?"
"Oh, fine. You're going to figure it all out soon anyway. I'm Robin Hood. I had to pass through this forest on my way back to Sherwood from the May fair. If you don't mind, I'm going to take you to Sherwood for a while. These woods don't seem very safe. So, if you wouldn't mind hopping in the cart so we can get moving," he said, grinning. Char narrowed her eyes to look at him again. Beth sat silently. Seth was sorting through the tales of Robin Hood in his head. James held Walnut and gaped. Walnut licked himself. They all climbed into the back, sitting among clay pots and sculptures. Robin jumped onto the ledge where the driver would sit and got the horses trotting.
"Did you make these?" Seth asked, examining one of the pots.
"No, I traded some of my things with a traveling potter." Once again, there was silence. The trees soon thinned then stopped, for the most part. This time the bumpy ride was not quite as boring as the one earlier, for Char overcame her limited shyness quickly. Hours of questions ensued. The cart didn't stop as often as before. In fact, they continued rolling even after dark, though Robin had to pause at a farm to change horses. So, what would have taken another five days, only took two. And they came upon no bandits whatsoever.
Beth and Char held one of their silent conferences again the second afternoon.
"Arg!" said James. "I like English!"
"Me too!" said Seth and Robin Hood. Curiosity had gotten the better of both of them.
"Fine," snapped Char. "We were just communicating about possible political outcomes since Beth won't be there in time. So far, we've deduced that the most likely case is that Barnabas will blame it all on the Baron of Selby, Beth's father, for not supplying more guards. Barnabas is not a peaceful man, so we're counting on violence."
"Well done; You're right! Barnabas is already preparing for war, though the Baron of Selby still has no idea anything is amiss," Robin told them.
"How do you know?" Seth asked.
"I have people everywhere." Seth looked around uneasily. And even more uneasily when a hand poked out of a nearby tree and waved.
"I see," he said nervously.
Soon the cart stopped.
"Everybody out!" called Robin. "We walk the rest of the way."
A week later in Sherwood Forest
"Now. This is how you stab," directed a green-clad outlaw. "Keep your arm close to your body, and don't arc down, shove straight out. Getting there." Char went through the motion a few more times.
"Hey, Seth!" she yelled. Seth knew better than to come closer. Earlier that week, she'd demonstrated some hand-to-hand fighting on him. He hadn't been overjoyed. Being stabbed with a practice stick wouldn't make his day, either. So he continued to listen to Alan-a-Dale explain how to properly hold a lute.
"Fine," muttered Char. She sneaked behind him, catching Alan's eye first for approval. Then she poked Seth with a stick.
"Well done!" congratulated her instructor, Will Stuteley. "Next time, keep your balance on the other foot." Char nodded, poking Seth again, but this time doing so perfectly.
"Good!"
James glanced up from one of Friar Tuck's dogs that he was playing with. "Yes, well done stabbing Seth, Char!" Beth, who'd been discussing the situation of Selby with Midge (the miller), looked over at this remark. Seth was yelling at Char, who was now sitting in an oak, laughing. With the sun beginning to cast its final golden rays across the treetops of Sherwood, Seth, Beth, James, and Char argued incessantly amidst Robin Hood's outlaw band.
So, what thought you? Do you think I ought to continue it? Review...