Vasey worked hard throughout the night, putting all the pieces of his two-pronged plan into place.

Step one was to stop Richard's coronation by causing an uprising among the people, turning them against him. This Vasey accomplished more easily than even he anticipated, all due to Richard's noble proclamation that as king, he would provide the Jews living in England equal protection under the law. Such protection had never before been granted to the Jewish people, and Vasey used it to his, and to Prince John's, advantage.

Promising money he had no intention of paying, Vasey planted a score of men to badmouth the Jews everywhere the populace gathered, claiming that King Richard was controlled by them. In taverns, in marketplaces, even in churches, Vasey's employees spread vicious lies, poisoning the minds of Londoners against their Jewish neighbors, and ultimately against their new king.

Grateful for the king's protection, Jews began leaving gifts for their new monarch outside the Palace of Westminster, only adding fuel to the fire Vasey was setting. The Christians felt threatened and riots broke out all over London.

"Glorious, Gisbourne, hmm?" Vasey asked, rubbing his hands together in glee as he watched a Jewish business burn to the ground. "Remember your job. It is crucial, Gisbourne, to our success."

"When the king appears to quell the riots, I, disguised as a Jew, will kill him."

"Very good, Gisbourne!"

Guy looked forward to the prospect. Killing was the one thing that made him feel powerful, with all the power he believed due to him denied him.

But Vasey had made one mistake he was repeat again and again in the future. He hadn't accounted for Robin of Locksley, whose natural leadership abilities, rousing persuasive speeches, and boundless energy quieted the riots and brought the people together.

It wasn't only Robin, though he was amazing. King Richard and his mother Queen Eleanor, whom Richard called "England's treasure," both appeared among the crowds, inspiring peace, love of country, and unity among the people. And just as Guy of Gisbourne, in his disguise, was approaching the king to kill him, Locksley appeared by the king's side to protect him, fingers twitching just above his sword hilt. Gisbourne didn't stand a chance, and he paid for it later, enduring Vasey's frustrated anger.

Robin's part in quelling the riots made him a hero, and King Richard promised to knight him even though he was just shy of turning nineteen. Men who earned knighthoods had to wait until they were twenty-one, but Robin of Locksley was exceptional.

"Who is he?" Vasey screamed again, tearing out the little bit of hair on his head he had left, his plan to remove King Richard thwarted.

Gisbourne, as furious as Vasey, had learned the young noble's identity. "The Earl of Huntington," he snarled, "from the county of Nottinghamshire. Lord Robin of Locksley."

"Robin...like the bird? Ooh! Never mind, Gisbourne," Vasey decided. "We'll have another chance to get rid of the king. For now, we need to concentrate on Step Two of my plan...today's joust, and remove Prince Geoffrey from the line of succession, making Prince John second in line to the throne."

"Another disguise I have to wear?" Gisbourne sneered.

"The Black Knight, Gisbourne. The Black Knight. No one must see your face. You will be the mysterious challenger to Prince Geoffrey in the joust, and after you kill him, you will disappear."

"You make it sound easy. I am unused to jousting, while it's sport for the prince."

"Yes, but it won't be sport, when he discovers his lance is broken, and his armor falls to pieces. He will be completely unprotected, and all you have to do, Gisbourne, is stick your lance, a lance dipped in poison, in the proper place! You ought to be good at that, Gisbourne, hmm? You know how to stick your lance, don't you? Oh, this is good! This is good!"

Gisbourne felt sick at Vasey's implication, but knew he must continue to follow this disgusting little man if he was to obtain the power, position, and wealth that should have been his. But he had one final misgiving.

"What about Prince Geoffrey's squire? He'll check his lance and armor before the round."

"Did you not think I hadn't considered that, hmm, Gisbourne? You will take care, shall we say, of his squire before the joust, rendering it impossible for him to perform his duties. I have already engaged a substitute...a man loyal to Prince John. Nothing, Gisbourne, can stop us now."

But Guy wasn't so sure. Vasey's plan to remove King Richard hadn't worked, all due to the Earl of Huntington. Gisbourne hoped he wouldn't have to face this Robin of Locksley in the joust. Somehow, he guessed this man, young though he was, would be a strong opponent.

...

(Note: The story about Richard vowing to protect the Jews, their leaving him gifts, and the riots that broke out because of it just before Richard's coronation are actual historical facts. Of course, Vasey played no part in it...or did he? hee hee hee. But history records that the actual Earl of Huntington did play a large role in quieting the riots. His name wasn't Robin of Locksley, but it should have been!)