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THE HOOD

Chapter Six – Interrogation

Squall had made his way across the camp to speak with Irvine. He wanted to know what they had found on the cart and why soldiers were protecting it. At first on seeing the soldiers he had thought that they were there to protect the two women. But after seeing absolutely no defence being placed around them from their initial attack, he thought this very strange indeed. The soldiers had instead protected the cart, which meant something of great importance or value was being transported.

As he reached the other side he saw that Irvine and his men had removed all the contents from the cart. Its driver long since sent on his way back to Balamb. The poor man was convinced that these bandits would cut his throat, but instead Irvine had convinced him that his men never killed servants. The poor man was like the others that they had encountered. Fed nothing more than scraps from the master's table and treated no better than dogs. Things had certainly changed since the Kings departure.

So they gave him enough food to last him at least a week and then sent him on his way.

"Have you found anything of interest?" Asked Squall.

Irvine looked at Squall and said

"The large trunk here belongs to the women for it is only clothes and shoes."

"I suggest that this is returned to them," stated Squall.

Irvine nodded and instructed two of his men to take the trunk over to the two women.

Then he continued

" There was food, kegs of ale and wine. But the item of interest is the smaller chest here for it is locked and will not open."

Squall stepping forward to get a better look at the chest glanced at its lid and drew a sharp intake of breath in complete horror. Carved on the top were the initials of his father 'J.J.L' (John James Leonhart) complete with the Leonhart family crest. A picture of a lion standing proudly, its mouth gaped wide in a roar and the motto 'Defender of the Weak' carved in the wood under its paws.

Squall regaining his composure said

"This is a treasure chest of which I expect to find the key in the Sheriffs possession. I think it is time for us to have words with him."

Irvine agreed and so they walked over to the two suspended captives. Pulling the sack off the Sheriffs head Squall said

"Now I have heard the stories about the type of man you are and the arrogance in your face confirms this to me. You sir do not deserve the title of Sheriff for you do not defend the rights of the people, nor do you protect a lady's honour. Why is that?"

"Defend the rights! Ha! How rich indeed coming from the mouth of a mere bandit. What does an outlaw know of honour?" asked the Sheriff.

Squall grasped the chain around the Sheriffs neck and venomously replied

"Here now I am an outlaw, but I am a Knight of King Laguna's court and for that I know a lot about honour. A lady is always treated with respect, but I do not expect a man of your calibre would understand this."

"You a Knight! All of the Knights are fighting in the crusade, not hiding in the trees of a Woodland. As to her " said the Sheriff, as he looked in the direction of Milady

"She is to be my prize and I will treat her how I wish!"

Squall gripped the chain tighter as he pulled the Sheriff closer and said

"Some have returned like me and find your talk of a woman being a prize distasteful. Who would offer such a thing as a lady in this manner?"

"Prince Norg offered her in return for my services. When he has been crowned King I am to take her hand in marriage. Maybe then she will be a little more obliging and I will certainly enjoy deflowering that beauty." Stated the Sheriff.

Squall's eyes narrowed underneath his hood as his mind processed the Sheriff's comments.

"Let me explain something to you. Laguna is still the King of this land and only he can agree to the marriage of any Lady. He would be outraged that you are both treating her no better than a lady of the night. When he returns one thing is certain. He will never declare this Prince Norg as his successor,"

said Squall.

"We shall see!" said the Sheriff.

Squall let go of the chain around Sheriff Siefer's neck and stormed off. Knowing that if he did not leave he would end up killing the Sheriff and shove that gold chain in his throat as a parting gesture. But he wanted this Siefer to suffer. The man was more than a monster. He had taken his home and land. Made his people suffer and he wanted nothing more than to get it all back. But he needed allies to accomplish this task and right now he needed to think. But all that was rolling around in his head was that he needed to protect Milady and get her as far away from Norg and the Sheriff.

Over the other side of the camp Zell had arranged some blankets over a log for the women in his care and when Irvine's men brought over their trunk, he ensured it was placed within easy reach.

"Courtesy of 'The Hood'" said one of the men as they deposited the trunk and left.

This confused Milady and Edea her lady in waiting. Edea stood and lifted the lid to the trunk and found that although their possessions had been moved they remained all present. Nothing had been taken and Milady's silk dresses could have been easily traded. Edea retuned to Milady and whispered

"Everything is still there Milady! These are very strange outlaws if you ask me!"

Milady did not answer, for she was watching the man they called 'The Hood' and she assumed the other man was "The Archer' walk towards the Sheriff. Despite the distance, the voice of both the Sheriff and the hooded man carried quite clearly.

She heard the man with the hood mention 'defending a lady's honour' she thought instantly

'That is something the Sheriff will never do'. Then she heard him say 'he was a Knight' and she wondered 'did this man fight with him? Did he see him die?' Then she cringed as she heard Sheriff Siefer declare her as 'A prize!' 'I am not a prize! I would sooner end my life than be married to that man!' She had blushed with complete embarrassment, when the subject of her virginity was mentioned. 'I won't let him touch me!…..But can I ask this man' The Hood' for help? A man who is both an outlaw and a Knight. Would he help me? Would he help her father? '

Determined now to ask the questions that had been rolling around in her head.

"Zell ?"

He turned towards her and said, "Yes Milady?"

"Is it true?"

"Is what true Milady?"

"Is it true that the man you call 'The Hood' is a Knight of King Laguna's court?" She asked.

Zell replied

"Yes Milady he is indeed, for I fought alongside him these last three years in the Kings crusade. Yet we return to our homeland and find this chaos. But we are lucky, as many do not have the luxury of returning. The loved ones of the fallen men only have the personal effects returned to them. They have no body to bury, nor a body at a grave to mourn."

This made Milady think back to her loss as she stated

"I myself lost someone I cared for deeply to the crusade. But I was not betrothed to the man and so I received nothing of his," said Milady. As a single tear streamed down her right cheek.

"Oh please Milady do not keep torturing yourself in this way" said Edea, as she passed her a cream coloured silk handkerchief to wipe away her tear.

Zell on seeing Milady's anguish replied

"I am sorry for your loss, but perhaps I can offer some comfort as the effects of any single men were sent to Timber and can be claimed at any time. Too many good men lost their lives and if it was not for my comrade, I too would not have returned. I owe my life to him."

"Thank you for your kind words, for I will bear it in mind the next time I am in Timber and please forgive my emotional outburst," said Milady.

"It is already forgotten," said Zell.

"You are the first men to return from the crusade that we have seen. Does this mean that the King himself will soon return?" Asked Milady.

"The King had certainly completed his crusade when we he gave his bidding for his Knights to return. So I hope that he would soon return and bring this country back to how it used to be," replied Zell.

How she longed for things to return back to normal. To see her father in good health and return to their home in Deling. The thought in her mind now was 'please let it be soon!. She closed her eyes as she pictured her home as it used to be.

Just then a shout came out from the other side of the camp, which made her instantly open her eyes and look in the direction of the man who had shouted. The small trunk had now been opened and inside they had found a small treasure of gold and silver pieces. The men nearest it had been holding up the coins for all to see. It had without a doubt been obtained from the people of Balamb through taxes. But the men were not dividing up the treasure amongst themselves, instead they were stating that this would help to feed and clothe so many of the poor and needy. One thing was certain; it would not be lining the pockets of Prince Norg or the Sheriff.

'Outlaws that give to others? Who ever heard of that ever happening before?' Thought Milady, as she looked at Edea and saw that she too was equally confused.

"I think we are now safer than we have been for some time Milady", said Edea.

"I think the same. Perhaps this is the dawning of a new era", said Milady.

The silence of the moment was broken

"Come and fill your bellies for the food is ready!!" Called the man standing next to the cook pot.

On hearing the cry, the outlaws made their way to the campfire as Irvine walked over to Zell and the two women.

"You must be hungry Milady, won't you please come and join us for you can warm yourselves round the fire?" Asked Irvine.

Milady stood up and replied

"Yes indeed I am…. We will join you….. Thank you."

Squall was sitting in one of the trees near the track. He knew that they had to get rid of the Sheriff and his Captain very soon. It would only be a matter of time before the two soldiers that escaped back to Balamb returned with reinforcements. He would also have to persuade Irvine and his men to leave the wood, for they too would be in great danger. He might have to declare his true identity in order for him to join his quest and free the country of Norg and all his allies. Perhaps a wager with an arrow could be the answer?

When he returned to the camp he was pleasantly surprised that Milady and her lady in waiting were sitting around the campfire enjoying their food with the group of outlaws. He fully expected her to be in the place he had left them and being waited on. This was indeed unusual for she was not like Lady's he had encountered before, thinking that they were better than anyone else. When he reached Irvine he placed a hand on his shoulder and asked

"May I speak with you alone Archer?"

Irvine looked at him and replied

"Yes what's on your mind?"

Irvine stood up and proceeded to walk with 'The Hood' heading away from the earshot of the others. All the eyes around the campfire watched them with interest. However, the outlaws soon lost interest and started singing songs to celebrate their good fortune. Only Zell and Milady kept glancing in their direction.

Squall and Irvine eventually returned to the campfire after an agreement had been made between them. Irvine said to his men

"The Hood and I have made a wager!"

This made the men of the camp all look in his direction.

"We have agreed to an archery competition. If 'The Hood' wins, then I have agreed to his plan and will join him in his quest."

A gasp and calls of 'what quest?' were asked, but Irvine continued

"However, if I win then 'The Hood' has agreed to reveal his true identity and join us."