Chapter 4.
Sorry for the delay in posting, this chapter fought me every step of the way. I'll do my best to post more regular updates from now on.
~o~
They walked all day stopping only briefly for a lunch of cold meat, boiled eggs and apples. They had to keep moving. No doubt the Sheriff would be anxious to recover his birthday presents and in that mission would leave no stone unturned.
The weather was with them, although it was now late October there was still some heat in that sun. A welcome breeze blew at random intervals through the forest keeping them cool as they walked.
Usually such a trip was a pleasant diversion breaking the monotony of life in Sherwood but the outlaws were quiet as they walked along, each keeping to their own thoughts.
Marion eventually broke the silence.
"We'll most probably meet up with Conner at Newick." She told Robin.
"Really," he smiled. "Is that not wishful thinking?"
Marion frowned at his mocking tone.
"Oh why can't he just meet us up in a nearby village like everyone else," she growled. "All this cloak and dagger lark is a nonsense."
Robin grinned "He's a wanted man. He's trying not to get caught."
"We're all wanted. But we don't expect people to go scampering half way across the country to meet us."
"Perhaps you'd like to ride in the wagon with the merchandise." Robin asked.
"Kind of you, but no. I'd much prefer to moan in your ear about it the whole way there." Marion told him with a gracious smile.
Robin had to laugh. Marion was a welcome relief to the tension he had been feeling and he threw an arm around her shoulder.
Robin was not oblivious to the atmosphere among the men. At first he thought it would resolve itself but as time went on he could see that it was creating divides.
Will was one of the biggest personalities within the group, as Marion rightly said he would not welcome someone intruding into his personal business but Robin felt he must act now. Scarlett's depression was beginning to have an adverse effect on his work. What Will really needed was time away from the forest. Since Anna died he had been trudging through every day with little enthusiasm. A break would help him gain a little perspective. But Robin knew if he suggested such a thing Will would take it that their new leader was trying to get shut of him. Robin knew he would have to tread carefully.
~o~
Nasir calmly put a hand up urging them all to stop. They all froze where they stood. They listened in complete silence their eyes darting about trying to see into the darkest parts of the forest. There was barely enough time to react. The band of cut throats scrambled through the trees emitting a savage howl as they went. Much froze like a rabbit at the sound. John took hold and pushed him towards a tree.
"Climb up, use your sling." He roared over the noise.
Much looked up at him and tried to speak.
"Go on," John practically threw him in that direction.
On shaky limbs Much climbed quickly and sitting himself carefully on a high branch he took out his sling.
The other outlaws did not move. They weren't about to abandon a wagon full of jewels and trinkets. To do so would be detrimental to any future projects. You could not show weakness of any kind or other outlaws would have you. They stood their ground, weapons at the ready. There was no point in asking Marion to run for the trees, she would not. As they approached Robin took Albion from its scabbard and put her firmly behind him.
As the cut throats approached the outlaws launched into a fierce and bloody attack. They fought like animals, they had to. To lose this treasure could be the difference between life and death to many villagers. Will was by far the most fierce. He fought them back with everything he had and with little regard for his own safety. Robin gave him a sideways glance. That was the chance his opponent needed. The young thug got Robin in the eye with his baton. Robin's head began to swim and he shielded his face for just a moment. The thug saw his advantage and followed up with one blow after the other. Robin went down.
The others tried to get to him but they were still fighting back their own opponents. Will battered them back with a savagery none of the other outlaws had seen before. Marion crouched by Robin and tried to staunch the blood running down his face pressing her hand firmly to the wound.
Much tried to get down from his tree to help but John yelled up that he was to stay where he was.
The cut throat band could fight no more. They took off leaving the bodies of their dead comrades scattered in the dirt. Tuck immediately went to Robin.
"Whats the story," John asked as he struggled to get to him too.
"He's out cold. I won't know if there is a serious head injury until he wakes up."
John hissed air between his teeth. "That's a nasty gash."
"Aye it'll need stitches."
Nasir checked the bodies for signs of life and collected together their weapons. Much got down from the tree and fetched a skin from the side of the wagon to collect some water. When he returned he was relieved to see Robin sitting up.
Robin set his jaw and tried to make no sound as Tuck began to stitch the gash over his eye.
"He's turning pale Tuck, Robin do you need him to stop?" Marion asked.
"No," Robin told her. He tried to focus his mind and gritted his teeth as Tuck pierced his skin with the bone needle once again.
Much stood looking at the blood dried into Robin's cheek.
"Is that water for me?" Tuck asked him in a gentle voice.
Much immediately handed over the skin.
"There's still time, I'll go after them." Will suddenly yelled out.
John rounded on him.
"You will not, there's been enough violence. We'll get Robin to the nearest village and take a room for the night."
"They hit us, we hit em back only harder," Will snapped.
John lost his temper.
"What's wrong with you, do you want to die? Is that it Will."
"You don't know what you're saying."
"Don't I... I saw how you fought them Will. You didn't care if you never came out of that scrap."
"No stop it John." Much whispered, putting a hand to the big man's arm.
"No, let him talk Much." Tuck nodded to the boy.
"Will, you can't go on like this, you'll boil over. Talk to us."
"Talk?...and tell you what John. Tell you I wanted to die, is that what you want to hear. Then yeah I wanted to die, I wanted to die so badly I could taste it. So now you know."
Will was yelling now. He took a ragged breath and looked up into the face of his dearest friend.
"I wanted to die." he said again in a feint whisper.
John moved forward. He put a hand to his friends shoulder. Will turned his face from the others and began to sob quietly.
"We'll be back," John told the rest as he led Will into the forest.
"That will do him good now." Tuck nodded as he began to clean up Robin's face.
"I should go and help John," Robin went to get up but Tuck kept him in place with a gentle hand to his shoulder.
"You stay where you are or you'll have me to deal with."
"Best do what he says Robin," Marion smiled. "It doesn't do to get the wrong side of Tuck."
"You tell him little flower."
Much stood watching the two men as they walked off into the forest together. His dark eyes wore a haunted expression as he considered the weight of Will's words.
Tucks voice dragged him from his thoughts.
"Don't just stand there Much, we need more water," Tuck held up the skin for the boy to take.
~o~
Will and John came back an hour later. Will looked as though a great weight had been lifted from his shoulders. Himself and John had a good talk about everything. They even managed to bring down a deer for Tuck to cook up. The outlaws stayed in the forest that evening. They each took a turn to watch while the others slept. Much took his turn just before dawn. Once the others began to rise Much took his staff and his pack of meager possessions and headed off into the forest alone.