Chapter Four
Robin sighed as he looked deeply into yet another empty cell. Hours had passed by as every inch of the dudgeons was searched. And still, no sign. "There is no one down here," Robin whispered, as loudly as he dared.
Leon poked his head around a neighboring wall. "No one down their either. "
His tone spoke of deep frustration but also held residue of coldness toward the present company. "Look, I think it's obvious that they aren't down here."
"I won't stop searching!" In the heat of anger, Robin's words had grown a little too loud. Both men froze, not daring to move as they listened. There was continuous silence. It seemed they were safe.
"Do you mind?" Leon muttered, releasing the tight grip on his hilt. "Some of us aren't outlaws and would rather that we weren't caught."
They walked in silence for a time, both deep in thought. "So…" Robin said, attempting to sound normal, "how have you been?"
Leon simply glared, remaining completely silent.
"That good, huh?"
The silence practically burnt his ears and Robin found himself unable to keep his mouth shut.
"Enough of this. Leon, we clearly need a word."
Leon's eyes slitted. "Yes, shall we prioritise that? Because Amelia and Lilly can wait. After all, it is only their lives on the line. But let us go and discuss our feelings."
"You have no idea how sorry I am for everything that happened last year, how it haunts me every day."
"Great, I feel so much better now, shall we go?"
"What do you want me to say? How exactly can I apologise to you?"
Leon shook his head as he walked faster.
"What are you doing in Nottingham anyway?" Robin asked, "thought you hated it here."
"You didn't know? What great outlaws you are. Prince John is making a stop here tomorrow. Which is probably why the execution is set for then. The Sheriff is trying to prove himself. After all, he hasn't caught you lot for a year so he has to report some progress to save face. Anyway, I seek an audience with the Prince."
"Regarding?"
"Regarding something that is none of your concern."
Robin refused to leave it there, looking instead to Leon's hands. "You scratch your hands when you are nervous about something. You've done it since we were young."
"I'm worried about the execution," Leon said, hiding his hands behind his back."
"You have deep scratch marks. This goes back way further than this. I'm your friend, I notice."
"Some friend," Leon huffed. "Obviously not a good enough one."
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"I mean that you took Allen! I always knew that you two were close and that was fine. But why not both of us? Why was only he good enough to join you on your great outlaw quest?"
"It was never about that," Robin assured him. "You had your lands. So many people relied on you. I didn't want you to go through the same decision I went through to leave it all behind."
"And in doing so you doomed me."
Robin looked to him with deep concern. "Tell me what is going on and tell me now."
Leon sighed. "Things are worse than you know. You know of the taxes and how this new inflation is impossible for the poor to maintain. Well you fail to see how it affects the rich too. As you say, so many people rely of me. But with the constant rise of taxes, I am forced to put them through that struggle. I help when I can but now even I am unable to pay my own taxes. The Sheriff has inflicted strict rulings for all those unable to pay. And sadly, my lands fall under his domain. But I cannot carry out these punishments. I go to Nottingham to plead my case before I lose all of lands and estates to the Sheriff."
They continued to walk in silence for a moment, both men unable to think of what to say. "I know that you don't believe me but I really am sorry. I barely prioritised your lands because I thought they would be safe under your rule."
"No Lord has any power," Leon said. "The Sheriff owns us all."
"Don't you see? That is why I left. To stop all of the injustice."
"But at what cost?"
Before Robin could think of a response, Leon quickly cut him off. "And what exactly have you achieved? You have fed a few poor people? Was it worth it, Robert?"
"Robin Hood is an idea, Leon. It has grown and with that, hope. We started with nothing and we have achieved a great deal in a short space of time. It's a shame that you can't see that."
Leon shot out an arm, forcing Robin to halt. "Do you hear that?" he whispered.
Robin listened and there was a definite sound of footsteps. The dudgeon was a labyrinth of corridors. The echoing sound disguised the direction. "We need to split up, you can't be seen with me." Robin hated the words as he spoke them, much preferring to remain with his friend to know that he was safe from danger. But both men knew that they would have a better chance alone. Leon still appearance reluctant as he nodded, looking over his shoulder as he turned down the left corridor. Robin grimaced as he chose the left.
The sound of footsteps continued. On occasion they slowed or quietened. But suddenly they would appear again from another direction. Robin walked as rapidly and silently as he could and he succeeded in reaching the exit unscathed. There was no sign of Leon but he took the silence to mean that all was well.
He was still deep in Nottingham castle, in a stream of corridors but these they were well-lit with a definite rise in atmosphere. But he was still ill at ease.
The sound came again. But in the opposite direction. Robin turned to investigate, which made him blind to the man sneaking up behind him.
In the nick of time, Robin turned and dodged, just avoiding the sword being thrust forward. The surprise of it made him unsteady and he leapt back to avoid the second swipe. As he pulled his sword from his hilt, he recognised the Captain of the Guard. "Symond, I take it," he said, raising his sword in one swift motion.
The man spoke in a deep gravely voice. "I'm honoured. It seems that I need no introduction."
"I wish I could say that I've heard good things."
"Life is short. I see no point in playing by the rules."
Before Robin could respond, Symond lunged forward. Robin parried the blow, returning with a strong strike. Symond matched him in strength and each blow creating a deafening sound.
"So what are you doing down here?" Symond said, over their blows. "Surely you don't think the Sheriff is foolish enough to hide them so easily for you to find? He is serious about this execution."
"Well I hate to ruin his plans," Robin replied, ducking, "but I have no intention of letting that happen."
"It's a shame that we didn't meet a little earlier," Symond said, leaping left to avoid a blow. "I would have happily passed on a message to them for you."
"Where are they?"
"You know full well that I won't tell you. But I will tell you that they are safe, for now. Although, Lilly seemed a bit, well, upset."
Robin put all of his strength into a blow. Symond lost his balance slightly when he blocked it, giving Robin time to step back, raising his sword. "What did you do to her?"
Symond smiled a sick smile. "Exactly what she wanted me to."
Robin's blood ran cold and his fury rose until he could not contain it. Despite his exhaustion, his arm took new speed and power as he lunged forward. "Don't you dare touch them!" Robin yelled, striking with fury.
Symond only chuckled darkly. "Don't worry. The old ugly one holds no interest for me. And there is no sense is sampling the same woman twice."
Robin forced his whole body toward the other, pushing both their blades back. The both fumbled back until Robin shoved him against a wall. Their close proximity made it all too easy for Symond to distract with his blade and use his opposing arm to strike Robin with his fist. The blow dizzied him enough for the other man to strike again. Robin fell back slightly, falling only after Symond raised a knee to his stomach. His sword tumbled away, creating an echoing clang that rung out into cutting silence.
Robin felt the cold metal of a sword, pressing into the side of his neck. A sharp pain was followed by the wet feeling of blood trickling.
"The Sheriff orders were always to bring you to him alive, but as I say, I see no point playing by the rules."
The sudden clanging on the sword returned as Symond dropped his blade. Robin saw the motion just in time as he rolled away and reclaiming his sword.
He froze in the act of his rushed rising as he saw Symond falling forward. He fell face down onto the stone floor, allowing a clear view of the arrow protruding from his back.
Robin peered back toward the darkness of the dudgeons. Finally, he saw a figure behind a pillar. "Leon?" he called.
The clanging sword sound returned what the figure stepped forward.
...
"Allen is missing!"
These words came with a crash of Robert's door. The sudden sound and panic the words ensured caused Robert to stumble out of bed in a flash of startled alarm. He squinted into the candlelight, noting how it just seemed to have surpassed dawn. He squinted, taking a moment to remember where he was. Finally, he recalled how he had travelled with his master and friend, Lord Allen to Nottingham. Lord Steffon himself had just charged into Robert's quarters, frantic with worry. He paced about, hand clenched in sandy hair.
Robert stood as calmly as he could, desperately awaiting an explanation. Steffon turned. "He wasn't in his room and I thought… I just… He must have run away."
Robert sagged with relief, a smile cracking through his features. "Ever the bold and courageous," he said with a smirk.
Evidently he had forgotten his place. Steffon looked up in surprise, obviously not finding the scenario the least bit amusing. "I can see that you are far from understanding the direness of the situation. We are guests here in Nottingham. The Sheriff is doing us a great honor by considering my household for a marriage alliance with his ward. My position is at constant peril. If I want to remain in power, certain sacrifices must be made. Allen knew this! And yet he still runs."
Robert looked to the ground, not wishing to upset his master again. "If I may, Milord," he said, daring to raise his gaze slightly, "It would seem that Allen is extremely hesitant to meet this girl. And you love your son. Surely you would put his needs before this mad power scheme."
Steffon surprised him by sinking slowly onto Robert's bed. Robert stood with uncertainty. He had known this man almost his whole life but never had he seen such a state of informality. In fact, this was the first time they had been alone together. Steffon rubbed at his face, taking deep breaths. "Of course I want him to be happy," he said quietly. "And if the marriage is truly against what he wants, we could work something out. But as I told him, this is nothing more than a meeting. It need not evolve into anything. But the Sheriff will consider this to be a personal insult. He will see Allen's disappearance as us turning up our noses at his kind hospitality. He will- He might-" His voice trailed away with worry.
"He won't do anything," Robert said with certainty. "I know Allen. Let me go look for him."
The Lord just nodded as words evaded him. He left quickly, allowing Robert to dress quickly in his simple servants garb. He spoke with such confidence, but knew deep within that he had not the foggiest idea of where to even begin. Allen may have been his best friend, but this was an entirely new area. Neither of them had ever been to Nottingham before. The difference was that, while Robert was excited at the change of scenery, Allen had fretted the entire way. Robert wanted to kick himself for not thinking upon the idea that such fretting would have turned into action. He had never considered that Allen would run. For, as Lord Steffon had said, it was a simple meeting. Robert could not fathom why his friend was so nervous about everything. Allen had entered his second-and-twentieth year, an age his Father had apparently deemed the appropriate marriageable age. Robert himself was only twenty and had never considered himself drastically more mature than his friend until they had ridden together late during the night before to reach the town of his possible future bride.
He sighed as once more, he reflected how this was to be his lot in life. Deep down, he knew that he had little right to complain. He had once lived on the streets. The harsh reality then was death. Now his biggest problem was boredom and he still thought to complain. But he had been so close. Both he and Allen had been undergoing training to become squires. From there, Robert hoped to become a knight. It was the life he had dreamed desperately of. He worked his hardest in every one of Wilfred's lessons. He had even found a way to win over a young Leon, who had initially been a little brat. The three young boys had struck up an odd friendship.
It had all ended when Allen's brother died. Allen was now the sole heir to the lands of Barnsdale. And the deal had always relied on Allen. Lord Steffon sponsored both boys with the needed funding. Allen had not been skilled enough for Wilfred to select until the deal had been sweetened. As soon as Wilfred saw a young Robert handle a blade, even that of a toy, he knew that Robert was to be his protégé. All that was missing was the funds. And Lord Steffon had been all too happy to provide these, provided that his younger son was also taken care of.
But fate had a different way of life in mind. Allen was set to inherit everything. And Lord Steffon, despite being a kind man, would not fund a young orphan boy's training. Wilfred was re-assigned and Robert found himself as little more than a household servant. But at least he still had his friends. Allen had begged his Father to find Robert a position in their house and Leon found ways of visit Barnsdale when he could.
And that was how they grew. From young boys playing with wooden swords into men.
Robert was not sure of the exact moment in which he knew that he hated his life. But eventually he thought upon it every day. The same repeated trivial schedule was his own personal form of hell. He tried everything to find joy. Professionally, he soared. Thanks to his previous training, he quickly outranked guards more than twice his age at the tender age of fifteen. He managed to spend countless hours with two of the greatest friends a man could ask for. He even found a sweetheart. Johanna was a kitchen maid in the Barnsdale household that had been attempting to turn Robin's head years before he finally took notice.
Drawing his thoughts back to the task at hand, Robert eyed the outdoor grounds through the small window. Even from his high vantage point, he could see the crisp-looking white scattering of frost that lined the grounds and saw that his breath came out in a faint white cloud. He quick clasped his cloak before heading to the door. It had been a gift from Allen and was one of the only fine items that Robert owned. As soon as it was clasped around his neck, Robert began to feel warmth. The dark green folds billowed out as he hurried down the corridor, beginning his search. His walk was short-lived. The corridors seemed to stretch on, all looking the same. To find one man seemed impossible. And the sun was slowly rising higher in the sky. Knowing that time was proving short-lived, he pressed on.
He racked his brains, thinking of any possible route his friend would take. His concentration proved to be stronger than he expected as he barely noticed the youth kneeling on the floor, scrubbing away with a bucket and brush. It took immense skill to dodge the obstacles as Robert quickly leapt to the side. The boy flinched away, holding up his brush as protection. "Sorry Milord," he murmured, head bowed low.
"I am no Lord," Robert said, with what he hoped was a reassuring smile. "And I'm the one who should be sorry." The lad did seem to relax a little after that.
Upon closer inspection, Robert saw that the boy was older than he had previously thought. He must have been around fourteen years of age. He was small and worryingly thin. But he still greeted Robert with a warm smile that lit up his freckled face. "I figured that," he said sheepishly. "No Lord would ever apologise to the likes of me."
Robert smiled, knowing that his words were true. Then he looked to the lad and his work. The floor practically sparkled, meaning he must have been there for a decent amount of time. And Robert was still walking along the one corridor that led away from the visitor's wing. "What is your name?"
"Benny."
"Well, Benny. You haven't by chance seen a man walk down this way have you? Tall. Light hair. Extremely nervous."
Benny's eyes darted away a little too quickly. It was obvious that he knew something.
Robert knelt down and looked him in the eye. "It's alright. You can tell me."
Benny looked unsure. "He seemed like he was in trouble. Asked me to show him a way out. And when someone is in trouble, you help them."
"Very wise words. But I can assure you, he will only be in trouble if I don't find him."
Benny nodded slowly but still said nothing. Instead he swung one of his legs around, nudging at a small space in the wall. What had appeared to be nothing more than a stone wall, swung away slightly, showing a space just large enough to crawl through. Benny was practically glowing with pride. "Want to know your way around this castle? I'm your man."
After thanking his quickly, Robert was crawling through the small passage. It was longer than he expected and damper. He was beginning to regret wearing the cloak. But finally, his head struck something. Pushing hard, he found it was a large plank of wood, hidden behind a large clump of tall grass. Freeing himself, he noted the genius of Benny before making sure he hid the plank exactly how he imagined it would have been left. Little did he know, Benny would prove to be even more useful in the future.
Looking around, he found he was outside. The fresh new sunlight was beaming down upon him, despite how it created little warmth. He figured that he was toward the back of the estate, for he was surrounded by trees and flower bushes, no doubt the large garden bragged about by the Sheriff. A large stone wall fenced him in, assuring him that Allen could not have gone far. The grounds stretched on and once again he was at a loss.
The sound of an arrow being released filled the air. Robert peered around, ready to defend himself but there was no one in sight. He listened keenly, hearing the sound again. It was a safe distance away. But, having no other leads, he decided to follow the sound, hoping that this mysterious someone could help him toward Allen.
He came across a long practice field. Archways lined the sides but otherwise it was completely out in the open. Robert remained hidden behind one of the arches to see what he faced.
It was there that he saw her. The most beautiful woman he had ever seen. She was dressed plainly enough but she still seemed ethereal. Her long golden hair cascaded down her back, gleaming in the early morning sun. She slowly raised her bow, pale blue eyes narrowing, staring at the target at the end of the field. After a pause, she let the arrow free. It flew strongly, although Robert could tell that it would fly a little too far to the left. Sure enough, he saw it land stray of her target. She grimaced slightly, raising another arrow.
Robert took a small step forward. His foot crunch slightly on the leafy terrain and she turned instantly, pointing the arrow toward him instead.
He held up his hands, showing his good faith. "Sorry! I had no wish to startle you."
He thought his tone to be rather friendly. But the arrow remained. "What do you want?"
"Nothing at all. I was just passing by." Neither moved. Eventually, he added. "You know, you issue is with your posture."
"Excuse me?"
"Your posture. Your arrow will never fly straight until you square your feet and hips."
"I don't need anyone's help," she said, rudely. "Especially not the likes of you."
"Just try it. I dare you."
Robert could tell that she, like him, was not one to turn down a challenge. She followed his direction, still glaring. She let her arrow go quickly, not aiming as much as should ought to. Robert could tell that she expected it to fail. The arrow landed firmly on the outskirts of the bullseye.
If looks could kill, her gaze would have crippled him. "It was a lucky shot."
He snorted. "Sure."
She left the bow leant against a pillar. "Who are you anyway? Why don't I know you?" She stood before him once more, arms folded defensively.
"Robert. I'm with the Barnsdale party."
She laughed at that. "Well I wouldn't get too comfortable then if I were you. I've seen this happen countless times. My Lady does not take well to suitors. Do you know how many Lords parade through here, trying to win my mistress?"
"I'm guessing a fair few?"
"And you know what they all have in common? They all leave empty handed."
"Great! Because I can assure you that my Master has even less interest in your Mistress."
She was visibly surprised. But before she had time to answer, the sound of a bell rang out, intended to inform servants to report to their duties. Robert realised how much time he had wasted. "I should go," he said quickly.
Luckily, she seemed just as rushed. "I should go too."
"Great," he said, running off. Turning back he called, "Wait! What is your name?"
She hesitated. "Amelia."
For the first time since their meeting, she smiled at him. And for a moment, Robert forgot entirely about why he had to leave. He simply watched her, unable to look away.
She too, remained a little longer than she should have. But eventually turned and ran off.
Robert waited until he could no longer see her.
He quickly raced to continue his search but had a horrible feeling that it things were about to get a lot worse.
Marian paused as she ran off, feeling the same way.
