"Sophie, get back inside!" Brandon shouted.
The little girl pulled an indignant face but obliged. Albie glanced back at Robin Hood before striding back towards the carriage and her sister. Sophie was sat with her arms crossed in the corner, her bottom lip sticking out the way it always did when she was cross.
"You woke me up," she said crossly, "and then Brandon shouted at me."
Albie picked her up with difficulty – the carriage was only so big – and placed her on her lap. Sophie looked slightly confused as Albie hugged her tightly.
"He didn't mean to shout, Sophie," the latter said eventually, "we just bumped into some not nice people and he wanted to make sure you were safe."
"I'm safe, Albie," Sophie assured her, "are you safe?"
Albie smiled at her and nodded.
"Is Brandon safe?" Sophie asked, Albie nodded again.
"And Matthew?"
Albie froze. Matthew, the horseman, was dead. What should she say?
"Matthew went away," Albie said finally, "he was only meant to take us for a little while, he's gone home. Brandon's going to take us the rest of way."
Sophie looked a little crestfallen; she had liked Matthew and his tendency to swear. Soon her sorrow was interrupted by a yawn however. Her eyes closed and she was soon asleep in Albie's arms. Her sister stroked her hair, straining her ears to hear what Brandon was saying to the man, Robin Hood, outside the carriage. She couldn't hear anything so, moments later, she too had fallen asleep.
It was light when Albie awoke. Outside the carriage she could hear people, the hustle and bustle of Nottingham. She sat, Sophie in her arms, waiting in silence until the carriage pulled to a halt. As she shook her sister awake, the door to the carriage was opened. Brandon held it open for her, looking unmistakably exhausted.
"You look tired," Albie said, as she dismounted from the carriage, a dishevelled Sophie trotting after her.
"I have a bone to pick with your godfather," Brandon said darkly.
Albie raised her eyebrows. Turning, she gazed around her. They were in a courtyard that she didn't recognise – despite Brandon's assurances that she had been there before. Half of the courtyard was lit by bright morning sunlight; the other half was shrouded in the shadow of the enormous castle that stood above them. It was all square, grey bricks, none of the spiralled towers Sophie had been so excitedly anticipating. Albie's sister was none the wiser however, as she noted the stables opposite them and ran forward delightedly to pet the horses.
"Sheriff Vaisey," Brandon called out with mock delight, addressing a person to Albie's left.
Albie turned, soothing her skirts, to face a bald man almost half her height, dressed in layers of thick black cloaks. The Sheriff approached them, walking quickly, his hands raised at his sides glittered with multi coloured rings.
"I believe you've been expecting us," Brandon said, when the Sheriff reached them, "this is-"
"Yes, yes," the Sheriff interjected, "my wonderful goddaughters – now where's the money for their keeping? Their brother promised me a substantial amount."
Brandon glanced at Albie who looked appropriately appalled; this was not the warm welcome she was expecting.
"I'll get it right away," Brandon said, and disappeared into the carriage.
Albie stood awkwardly with the Sheriff, waiting for Brandon and the money. The Sheriff observed her with an expression with false delight and true disgust.
"How old are you?" he asked eventually, feeling he must show some interest.
"Seventeen," Albie replied, "and Sophie is six."
"Yes, yes, Sophie," the Sheriff murmured in agreement, "ah!" he added as Brandon reappeared.
He held open the small chest, it contained a small fortune. The Sheriff's eyes lit up. Albie wasn't sure she liked him at all. Once the Sheriff was done lusting over his new wealth, he wrestled the box from Brandon's arms and gestured them inside the castle.
"Come, come," he said pottering away quickly, "the servants will bring your things."
"Sheriff!" Brandon called after him as he strode back into the castle.
Albie grabbed Sophie by the hand as she continued to fawn over the horses, and dragged her after Brandon and the Sheriff. By the time she caught up with them Brandon was in full flow about the men they had encountered that night. The Sheriff's face was dark, very dark.
"Robin Hood…" he muttered furiously.
"No," Albie interrupted quickly, "Robin Hood was the one who saved us."
"No, you are mistaken."
Albie turned to look up at Brandon curiously. What was he talking about? Robin Hood had saved them.
"No I'm not," Albie said, her brow furrowed, "Brandon, what are you talking about?"
"Robin Hood and his men attacked us," Brandon continued, staring meaningfully at the Sheriff, "what do you intend to do about it? Your goddaughter was almost raped – something I don't think her brother would have appreciated."
"No, no," the Sheriff agreed, clutching the money closer to his chest, "I find Robin Hood is a persistent spot that needs to be picked – I'll put my best man on it."
Brandon nodded appreciatively. Albie opened her mouth to speak but he silenced her with a look.
"You! Guard!" the Sheriff cried suddenly, "bring me Gisbourne. I need him. Now."