Robin stuck his tongue out of the corner of his mouth as he worked, lines creasing on his forehead as he concentrated on opening the lock using a nail they'd found. It was chunky and awkward but working. Jay sighed impatiently, "Can't you go any faster?"
"No," Robin replied bluntly, suddenly there was a clunk as the heavy lock broke, "Whey, done it."
"Good," Jay walked forward and pulled the lid up. They both peered at the dim insides of the chest. There were bags of silver piled in the bottom and Jay grinned. Robin grabbed some and then paused.
"How are we gonna get all these bags out with just the two of us?"
"Er…" Jay pondered for a moment then said, "We could find the others, but that's easier said than done, or we could try tying some bags to our belts and carrying the rest." Robin agreed because they had no alternatives. Quickly they set about attaching as many sacks as possible to themselves.
"Hmm, this is a bit awkward but what are you doing in my bedroom?" the Sheriff sneered at the cornered outlaws. He was holding a sharp knife blade to Djaq's throat as he spoke. Allan and Will floundered; they didn't know how to get out of the situation.
"Let us go Sheriff, we have other men in the castle that could take you out at any moment," Allan bluffed.
"Oh really, I suspected as much but just had to check. Guards search the rest of the castle for more of this filth," the Sheriff smirked evilly. Will groaned inwardly, Allan and his big mouth. Allan realised his mistake too late.
"So I'll ask you my first question again. What are you doing in my bedroom?"
"What does it look like?" Will said quietly, "Taking money that belongs to villagers and not to you."
"Sorry didn't quite catch that. What did you say?" The Sheriff mimed cupping a hand to his ear, mocking them.
"I said," Will repeated loudly, "We are taking the money." With that and a hardly visible hand signal to Djaq and Allan saying go, the three outlaws moved in a flash. Djaq elbowed the Sheriff in the stomach and punched him in the jaw before escaping from his grip. Will and Allan skidded past him as he doubled over in pain taking out the two guards he had foolishly left for protection on their way.
"Well I guess your big mouth did help us Allan. The rest of the guards are nowhere to be seen," Will looked around.
"Yes but what about the others they could be in trouble," Djaq reminded them.
"Good point, we'd better find them and help…" A yell interrupted them and two laughing figures stumbled round the corner.
"Did…did you see his face?"
"Yes," Robin laughed harder, tears streaming down his face, "It was so funny."
"It's not surprising though, considering we are pretty laden," Jay giggled gesturing to the sacks of silver tied to them, "And you punched him in the face."
"Well he was in the way," Robin shrugged.
"Yeah but you didn't have to knock him down the stairs did you?" Jay scolded.
"Suppose not," Robin smiled sheepishly, "But he wasn't any worse for wear and it took out the other five on the way down." The other outlaws stared and then Will coughed loudly to get their attention.
"And I suppose we have you to thank for the army of guards ambushing us do we?" Robin turned on them so quickly that they knew he had seen them as soon as they entered the corridor.
"Er…um…it was Allan," Will and Djaq pointed at Allan immediately.
"Oh thanks," Allan retorted.
"Well then thanks Allan that was so fun!" Jay grinned and threw her skinny arms round his neck in a big hug.
"So where are Much and John…and Sam?" Robin asked.
"Er…haven't a clue," Allan shrugged, "Probably ended up in the privy or something."
"Well we better find them," Robin said, "And watch out for any ambushes. Allan."
Much finally managed to rein his jaw in and took a big gulp.
"Ok, we were," Much didn't see the point in lying, "Looking for treasure."
"Oh, why didn't you say so?" The girl smiled and walked towards a chest, "D….the Sheriff keeps most of his stuff in here. I wouldn't be surprised if you found the King's jewels in here." The outlaws were taken aback. They hadn't expected the girl to help them.
"Hmm, where's that key?" the girl found a small silver key under a tapestry and fitted it in the lock. The chest opened. "Take a look at that!"
John, Much and Sam gawped at the contents. There were coins, goblets, jewellery, ornaments, crowns and all sorts of other trinkets. It was a treasure trove.
"So you gonna take it?" the girl asked, "I would advise you to use this bag and just tip the whole lot in- easier to carry." The outlaws turned to stare at her and her blunt instructions. Quickly John darted forward and took the bag the girl held out. He then started piling in the treasure. Much still stared at the girl.
"What are you doing here?" he questioned.
"Um…" the girl seemed to consider her options, "I'm a prisoner."
"Prisoner?" Much said, surprised, "But why aren't you in the dungeons?"
"No time for that now." The girl halted him, "Will you take me with you so I can escape?" Much didn't know what to say but he couldn't leave a damsel in distress.
"Right," he nodded as John closed the lid of the box, "Come on then." The girl grinned, pleased they'd accepted her.
"I'm Cass by the way," Cass informed them heading out of the door.
"I…er…are you going to put some…clothes on?" Sam stuttered, flushing scarlet at the sight of Cass' body.
"Oh I forgot that," Cass genuinely seemed surprised as she hurried back into the room. She pulled on some baggy trousers and a grubby tunic that were in a drawer, "Ok, let's go!"
Ooh who's Cass? And why is she imprisoned in a tower?