Part 7
Robin and the gang distributed the wealth they had gleaned from travellers seeking a shortcut through the forest to the people of Locksley who were in dire need of the funds, thanks to Guy's new legislations. The expressions on the faces of the people were full of gratitude.
Megan one of the more outspoken villagers said. "Thank you Robin but I fear he will not give up. It is not us he wants to hurt, not really it is you."
"Get word to me as soon as he imposes more taxes or threatens to cut out your tongues or your hands. Anything you understand me? This must come to a head soon; it can not go on this way. He will not win. I will not let him win."
Megan smiled thanking him again, convinced that the matter would not be resolved without bloodshed perhaps even death.
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"I want to village of Knighton quarantined," the Sheriff said to one of his many guards.
The guard looked less than happy at the prospect of leading such a lockdown of the place. "Yes sir."
"No one is to leave or enter," Gisborne added.
"No Sir Guy."
"We can not afford to let the flux spread, for it to come here would be disastrous," Guy added.
"I will see to it," the guard replied as he bowed and left the two men alone.
"How are your taxes coming along?"
"They paid," Gisborne replied, unimpressed.
"That is good no?" asked the Sheriff.
"Why is it good?"
"It means Gisborne that Locksley knows about it and has given them the means to pay for the taxes, now you have to think of something even more extreme to lure him out from the cover of the trees."
"But what? I do not want to cut out the villagers tongues, we tried that once already."
"I agree another means of torture might be appropriate."
"Like?"
"As I said before I can only bystand on this. This Gisborne is your little project. He will kill me, I do not wish to die, I have higher office to attain in my lifetime," Gisborne grunted an unintelligible reply which Vasey ignored before adding. "Whatever you do Gisborne do not drag it out too long."
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Ten days later despite the heavy guarded estate Tuck managed to slip into the forest and secure a note at the drop off point for Robin Hood.
"Anything in there?" asked Alan as Will groped his hand around in the hollow tree trunk.
"Here," he said pulling out some paper. "Let's take it to Robin."
They found Robin some distance away with Much and Little John arguing about something trivial and passed him the note he read it, his expression grave and said.
"I need to get to Knighton as close as I can, see if I can see Tuck in person."
"Master, is that wise?" asked Much, hoping he would not ask him to join him on the trip.
"John, will you come with me?"
Little John nodded, the gang parted ways, John and Robin to Knighton and Will, Alan and Much to the camp.
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The small wiry man reached his destination; he had the benefit of some learning and could read but not write more than to sign his name, which was all he had need for. York was a bustling place, he had been given directions and knew he would find and be able to stalk Eleanor Godwin without too much trouble at all.