Thanks for your replies; it is meant to be late August beginning of September kind of time.

Part 12

The gang looked from the recess of the trees at the city of Nottingham, the traffic in and out seemed fairly active and Robin nodded at Will and Alan who silently slipped from their hiding place to attempt entry via the main gate. He then nodded at Marian and Much who followed shortly after. When it was apparent that they all were safely within the city wall the rest of the gang with Robin followed, all meeting behind the Trip to Jerusalem.

"Right," said Robin to Much and Marian, glancing at the others to give a sign if guards were approaching. "This is the plan."

"What if we can not get in?" asked Much after Robin had explained.

"Of course we will," Marian told him. "It is getting her out which will be the most difficult."

"And most likely part of the plan to fail, after all," added Robin. "She has to agree to leave."

"If she doesn't?" asked Much.

"Then we will have to think of something else."

"Or someone else," out in Alan.

"I do not want someone else. I want Eve," Much insisted.

"Shush!" implored Robin. "Do you want the whole of Nottingham to hear?"

"All clear," said Will.

"Go!" said Robin, pushing them both forward, "We will meet you by the east gate," and with a final squeeze of Marian's hand they were gone.

Much and Marian gained entry through a kitchen entrance, knocking out a servant as they went and weaving their way through the corridors. Marian pulled Much into a dark recess when she heard footsteps approach, the figure of a guard walked right past them, not seeing what was right in front of his eyes.

"That was close," Much said, letting out his breath and struggling to breathe normally again.

"Too close," Marian replied, feeling slightly nauseous, perhaps from the thrill of the mission, or the fear. "We ought to part here."

"Here? Now?"

"Yes. I will go right you left."

With a backward glance in Marian's direction Much did as he was bid, the corridors were dark. With each step his heart hammered in his chest, especially when he rounded a corner and found something he wasn't expecting.

Marian continued on her way, she felt hot with anticipation or hoped that was the cause. Her mind kept reminding her she had gone to Knighton the previous day where disease was still present and Tuck had been caring for the sick woman. Thinking that made her feel worse and she swallowed hard willing for her stomach to settle and her mind to stay focused on what she was supposed to be doing.

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Guy walked purposefully into the Sheriff's quarters and said. "You wanted to see me?"

Vasey glanced up and replied. "You look better than you did a few days ago. A new plan to catch Hood yet?"

"No. Have you?"

"I have not thought of him lately," he answered, changing the subject with. "The quarterly tax money which I collected…"

"I think you will find that I collected it with my men," Gisborne replied.

"Details, details," Vasey said brushing off Guy's remark.

"Where is the money then? I have not seen it, nor given any men orders to guard it."

"It is sitting in the corridor between the kitchens and the cellar."

"Is that wise?"

"In unmarked bags. I want you to organise some men to take it to the strong hold and then organise its transportation."

Gisborne looked at him unimpressed with the task. "What about Robin Hood?"

"What about him? Do you see him here right now? Because if you don't I suggest you get on with other things. I have no doubt in my mind that he could be watching us, even now," the Sheriff said, adding the last bit ruefully. As Guy turned to leave he added. "Tell me Gisborne, what happen to that little man you sent to York?"

"I have not heard from him. I want him to follow the woman, see what he can find."

"She seemed innocent enough when we encountered her."

"You, are not against her? Are not going to tell me she is a leper too? That perhaps Robin's gang did not tie her up?"

"Ah but they are your thoughts and perhaps she was not innocent victim she was seen to be, but she is in York and I do not very much care."

"If I can find something anything, then instead of getting to Robin through Marian I can rile him through her," he confessed.

"I thought as much," Vasey said, appearing uninterested as he could muster, but secretly wishing something could come out of this project to route out information on Eleanor Godwin, cousin of Robin Hood.

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Much having filled his pockets with the coins that had spilled out made a split decision and changed his priorities opting to go in search of Robin instead of Eve and leaving Marian in the castle alone.