Chapter 3: One step closer/ Two steps behind
-- The Laurent Estate--
Michelle hated the Monsieur and Madame Girard and Monsieur Moreau right now. He knew they were good people. He knew they were trusted friends of Lady Stone. But to come unannounced in the middle of the night demanding to wake his young maitresse in such a harried state is unacceptable.
The Lady Stone had just returned home late that afternoon. Michelle had not seen her but a man from the vineyards delivered a small barrel of wine saying that they wanted to make sure she had her favorite drink when she dines that night. He could only assume that she was checking on the people like she always did when she returned from whatever it was in the court or business that pulled her away. He quickly ordered a warm bath and food to be readied for her. In an instant, the three servants in the house started moving. It was an easy request to make. They were her servants but she treated them as friends unlike the other nobles in the land. They had scarcely finished when they saw her leading Chestnut to the stables to tend to her. Michelle had followed Joseph to the stable overhearing a conversation he was far too used to-- someone had offered to do her a service and she was insisting that the person should rest and that she likes doing the job herself. He had entered just in time to see Joseph stealing the brush from her hands insisting that he be left to tend to her horse. Michelle took one look at her confirming that he had made the correct decision to prepare things beforehand. The dark circles under her eyes, her pale complexion and slower pace of speech betrayed whatever smile she gave them. She needed to rest desperately but would hardly admit it. Michelle had taken it as his job to force her to rest.
So when Messieurs Raoul and Remy together with Madame Camile knocked incessantly at the door and barged in when he opened it, he was quick to block their way by the stairs. He gave the younger people a stern look. "Mademoiselle needs her rest." He said bluntly.
"Michelle, this is an emergency." Remy answered in the same tone. "Let us pass or wake her yourself." He ordered.
Michelle frowned visibly annoyed with the tone he had used on him. "Monsieur Moreau , there is always an emergency." He replied unapologetically. "What kind of emergency requires a young lady to go off with her friends in the middle of the night that cannot wait until morning? Dressed like executioners no less." He motioned to their all black clothing. He turned his head to face Raoul. "And you Monsieur Girard. You have been her friend the longest. Can not you find a way to let her live her life like a normal eighteen year old girl rather than create this disturbance?" He reprimanded the lord of the neighboring estate.
Raoul gave the servant a small sad smile. "I am sorry, Michelle, but I can not dictate what she decides to do with her life. Besides my friend, this is not the time for this discussion. This really is an emergency." Michelle watched the man take a deep breath. His eyes widened realizing what the man was about to do. "Evangeline!" He shouted at the top of his lungs. "Evangeline, wake up or so God help me I will drink all your wine in your store and steal Chestnut! Do you hear me? I said, all your wine and Chestnut. " He continued yelling.
"Raoul, that is crude." Camille remarked as her hands left her ears.
There was a sound of the door closing shut from the second floor followed by footsteps. Raoul shrugged lightheartedly. "Ah. But you see. It works." He faced the dumbfounded Michelle. "Apologies, Michelle." He said again.
Evangeline rushed down the stairs barefooted while tying her forest green robe. She examined the four people at the foot of the stairs with equal confusion. "What is going on?" She asked with a small silver pin on her lips as she tried to pull her hair back to a loose bun. She saw her servant's arms raised blocking the width of the stairs. "Are you terrorizing Michelle? At this hour? Really. It is better to do that while he is cooking." She giggled giving the man a small pat on the shoulder telling him to relax.
"We have a problem." A tall man with long wavy dark brown hair stepped forward. He retied his own hair behind him. "I just rode from the North going to Poitou to see the Queen about information when I saw a band of mercenaries marching this way through the West passage. A hundred men or so. I heard them mention Laurent Estate and Girard Place. My land is in between the two, I will be undoubtedly affected. I beat my horse dead riding back here. We are marked, my dear. And it does not matter right now who has ordered it only that they have." Remy saw the girl's amusement disappear within a second and started playing with the cross pendant of her necklace. He reached out for her hand gripping on the banister in anger. "Eva, if they cross the passage, all three of our estates will be caught one after the other with no way to defend it. If we go now, we may be able to stop them if they have not crossed the arch." His determined brown eyes met hers.
Evangeline nodded quickly facing her servant letting the pendant go. "I need a favor." She bit her lower lip undecided whether she should give the order. She sighed before she continued. "When we leave, wake the people. Bring them inside the manor quickly and quietly. It should look like their houses are still occupied. Post every man that can wield the bow on the windows. Then..." She took a deep breath. "At the furthest range the arrows can carry, line the ground with pitch and then hay. When they come, try to get as many as you can. Then, fire onto the pitch. It'll create much smoke and the mercenaries would not be able to pass the fire. That is the time you lead an escape. Do you understand?" She quickly intimated her plan.
Michelle shook his head in disbelief. "My Lady, surely..." He trailed on unable to continue revealing his thoughts.
"Pray that it will not come to that. But if they come, that means we have failed and I will be damned if you do not prepare." Michelle nodded finally understanding her concern. She gave the old man a peck on the cheek. "Thank you Michelle. Go. Get everything ready. I'm going to change." She left the old man stunned as she disappeared to the second floor. The servant bowed respectively to the absent girl before bowing to her friends. He silently took his leave. She appeared again in less than a minute, this time dressed in all black just like her friends.
Camille watched her friend with concern while the girl beside her adjusted the latches that bound her daggers to her arms. "It sounds like you have been thinking about that for a long time." She commented.
"It is impossible not to think about it after they took Cornwall." Evangeline answered softly rolling down her sleeves. She looked to her friends with a grimly but broke into a smile when she saw Raoul's cheeky demeanor. "I'm guessing you have a plan Raoul." She inquired.
"You do know that we cannot leave a soul alive that can report back to whoever paid them." Remy pointed out crossing his arms against his chest.
Raoul pretended to be insulted as he moved towards the door. "Of course, Remy. What kind of genius do you take me for?" He turned and started walking backwards. "Much like your plan Eva, mine too, requires pitch. A lot of pitch. Then it is simple divide and conquer." He threw her a cheeky grin before turning to walk normally.
"But I hate simple divide and conquer." Evangeline objected while running to the stables for her horse.
--
--Outlaw's camp--
"I have something for you." Djaq sat down besides Will handing him a small object with a large smile on her face.
"Really, love?" Will thumbed the small vial with his eyes filled with wonder.
"Yes, it's a mixture of waxes that acts much like resin. Tell me if you like it and I think I can make more." Djaq ruffled Will's hair fondly before she walked towards the camp's kitchen to chop vegetables she had bought from the market or collected in the forest before Much could decide what to do with them for dinner. Hopefully, it wouldn't be squirrel stew now that they had some vegetables on the menu. In fact, she was quite hoping for a good salad.
Will raised his head giving her a grateful smile. "I'm sure this would come in handy. Thank you, love." He beamed happily returning his attention back to the vial trying to decide what he would use it for first.
Robin hated Will and Djaq right now. He knew they couldn't help it and he loved them both like siblings. But watching them makes the ache in his heart grow knowing he had what they have once. Their presence together reminds him of a life he always dreamed of having with Marian in his home in Locksley. They single handedly made him think of his old dreams that he would never be able to bring to reality because she is gone. Marian has gone ahead to the Maker. And although he has accepted this as fact, it does nothing to ease his longing for her. "Nya!" He let out a small sound just as he bowed his head shaking it slightly in a mix of annoyance and amused embarrassment in overhearing the conversation that had just passed. A bowl of berries suddenly appeared before him. He followed the hand that was holding the bowl to its standing owner.
"I feel embarrassed for them. But what can we do?" Much shrugged with a slight air of contempt. "They love each other. They are together. There is freedom in these woods. They can express whatever they want to express. It is their right, their prerogative and we--" Much tilted his head to one side. "We cannot do anything to stop it. We just have to accept that this is the way its going to be between the both of them and move on." He finished taking a berry from the bowl.
Robin took the bowl from Much amused at his small soft speech. "I see you heard them too." He so keenly observed.
"We all heard." Little John scoffed sitting on the log beside him reaching for the fruit Robin offered.
"Not being funny," Allan piped in on Robin's other side while tying a feather on an arrow, "I'm happy for them and all, but can't they do that away from camp? Or maybe a little softer." He suggested holding up the arrow for inspection.
"So saccharine it can kill me." Robin heard a voice add from behind. He turned immediately to see Carter leaning on a tree. Robin took a look at each man and started laughing. Apparently the others were sharing his very thoughts about the English- Saracen couple. He was suddenly wondering if this is what they thought when Marian was briefly living in the forest with them. He certainly hoped not but didn't dare ask.
Much huffed looking at nothing of particular interest at the horizon. "I don't see why you're so amused seeing as you were the one who reacted first." He pointed out to the gang's leader.
"Yes, because it's making me miss Marian even more." Robin cried carefully making sure the couple in discussion would not hear them. "I don't see why you're so glum about it. The love of your life isn't with God yet." He argued shifting slightly so he could see them all.
"Mine very well could be and I would literally be the last one to know. I wouldn't even be able to give her any sort of relief by being at her side." Carter replied without much humour alluding to Evangeline. He sighed. "I'm going back to the Trip. Remember Robin, we're doing information tomorrow." He reminded before disappearing into the forest.
Allan slyly pointed the arrow at Djaq's direction like he was just taking a closer look at the fletching. "It's a secret ok? Just because she's with Will doesn't mean my feelings get washed away. You know what I mean? Which is really bad enough. Unrequited. But Will is like family and I have to see them both everyday. Does it get any worse?" He confessed for the first time. "And you John?"
Little John sighed. "With another man. With my boy. In another town. Where I obviously am not welcomed." He emphasized simply with a few twirls of his staff.
"At least she's not just there in the castle where she has been enslaved. And I can never see her unless I want to get arrested and hanged. Why? Because we are not welcomed in the castle. So close yet so far. It is revolting." Much growled in frustration pulling cap over his eyes for a second before straightening it back into position.
Robin smirked realizing for probably the first time since they have been back from the Holy Lands that he was not alone. It was a wonder how they could still be alive carrying such a burden within them. Love could be the most ridiculous thing in the world. "We have got to be, undoubtedly, the saddest lot of outlaws in the history of England." He stated before breaking into a fit of uncontrollable laughter which the rest of the bitter hearts gladly joined in except for Much.
"Oh, Kaleelah. Or whatever." Much threw his hands in resignation as he headed for the kitchen causing the group to laugh even harder. They were just about to settle down when Allan raised his hand in the air.
"Not being funny, but what's kaleelah?" He asked. And the group, Much included, erupted in laughter again.
--
-- Nottingham town--
Little John peered around the corner to check if there were any soldiers nearby. He couldn't imagine why there would be any soldiers guarding where the garbage goes down. They have successfully gotten inside the castle by this route undetected many times. Allan's betrayal had changed that making them a bit more cautious than maybe necessary. Now that there were grills on the other side, and a soldier waiting inside the castle, it would be next to impossible to use it again. Sentries also used to be rerouted to pass the area once in awhile just in case they attempted the feat again. No matter, they weren't here to get into the castle. They were there for information from within the castle. Unfortunately, the same rules apply to sneaking in-- they can't be spotted.
He motioned for the others that the coast was clear. Immediately three other hooded outlaws made their way to the pile of trash. One was slower than the other two trying very hard to step on the most solid parts of the ground. Little John rolled his eyes. This was no time to be concerned whether their boots got dirty. A soldier can pass by at any time. Besides, they live in the forest. "Much!" He coughed out leaning against the wall.
Much quickly went to where the other two were and watched after the shock of Little John's low growl. There was a small box dangling very low from the chute from a thin piece of rope so that it won't be easily noticed. He saw Carter take the box sliding the top open revealing the content. There was a small rolled up piece of parchment.
"See, the rope is tied to the grills above." He explained taking the note inside and handing it to Robin. "So Eve pulls this up when she takes the trash out, takes our note then drops it. If the top is open meaning it's empty. When she has something for us, the top would be closed. It lies low near the trash so it looks like trash at first glance." He gave his palm to the smaller man.
Much reached inside his pocket and pulled out his note with her name neatly written on top. "Genius." He commented admiring the simplicity of the concept. "Who thought of it?" He asked curiously.
Carter placed his note in place and slid the top shut. He then gently dropped the box so that it would hang without hitting the stone wall of the castle. "She did." He answered simply.
Much couldn't help but beam with pride. In the short time he was with Eve, he had noticed that she was smart as well as sweet, brave and talented. He admired her very much. "One day, I'll get her out of the castle. Away from Gisbourne and the Sheriff." He vowed confidently that he would succeed in the future. He didn't notice when Robin shook his head suddenly remembering the same vow he made when Marian was under arrest. "Then we can go back to my Bonchurch. Carter, did you know that I am the Earl of Bonchurch?" He grinned widely as they left the trash heap and melted into the crowd. Little John followed closely behind them. "You should be calling me Lord Much instead of just Much." He instructed the crusader walking beside him.
"Much Shut up!" Little John exclaimed in a low exasperated voice.
Carter smirked. "No, John. Let me do it." He cleared his throat. "Shut up, Lord Much!" He repeated wryly.
Much felt ice run down his spine for a brief second before trying to compose himself. "That's.. better." He stammered. He walked quickly away from the two larger men chuckling at his discomfort to catch up with their leader. "Robin, can we ban Carter from the camp?"
Robin,
though, wasn't listening. Instead he was reading the neat cursive on
the parchment. He sighed worriedly placing the piece of paper in his
pocket. "This is not good. Back to camp. We have a problem." He said.
--
-- Nottingham Castle--
"Gisbourne!" The sheriff bellowed from the Great Hall. He placed his feet upon the table in front of him happily. He chuckled biting into an apple while reading. "Gisbourne!" He called out again slightly more impatiently this time. He couldn't understand what could be taking so long. Normally, his lieutenant would be come in the Great Hall in less than a second. He shrugged the delay off waiting for the Lord of Locksley.
The door to the Great Hall finally swung open. "My Lord Sheriff?" Sir Guy of Gisbourne greeted while closing the door. He faced the sheriff and stared. He couldn't believe his eyes for a moment. There was the sheriff sitting comfortably on the head of the table with an apple on one hand and the bible on the other. He wasn't surprised that he had the bible with him given the importance of the book. What stopped him was the fact that the sheriff was actually reading the bible.
"How is your Locksley my pet?" The sheriff asked distracted by what he was reading.
"The villagers are slowly coming back." He took a few steps forward to make sure that it was the bible he was reading. "Pardon my lord, but are you actually reading the bible or is there some code inside we did not see before?" He speculated.
The sheriff turned to face the younger man. "Am I not Christian Gisbourne? Last I check, I still was. You?" He answered smugly. "Besides, I'm bored. This is a book. Therefore, reading it is." He announced decidedly. "In fact Guy, since I am such a good Christian, do you want my apple? It's very sweet." He held out the red half eaten apple to the lieutenant. "Gizzy want an apple?" He grinned.
Sir Guy just gave the sheriff a confused look not knowing what game he was playing now. The tone in his voice was innocent enough. But nothing was ever innocent about the sheriff of Nottingham. He watched as the sheriff lowered his gaze stretching his more offering the apple. "Generous offer but no thank you sheriff." He replied politely.
The sheriff's smile grew even wider taking a bite off the apple. "Do you know why that didn't work Gisbourne? Do you? No? Well I'll tell you." He took his feet off the table and stood up excitedly. "It is because, I am not a girl." He stated with the apple still in one hand and an open bible in the other. He walked slowly towards Guy. "That's right. I am a man. Right here, Gizzy, Genesis." He pointed out to bible. "There was this little wench named Eve who picked an apple--" He held up his other hand holding the apple,"--off the forbidden tree. Then gave it to Adam, a manly man--" He pointed to the both of them, "--to eat. And do you know what this Adam did, Gisbourne hm?" He inquired.
"He took the fruit and fell into sin." Gisbourne finished the story unamused but confused at the sheriff's sudden interest in the old scripture tale.
The sheriff closed the bible forcefully creating a loud slapping sound. "Lah di dah di dah. Very good. Someone was a good little church boy. What happened to you since?" He taunted with a small chuckle. "You see, Guy, if another boy, such as myself, would give Adam the apple, would he take it? A clue: No." He turned decisively throwing the apple through the open window. "It's because a girl gave it to him that he ate it. Silly little Adam allowed himself to be bewitched by a girl. Poor man didn't know any better. Now, if only he were forewarned that the pretty one was just a leper, mankind would be saved." He paused for a second. "Well, man would be saved. I don't know about the other gender." He corrected himself quickly walking towards Gisbourne again just to stop right in front of him. "Do you know what this means Guy?" He gave the man an amused smirk.
"No sir." Sir Guy admitted still wondering where the sheriff was going with the Fall of Man story.
"It means, Gizzy that God agrees with my hypothesis that women are lepers." He informed the lieutenant. "Right from the very first chapter." He concluded tapping the bible on Sir Guy's forehead to emphasize his last three words. The sheriff happily opened the door and left the hall holding the bible and humming while leaving Guy just as baffled as he was when he entered.
--
-- Outlaw's camp --
Djaq watched as Robin took a seat on a log with his brow furrowed trying to think. She saw the four men come back from town earlier but decided to distance herself slightly from camp because she needed to concentrate on the medicine she was making. Allan had started asking Much about what he wrote on the note to Eve which Much eventually related. The next thing anybody knew they were having a full blown argument on what he should have said instead of what he had written. She left before it could get worse with the knowledge that between Much and Allan, the conversation could last hours. She sighed adding a few more leaves into her mortar before grinding the herb into the paste. "We finished today's drops." She said breaking the silence and hoping that he would tell her what was really going on.
"That's good, Djaq." Robin answered now simply looking up to the sky like the answer was written in the clouds.
Djaq saw a small smile creep into his face and knew to leave him alone. He was probably thinking of her after all. To most people, the sky represented heaven. She was about to pick up and leave again when she saw Will running towards her with a large crimson stain on his shirt. Her first instinct was to think that it was blood. Fear suddenly flooded through her body. She ran to him immediately forgetting that Robin was there. "Will!" She cried. It was only until she was much closer that she saw that it was far too bright to be blood which ruled out that he had some sort of injury.
"Djaq, I'm so sorry. I slipped on some mud and broke that vial you gave me before I could even test it." He motioned to his shirt. To his surprise, she threw her arms around him. He couldn't think of anything else but to return her embrace. "Something wrong love?" He planted a quick kiss on her forehead and frowned with concern when they parted.
She chuckled. "No, nothing. I just thought you were hurt." She laced her fingers with his leading him to where she had left her mortar and pestle. "I'll make you more of that. But maybe in a different colour." She pointed at the stain. When her eyes left Will, she automatically caught Robin's gaze. Djaq stopped walking feeling slightly flustered now that she was aware that they were being watched.
Will stopped walking as well finally noticing Robin eying them with a small smile. He was mortified. He watched the whole thing and they didn't even notice. Will made a quick mental note to mind who they were with the next time he and Djaq had a conversation. Their leader must think that they were disrespectfully flaunting the fact that they were together while he was mourning his loss. "Robin." He nodded acknowledging his presence as he himself blushed.
Robin stood
up chuckling. He placed his hands on his comrades posing a cheeky
expression. "Will, Djaq.." He ordered leading the
way obviously still amused. The two exchanged puzzled looks as they
followed their leader back home.
--
-- The Western Passage--
The mercenaries quietly marched forward in the darkness of the night on the Western Passage. The inky blackness was only disturbed by the few torches of light they carried with them. They were on constant alert straining their senses for any sound that did not come from their muffled conversations or their weapons hitting their sheathes. The looked around the hilly and rocky forest that surrounded them for any signs of life that could stop their way to the villages they were paid to raid.
One broke away from the pack to walk along side their leader perturbed by the complete silence of the woods. In his experience, the woodlands were always alive no matter the time of day or night. But as he gazed up on the canopy of the trees and to the walls of rock and hills they were passing, he knew there was something wrong. He couldn't see or hear anything which bothered him to no end. The silence was deafening. "Sir, I suggest we stop now and continue at first light." He recommended his eyes darting around the area once more.
"No." The man answered automatically. "We've been paid to do this at night. If we do it in the morning, it wouldn't be night now would it." He pointed out.
"Not that they'll know." The mercenary snorted in reply.
His leader smirked. "You're right. But we are also easier to spot when the sun is out. What if they've gone by then? We don't kill them, we don't get paid. And we like getting paid."
"But the woods sir. It's too quiet. Something is out--" The man had started but was quickly interrupted.
"Are you paranoid?! Of course it is quiet. Every living thing is asleep. Are you scared of ghosts?" The leader teased. The assassin shook his head in reply slowing down his pace so he could fall back to his original line. He watched as they walked on the path marveling at sight in front of them. Up ahead were the roots of several large trees sitting on top of the rock face to their right. The over sized roots created rows of arches on the path and intertwined with the trees by the left side. The mercenary has seen things like this before having spent a lot of time in the woods as a boy but it never ceased to amaze him.
They walked under the roots and he looked up to the sky watching the moon appear and reappear each time he passed the tangle of roots. He held up his hand to touch the wood overhead just to recoil in confusion when he found that it was wet. He checked his hand rubbing the dark liquid between his fingers. He thought they were just some type of moss or dead wood. He raised his fingers to his nose trying to distinguish the familiar smell. Then, on the side of his eye, he saw their leader hold up his fists. They all stopped brandishing their weapons at the ready. Right ahead of them were two black figures standing on the path motionless. At first glance, they could have just been shadows. But then he saw the glint of the small arrowhead when it met the moonlight as one of the figures held up his bow. The figure fired while the other smaller one started walking forward unsheathing its weapons.
His eyes widened when the arrow hit one of the torch bearers beside him squarely on the chest. He stared at the man and torch falling seemingly in slow motion. In an instant, he realized what the black liquid was. "Pitch." He whispered in fear. The torch fell on the pitch lined path. Fire spread around them immediately. He took a quick look back at where he had just been just to see two more figures walking towards them. The flames grew as it started eating their clothes. Chaos ensued as people pushed in every direction trying to get out screaming in pain.
He
was suddenly thankful he was on the front lines. He didn't have to
struggle too much to escape the fiery trap they had walked onto. Once
he saw that there were no more flames beside him, he dropped and rolled
against the cool ground putting out the flames on his clothes. His
happiness was short lived when he felt a blade run through his chest
before it was retracted. His hand quickly moved to where the blade went
through. A dizzy spell hit him when he saw his own blood reflecting off
the fire. He felt his head roll to one side. He could no longer do
anything but watch as one of his comrades tackled a figure just to be
kicked backwards. It didn't matter, there were two or three more around
the fallen figure ready to kill. He couldn't be sure of the number. His
world was now hazy at best. It didn't matter, he would still die
smiling in the satisfaction that he was avenged.
--
--Nottingham Castle --
"Vassey...Vassey..." The sheriff tossed in his bed as he heard his name being called softly. He was barely awake placing the voice as part of his dreams. He tried to move into a more comfortable position breathing deeply ignoring the baritone voice calling out to him. "Vassey... Vassey..." The voice continued calling him. The sheriff tossed to his side wrapping the pillow around his head but it didn't help. "There's no escape Vassey... No escape Vassey..." The voice droned on.
The sheriff is fully awake now. He growled in annoyance snapping up to a sitting position "What?! What do you want at this hour? I'll see to it that you are hanged in the morning." He grumpily replied before opening his eyes. There was a white and fuzzy standing at the foot of his bed as his eyes tried to adjust to the lone candlelight in the dark room.
"Hanged Vassey?" Came a calm reply. "How do you hang a ghost?"
The sheriff sat frozen in his bed. His eyes had finished adjusting to the dim room. The white and fuzzy image sharpened into a familiar ashen crusader in his white blood stained uniform. The sheriff paled when the man's blue lips parted for a small smug smile. "Blondie?" He managed to stutter out.
Carter nodded solemnly. "It's nice to see you again, Sheriff." He barely whispered out.
"But your dead. I stabbed you good. I killed you in the Holy Land." The sheriff eyed the crusader suspiciously. "You're not real. You can't be real. Yes, that's it. You are not real. Go back to your grave." He concluded pointing at Carter.
The man shook his head lightly placing his hands together in front of him. "I am real Vassey and I can't go back until I get what I want." He slowly tilted his head to one side as if he was questioning the sheriff of Nottingham.
Vassey felt a lump forming in his throat. "Until you get what you want? What could you possibly want? You're dead. What could the dead want?" He blurted out quickly before he could stop himself. He watched in fear when Carter's eyes looked down the returned slowly back to him.
The ghost's jaw clenched allowing red liquid to seep out of the corners of his lips. He raised both his hands staring blankly at he sheriff. "I came for you, Vassey."
The sheriff clenched his eyes shut when
he saw the ghost moving towards him. "Mummy. I want my mummy." He
muttered trying to get under the sheet covers. He felt a blow to the
side of his head. His eyes flew open instantly realizing that he's been
tricked. He heard a stifle laugh fill the room. But it was too late to
fight back as he fell to his pillow unconscious.
--
-- Sherwood Forest--
Allan waited impatiently for the bucket to fill with water holding it steady on a small crook. Dawn had just broken and he was downright excited for what he was about to do. He didn't want to listen to Much ranting on about how stupid their plan was the night before. He didn't want to hear about the consequences which is why he volunteered to get the water. The problem was, he could still hear the argument from where he was. He silently swore to kill Much if the sheriff woke up before he gets back.
"But we kidnapped the sheriff! What if that man comes back to check on him?" He can hear Much argue.
"That's tomorrow." He can hear Robin reply. "He'll be back by then." The leader of the gang reasoned.
"But Eve said that he carries the bible with him wherever he goes. It must've been in his room then. In the safe. Same place he hid the Pact." Much whined.
"It wasn't there Much. It wasn't anywhere." Robin explained. "We wouldn't do this if we found it would we? "
Allan could imagine Robin giving his former man servant a reassuring look now that there was a pause in the conversation. Seeing the bucket filled with water, he happily made his way back to the gang. "We are going to get it for sure." He heard Much swear. Allan could imagine him pulling on his cap or fidgeting with his jumper in worry. True enough when he made his way back to the small forest clearing they decided to gather in, Much was sitting on a rock, arms crossed and pouting.
Will gave the panicked outlaw a weak smile. "This was what we decided yesterday Much. Besides, what can you do no? We've already kidnapped the sheriff."
Much gave out an big sigh of defeat. "Fine. But this better work." He huffed.
Robin gave much a confident smile. "Oh it will." He walked over so that he would be just a few paces away from the sheriff. "Allan, if you would do the honours." He motioned towards the sheriff that was unceremoniously tied to a tree.
Allan let out a small evil laugh. "Gladly. Stand back gents and Djaq." He swung the bucket full of water hard to the unconscious sheriff's direction. The sheriff sputtered wide eyed in shock much to Allan's delight. He tossed the pail aside smiling from ear to ear. "Not being funny, but I always wanted to do that." He confessed taking the empty spot roughly in between Little John and Will.
"Where am I? Where am I?!" The sheriff demanded turning his head wildly as he struggled against his binds.
There was a chuckle to his right side. "Not in heaven."
The sheriff faced the man who answered him dryly. He scowled in disgust when he recognized the man leaning against the tree behind him. "Carter." He clenched his jaw seeing the amused man give him a small wave.
"Definitely not in heaven." Followed another. "What's wrong Sheriff, you look like you've seen a ghost." There were a few giggles around the clearing as the sheriff eyed them all one by one jogging his memory in a frustrated incoherent yell.
The sheriff shifted his attention to the audacious outlaw standing right in front of him. "Hood!" He sneered. "Kidnapping?! This is low even for you." He chastised.
Robin raised his shoulders innocently. "Really? I thought it was pretty sophisticated taking a page out of your book." He replied.
"Big words for an outlaw. Sophisticated." He mocked. "Good work by the way, Carter. Very impressive with the blood on your lips.Too bad your little king wasn't able to see your act yesterday." The sheriff grimaced. "Oh you came for me? I'm flattered. Do you want an award now?" He spat out wryly.
"Oh Sheriff, the look on your face was enough. Really." He nodded nonchalantly.
The sheriff glowered angrily. "Let's get on with this. What's this all about Hood? The fact that I haven't hanged anyone in awhile? Here I thought I was doing you a favor. Losing the people's love because you're not acting like a hero hm? Aw, isn't that sad. I guess you need me after all." The sheriff finally stopped vainly struggling against the binds that held him back. He now sat glaring at each outlaw that was present.
"Need you?! The world is better off without you." Robin gave a small laugh of disbelief. "Well if you want to be all business..." Robin dropped to one knee so that they were at eye level. "You have something we want." His smile disappeared much to the delight of the sheriff.
"Of course I do. I have it all." The sheriff pointed out quickly.
"A bible." Little John said.
"Get one from the church. They have lots." Vassey retorted.
"But what's the fun in that?" Robin replied sarcastically. "Don't play innocent with us Vassey. Those priests admitted that they were carrying messages for the Black Knights. Now I have all the reason to think that it's hidden in that bible they gave you. So, what was the message?" Robin asked.
The sheriff grinned. "The message was-- to love God and to love thy neighbor. Dear boy, I do believe these binds are not so neighborly hm." He motioned to the binds with his head.
"Cute. That's real cute." Allan rolled his eyes growing tired of the conversation. "Not being funny Robin, but this is what he does to Guy. All day. Plus, he's pretty much tortured us all before." He winced when he spotted Carter. "Well, maybe except for Carter. But you know what I mean." He corrected himself. "Why don't we return the favor. It won't kill him." He suggested.
"Allan, Allan, Allan." The sheriff shook his head half heartedly. "It's too bad you've decided to be an outlaw again. You could have been great. Maybe even better than Gisbourne. Such a shame really." He feigned disappointment.
The outlaws ignored him looking to each other in agreement. "We can take turns." Djaq offered earning an odd look of interest from Will.
Robin clapped his hands together then rubbed it mischievously. "Looks like the gang has spoken, Sheriff." He turned around to face his outlaws with a small childish hop. "Who wants to go first raise your hand." He raised his own hand automatically just like everyone around him. "Well, that didn't work very well." He stated facing Vassey again. "Why don't we go by size? John? He's all yours." Robin grinned backing away. There was an audible disappointed groan from the rest of the gang.
"Great." Much threw his hands in the air. "I'll never get my turn." He said at a loss while Little John stepped forward cracking his knuckles with a big smile on his face.
Little John dropped to one knee recoiling his right arm. "For my boy little Little John and Alice." He nodded ready to deliver his blow.
The sheriff couldn't help but stare at the size of Little John's fists imagining it pommeling through his skull. He shuddered at the thought. "Okay okay you win!" He shouted out loud so that everybody could hear. "I can't believe you haven't looked under my shirt." He cringed because John hasn't lowered his fist.
Much eyed the Sheriff in disgust. "Under your shirt?! That is revolting." He said aghast at the idea of taking the bible now.
"John." Robin ordered for him to stand down. Little John sighed going back to his place dejectedly.
"It's alright John." Will tried to comfort the bigger man with a pat on the back. But Little John just took his staff from the tree it was leaning against and sighed again.
--
-- Nottingham Castle --
Sir Guy of Gisbourne stepped inside the castle feeling like the castle was suddenly very unfamiliar. There was laughter coming from the guards coming to relieve those that had stood watch over the gates. The kitchen maids walked around freely chatting away a storm with a basket of fruits or vegetables each. The servants were actually smiling as they went past. Nobody was yelling randomly at anybody. He couldn't understand the lightheartedness that has taken over the castle. It almost didn't feel real.
He hurriedly made his way to the Great Hall expecting the sheriff to be engrossed with the bible like he was the previous day. That could be the source of the castle's odd demeanor. The fact that the sheriff hasn't hanged anyone since those priests left already have people in town talking that maybe the sheriff has reformed. Sir Guy knew better although he himself was starting to have doubts especially after the rather twisted lesson on the Fall of Man. He pushed the door open and entered ready to greet the sheriff good morning just to find that the sheriff was not there.
Sir Guy frowned quickly walking towards the sheriff's planning room shoving the door open more forcefully than necessary. When he didn't find the sheriff there panic started to take over his system. He ran towards the sheriff's quarters, opened those doors and stood by the doorway staring at the empty room. He felt it. Something was wrong. The bed hasn't been made which meant that the sheriff hasn't left the room so that a servant could fix it. The curtains were still drawn. Everything seemed to be in its place. Yet he couldn't escape the nagging feeling he had that something had happened the night before and this was not a case of sleep walking again.
He slowly stepped inside the room trying to find anything that could give him a clue of what transpired. He noticed a few drops of dried red liquid after a few steps. He bent down to touch it. The spots were too bright and thin to be blood. There were a line of ants leading to it telling Gisbourne that whatever the red liquid was, it was sweet. "Berries." He surmised standing to see the untouched bowl of grapes on the sheriff's desk. "Forest berries." He glowered crossing his arms. Then it hit him and he stomped his foot in frustration. "Hood kidnapped the sheriff." He concluded.
Sir Guy of Gisbourne rushed out of the room without closing the door. "Guards!" He shouted out. "Ready the dogs!" He ordered.
--
-- Sherwood Forest --
For the second time that morning, the sheriff found himself brought back to sputtering consciousness by a bucket full of water. He could hear the pail being discarded aside with an amused voice talking. "You're right Allan. That was strangely satisfying." His eyes opened staring at who said it just to find a smiling dark haired pale lanky carpenter exchanging a smile with one of his former underlings.
Allan spread his arms confidently. "What did I tell you mate?" He replied.
The sheriff yelled incoherently in anger finding himself in the same position he was in before. He was still tied to a tree in the middle of the forest with the band of outlaws he would love to see hanging by the neck. He saw a pair of boots stop a few paces from him and brought his gaze upward.
"Good morning again sheriff." Robin greeted holding up the bible he has been keeping."We had to knock you out to get this." He tossed the bible to Much who caught it just to immediately toss it to John beside him. Much grimaced in disgust wiping his hands on his pants. John took a quick look at the bible and shrugged.
"And did you find anything beyond the scripture hm Hood?" The sheriff smiled knowing that they would not have woken him if they had found what they were looking for. The gang stayed quiet which made the sheriff's lips curve upwards even more. "The great celebrated Robin Hood can't believe that a bible is just a bible." He grinned. "What's the matter Locksley? What do you think was written there? Prince John's secret orders? A Black Knight code of honour?" The sheriff chuckled.
Robin frowned offended that the sheriff had seen right through him. "You have a code of honour? What does it say? 'I have none'?" He replied sarcastically.
"Oh. Still sassy I see. After all the time we spent together, I'm glad you know me so well Hood." The sheriff gave the outlaws a breezy relaxed expression. "Now set me free. You obviously have no evidence against me this time. Isn't that how your world of justice works? Innocent until proven guilty. I do believe Hood, that this time, you are mistaken. I am innocent." The sheriff started laughing again.
"You are far from innocent, Vassey. Tell us what you know now and I will not hurt you." Carter replied taking a menacing step forward for the first time since they started talking to the sheriff.
"You have to kill me first." Vassey challenged confidently. He shifted his gaze to Robin. "Will you tolerate that Hood? Remember, if Goldilocks here kills me, you can say goodbye birdie to everything."
He watched Robin stop Carter from advancing by blocking his path and shaking his head. "He's right Carter." He agreed grimly.
"Oh. This is good. This is very good." The sheriff wished he could clap his hands in glee but he couldn't. He would settle for a wide toothy grin instead.
Little John rolled his eyes watching the sheriff play the outlaw against the crusader. He thumbed the leather bible hoping that God would hear him and stop this madness. Then he stopped when he felt rough ridges against his skin. He raised the bible for a closer inspection. He compared the leather from the front and back of the bible noting that the back had small lines and rows of ridges slanting to the left while the front was completely smooth. He squinted his eyes trying to make sense of the embossed design. Suddenly he was taken aback when he thought he saw a few letters pop out from the ridges. He quickly looked around at the plants around them until he found a small bush with berries growing wildly. He immediately went to it much to the surprise of everyone there.
"John, what's wrong?" Djaq asked when he saw the large man picking fruit out of the bush. But Little John had ignored her.
"He's probably just hungry. I'm hungry. This interrogation has gone on a bit longer than I expected." Much moaned.
Will's eyes grew wide when he saw Little John crushing the berries on the leather bible. He quickly stood from his seat rushing to the man in an attempt to take the bible away from him. "John, what are you doing?" He tried to steal the bible from John before he damages the pages. But the man had slapped his hands away then turned him around forcing him to a low bow. Will was baffled when he felt John press the bible on his back before taking the book away.
"That." John pulled the back of Will's shirt making him stand up straight once more before swiveling the carpenter to face him. John pushed Will gently so that he would be walking backwards towards Robin. He gave his confused friend an apologetic look. "Robin." He called out.
Robin stopped guarding the sheriff to take a brief glance at what John has done to Will. "What do you have there John?" He asked curiously seeing lines scribbled on Will's shirt.
"Yes, what do you have there John?" Will gave the large man an annoyed expression as he continued being forced to walk backwards until John stopped him.
Robin bent slightly squinting at the shirt. He pulled the shirt straight so that he could see the what John had done clearly. His eyes widened feeling his heart grow cold with worry. "Carter, I think you should take a look at this." He suggested backing away running both his hands through his hair. He watched as the others joined to see what was on Will's back.
"Not being funny, but I don't think that's Latin." Allan backed away not being able to decifer anything else.
Djaq followed suit. "No. Not Latin. That is French." She pointed out eying the gang's pale silent leader in confusion. "Robin, what does it say?" She asked.
But Robin was not the one to reply. "L'ordre de chevalier-- Aquitaine." Much read. "The order of knights." He recoiled back breathlessly giving a rough translation of the heading. "These are names and locations." He informed the rest of his gang that aren't able to read the writing as he continued to skim Will's shirt. "It's a list of the Knights of Aquitaine." He stood up straight giving Robin a lost look.
"What?!" Will exclaimed trying to face the others. But two firm hands held him steady.
"I need you to stay still a moment longer, Will. I'm trying to find names." Will heard Carter explain slowly. He stood still knowing exactly whose names he was looking for.
The sheriff's laughter broke the tense air that hung in the clearing. He leaned his head back to the tree trunk. "Do you know what I hate Hood? Hm? I hate people who meddle in other people's business. Especially lepers meddling in other people's business. My business. You know what they are Locksley? They're like bees whose sting will hurt for a mere second but you get to swat them dead anyway. Oh. Happy. Day." His smile faded. "Did you really think we'd let that Queen bee order her little minions around to spy on us in support of her favorite Richie Rich in the Holy Lands? Her workers have been buzzing around too long, they were starting to sting. And what do we do with stinging little insects? We slap them dead." He smirked amused at his euphemism.
"What have you done Vassey?" Robin demanded in a menacing voice.
"Me? Nothing. I'm right here with you." The sheriff answered simply. "The mercenaries however, I'm not too sure. Have you seen Ellingham lately?"
"Robin, I'm going to town." Carter announced finally letting Will go free.
"Why? Is your world spinning a little to fast? I wonder who could slow it down for you, Blondie." The sheriff called after Carter who stopped immediately in his tracks. "A little noble half- breed and her friends maybe?" He suggested. The sheriff grinned when the crusader turned revealing how pale he was. "Oh, don't be so shocked. James told me all about her. Remember James? Imagine my surprise in learning this little thief called Leigh Thornton was the same little Evangeline Stone from Cornwall that helped with an evacuation who is now the little knight named Evangeline S. de Laurent. I'm thinking that S stands for her mother's name Stone how about you? Precious rolling Stone that doesn't know when to stop bothering me." The sheriff laughed.
"You hurt that girl sheriff and you will live to regret it. Eva is a good friend of ours." Will threatened.
The sheriff gave the old man servant a wry look. "Lah di dah di dah. What are you going to do? Kill me? Haven't we had this conversation before. De ja vu hm? Really Locksley, your men don't learn." He taunted. It was then that they heard the echoes of barking dogs filling the forest. The gang remained silent as the sheriff continued to enjoy himself. "Look, my friends are coming to save me. Too bad that leper can't say the same." The sheriff baited.
Robin dropped to one knee making sure the sheriff's eyes met his. "What do you mean?"
"What do you think I mean? A bit slow today aren't you Robin? How very disappointing." The sheriff faked a sigh while chuckling. "It's been done! It's too late for all of them especially that Eva as you call her. And you didn't know any better. Dear boy, that willful leper has crossed me more times than her companions. What do you think a hundred hungry assassins would do to a pretty sleeping girl in her night clothes before they kill her? A hundred vs one. She might be the good but really who are we kidding? Quantity over quality. She's dead. Ellingham saw to that two nights ago." The sheriff spat out. "And another one bites the dust." He grinned.
"No. That's not true. Take it back." Carter yelled before hitting the sheriff squarely on the cheek.
"Carter!" The sheriff continued laughing as Robin quickly tackled the crusader hitting him on hard on the temple. Carter fell limp on the ground. The barking from the dogs grew louder alerting them that they needed to leave before they were caught.
"Robin. Dogs." Much reminded him ready to make a run for safety.
Robin got off Carter and faced the sheriff. "This isn't over." He swore rising to his feet. "John, take Carter. Let's leave sheriff with his dogs." He ordered. John solemnly passed the bible to Will before carrying the unconscious Carter. A few minutes later, the dogs came along with Gisbourne who quickly untied the amused sheriff.
Gisbourne couldn't believe that the sheriff looked pleased with himself while he was tied to a tree. He decided not to question it thanking God instead that the sheriff wasn't in a bad mood like he normally would. "I'll increase the detail near your room and window sir. This should not happen again." Gisbourne shook his head as he cut the rope tying the sheriff to the tree.
The sheriff smiled. "Yes yes. I don't know why you haven't done that already." He replied rubbing the rope marks on his wrists. "Dear boy, let's go back to the castle and eat shall we? I'm hungry." He cheerfully made his way to a horse that a soldier was holding still for him.
Gisbourne was confused. "You don't want us to use the dogs and find Hood?" He asked baffled at the sheriff's light demeanor.
"Gisbourne, did I stutter? I said I'm hungry." He repeated mounting the horse by stepping on a crouched soldier. "Besides, they didn't get anything important but old news and what can they do about that? Turn back time? Sorry only God can do that and even He doesn't. If he did, he wouldn't have created the leper gender." He sat on the horse's saddle while Gisbourne just stared at him in shock when he mentioned God once more.
"Lord sheriff, are you sure you're alright?" Sir Guy finally said. "You have been acting strange." He continued to frown with worry.
"Gizzy, you're ruining my day of verbally torturing outlaws. Can't I be happy that we're winning? We're one step ahead of them so I want to eat. Food. Edible objects. Eating before scheming!" The sheriff shouted now visibly annoyed. "Now are you going to point me to the direction of the castle or are you just going to stand there like an ant looking to me and my high horse." He demanded.
Sir Guy nodded giving in to
the sheriff's request. "Apologies my lord sheriff." He said before
turning to his men. "Back to the castle. Now." He ordered mounting his
own horse. He spurred his animal forward towards the direction of the
castle with the sheriff and the dogs following his lead.
--
-- Outlaw's Camp --
He watched her as she took a long dagger from her sleeve to force the sand that had piled up on the two graves he had brought her to. In a few minutes, the red cross against white of the crusaders' shields became visible again. She took off the helmet she was wearing and pulled down the white hood of her over sized crusader uniform letting her raven hair free. She sheathed the dagger back into her sleeve sitting down on the sand. "You do not have to worry about me. I'm fine in Anjou and the villagers have adjusted quite nicely there so you do not have to worry about them either. And yes, Uncle Mark, I took back dad's name. And yes, Tristan, I still kept the Stone name. Evangeline Stone de Laurent-- nice ring to it yes? Long last name though. Can you imagine having to write that in parchment?" He heard her say as if she was in a conversation with her dead relatives. He took a step back to give her privacy but as he looked into the horizon he remembered his own brother. He felt tears trying to form in his eye but held them back. It didn't take very long until he felt a tug on his sleeve. He turned to face her. She was making her helmet spin from the inside with one hand when she looked up. He saw her expression change from generally amused to concern. "Monsieur le chevalier, are you alright?" She asked.
He gave her his best aloof look. "Yes. I'm just laughing with the wrong side of my face. Are you ready to go back to camp?" He had asked.
But he could tell she wasn't convinced. She was still staring at him with the same expression. "I think you need a hug." She decided with a nod. Her helmet fell on the sand. In an instant he felt her arms wrap around him giving him a few friendly pats on the back while standing on her toes before letting him go. He had stood frozen in place the whole time. "Do you feel better?" He didn't give her any reply. He saw her cross her arms giving him a wry smile. "Men. Always seeing tears as a weakness." She shook her head as she picked her helmet from the ground and resumed making it spin. "Tears mean you are able to feel strongly about something you cannot explain or express otherwise. If you cannot feel strongly about anything as to be reduced to tears, then you are not human. To admit, monsieur, that you are crying is the bravest act of admitting you are human. If you do not want to admit you are crying, then you are saying you would rather be an unfeeling monster. That is what Uncle Mark says. I happen to believe him." She explained with a smile while placing her helmet back on her head.
"Are you calling me an unfeeling monster, Lady Stone de Laurent?" He asked slightly insulted that a girl years his junior just gave him a speech about how he deals with his emotions. He followed her to where they tied their horses.
"Well, that would depend Monsieur le chevalier." She replied turning around so she was walking backwards facing him while they talked. "Were you crying?" He saw the shine of amusement in her hazel eyes.
It was then he realized he was trapped. If he answered no, then he was a monster and a liar because she knew the truth. But if he answered yes, then he would have nowhere to hide and he would have to explain. He met her expectant gaze again. "Yes, I was." He admitted surprising himself that it wasn't as shameful or hard as he originally thought it was.
The girl's smile brightened. "Parfait. I am happy to report that you are not a monster, Monsieur le Chevalier." They reached the group of palm trees they tied their horses to. She reached the reigns first starting to untie them when she looked back at him catching him staring at her. "Yes? You look a bit confused. Did you want to be a monster?" She teased.
He took the reigns of his horse that she handed to him. "No. I was just wondering how you could be so cheerful after seeing the graves of your relatives for the first time. The King had said that they raised you in Cornwall. Was he mistaken?" He inquired curiously.
"That is correct. My parents died when I was five and I was raised three quarters of the year in Cornwall and the rest in France." She mounted her horse easily without needing his assistance. "Separation matters little when I know we will be meeting again you see." She answered letting her horse keep stride beside his. She started biting her lower lip before turning her head to see if anything was behind them.
"I'm sorry I'm afraid I don't follow." He confessed noting her preoccupation giving the area a quick sweep himself.
She chuckled. "Think about it. There is always heaven."
He stopped his horse when he heard her reply. Admittedly, she made sense. She turned her horse so that they were facing each other. "Yes Monsieur le Chevalier?" She asked again watching the horizon. "Two crusaders in the middle of this desert on horseback without anyone to call for. We are open targets." She reminded him.
"Lady Stone de Laurent, can you stop calling me Monsieur le Chevalier?" He smiled reaching out his hand. "It's Carter."
She let her horse walk forward so that she could shake the his hand. "Can you stop calling me Lady Stone de Laurent?" She said in the same tone he used. "It's Eva." She grinned mischievously when they let go. "Since we are friends, how about we race back to Acre, Carter? I have a bad feeling like we are being watched." She suggested glancing at the area around them.
He felt himself start grinning. "Let's go." But as he rode on, he knew he was losing. She was just a speck on the distance now. The sand and sky started to grow darker and he heard people start talking like voices in his head melding into one big sentence. " I thought you might want something to eat with all your traveling... Allan cooked it...kidnap the sheriff...Knights of Aquitaine... You will regret it... Eva is a good friend of ours...What do you mean... It's been done...It's too late for all of them... She's dead." It said. "She's dead." It repeated.
"Carter." He heard a distinct voice call out. Carter snapped his head up trying to recognize where he was in the darkness only lit by a camp fire. He wasn't in the Holy Land racing back to Acre. He was back in Sherwood forest where night has apparently fallen. Then everything that day returned back to him. He had acted like a ghost to kidnap the sheriff. John had cracked the mystery of the bible and the sheriff shared information that they could no longer use. "Because its been done. We're too late." He recounted in a soft voice.
He looked at the unusually quiet camp. The gang talked in soft whispers often stealing glances his way. It was only a few seconds after that he realized that he was sitting at the very spot under the tree where he had woken her only a few weeks before. "Eva." He looked up finally meeting Robin's gaze. He was right in front of him on one knee with his hand on his shoulder. "Robin, I've been unconscious the whole day. Did you have to hit me so hard?" He stated trying to make sure his voice was even.
"Apologies, Carter." He answered gently. "Have something to eat." He said offering him a bowl of stew.
Carter took the bowl slowly eating whatever was in it. Silence ensued between the two crusaders until he couldn't take it anymore. "Robin, you've had the whole day. Did you hear any news of her?" He asked.
Robin nodded grimly. "We have. Will and Allan found a man in town looking for you at the Trip when they went to get your belongings. He said he could not stay. The man's name was Remy Moreau. Do you trust him?"
Carter nodded readying himself for whatever news there was to come. "Yes, he was part of their group of four that went to Acre. He was wounded at an ambush when they left the port. His injury made them stay a month at the Holy Land. Eva checked on him often." He recalled. "What did he say?" He managed to choke out.
"He said the four of them-- Camille, Raoul, Eva and himself-- confronted the mercenaries in the middle of the night while they were on route. They trapped the mercenaries and set them on fire and tried to kill everyone who escaped. He and Camille had the back so he did not see what happened to Raoul and Eva." Robin paused and took a deep breath. "He said to give you these. I'm sorry Carter." Robin took two daggers from behind him tied together by two necklaces in the middle.
Carter recognized them all as he laid them on his lap. The two daggers were something Eva carried around but hardly used because they belonged to her uncle and cousin. One of the necklaces was a tag of Robin Hood's gang. The other was a small metal cross hanging on a chain. He had given it to her before she left the Holy Lands. He gingerly caressed her belongings making sure they were real. "She's gone." He whispered untangling his necklace from daggers in vain. Hot tears streamed down his face blurring his vision.
For the second time in his life, Robin found himself holding the crusader in his time of grief.