One little note: Upon re-reading the previous chapters I was struck by my own vagueness of Robin's destination. I don't have anything up my sleeve by not saying outright "Robin has been told to go to ----" I just didn't feel like getting a map of England out to pick a reasonable place where the King might arrive. I would have gone with Dover, but I didn't want to sound like a dunce so it's left as "another town." Apologies.
Allan looked both ways before he knocked on Marian's door. After hearing a faint reply from within, he entered, finding her gazing out the window at the gray sky and bleak rooftops of Nottingham.
"Allan!" she said upon turning around. "How are you?"
"When was the last time you spoke to Robin?" he asked outright. No need to take time getting to the point when the point was very grave.
"Yesterday. Why?"
"Well, it's just the Sheriff and Guy are planning something. Did Robin say anything about, I don't know, about going somewhere, somewhere that would take him on the roads?"
Marian's face fell. It wasn't the first time she had to react to the realization that Robin had waltzed himself into danger.
"He received a note from Carter, a man he trusted, saying to travel to another town to await the King's arrival," she explained.
"Look, I don't know exactly what the plan is," he tried to say reassuringly. He paused and then offered, "I'll go—I'll go warn them." He knew that was Marian's first thought and he also knew that her going out to meet the gang might be more of a disaster than they needed. They never knew when the Sheriff was going to stop overlooking her and finally deal out the punishment she had always been one step ahead of.
"You look tired, John," Much remarked.
"I just made four deliveries, my boot sole is coming clean off, and you've been feeding us jerky for three days straight—tired is only the beginning of it."
They all looked stunned. It was the most words they had ever heard Little John say in one breath.
"Well," Much stuttered, "well anytime one of you wants to go out and hunt down a nice fat pheasant be my guest."
While they were arguing about food, Allan walked right up, tapped Djaq on the shoulder and crossed his arms.
They all took turns shouting at him and threatening him if he didn't leave.
"You still don't trust me," he laughed.
Much was dumbstruck. "Trust you?!"
"All right, all right, just a joke. Look, I'm here for Marian. Where's Robin?"
They all looked a little edgy, as if Allan had just asked the most sensitive question.
"Gone," Little John stated.
"Gone?" Allan repeated.
"Here—if you really came on behalf of Lady Marian," Much eyed him suspiciously, "this is for her." He handed Allan a folded parchment.
"So he left?" Allan asked again, sounding more concerned. "You're sure?"
"Yes, why?" Djaq asked, touching Allan's arm lightly. "What's wrong?"
Will fidgeted and squared his jaw.
"Well, it's just I think he might have gone right into a trap. I mean, I don't know for sure, but the Sheriff is up to something and Robin leaving can't be a good thing."
"What are we supposed to do now?" Will asked more forcefully than he intended.
"I don't know. Here, I'll take this to Marian. Let's just hope Robin's not in any trouble.
Robin had been careful to take unmarked and unfrequented roads, but he had to stop and water his horse at a pond in a clearing. He tugged his good and hunched over, all the while keeping his ears pricked for anything approaching. A twig snapped behind him. He turned and before he knew it was knocked to the ground. He awoke in the dungeons of Nottingham Castle.