I'm going to attempt to post once a week… It might work, it might not, but at least there's an update right now! :D Unfortunately, I have to work this summer, so I can't promise too much more.
Chapter 5
'Yes! I'm a Woman!'
I carefully checked behind every bush and tree before slipping off my outer clothes and sliding into the cool creek.
"Oh, that feels good." I said, relaxing into the cleansing water. I dunked my head into the water, rinsing out my short hair. When I came out and opened my eyes, Gil's face, his mouth wide enough to rival a town gate, greeted me. I crossed my arms over my chest, hoping he hadn't seen anything.
"The water feels great." I offered. He blinked. And blinked again.
"You're a-a-a." He stuttered. I sighed.
"Yes. I'm a woman." I said calmly. He turned around as if to go, but I sprang up.
"Wait!" I said. He turned slowly, eyes averted.
"You can't tell anyone!" I said fervently. He nodded, obviously dazed. I rolled my eyes.
"Go walk around for a little while. If anyone sees you now, they'll know something's up." I ordered. He nodded again and wandered away. I sighed and finished my bath, then slipped my clothes back on and started back to camp. However, something hit me halfway and everything went black.
Outlaw's Camp
I walked into camp, still trying to process the fact that Syd was a girl.
"Hey Gil! Where you been?" Alan called out, but I barely acknowledged him. Then I looked around. It had been an hour since I had found Syd, and she still wasn't back.
"Anyone seen Syd?" I asked. Everyone shook their heads.
"Nope. Last I saw, he was headed towards the creek." James replied. I frowned. Surely it wouldn't take that long to bathe. I grabbed a bowl of stew and devoured it hungrily. By the time I was finished, there was still no Syd, if that was even her real name.
"Robin." I said softly, approaching our leader. "I think Syd might be in trouble." Robin looked up from the floor.
"Why do you think that?" He asked. I shook my head.
"He left over an hour ago and still hasn't come back. After what we just did, I'm a little worried." I replied. He nodded.
"All right." He said, getting up. "Alan, James, we're going to Nottingham." He said. I smiled. This was just like old times.
Nottingham Castle Dungeons
I woke in the same cell that I had started the adventure in. I pushed myself up from where I was laying.
"Great. Just great." I said, looking around. The view was the same as the last time I had visited, except this time Robin and his men weren't coming for me. Then my cell door opened.
"Come on, the Sheriff wishes to see you." The jailer hissed. I stood slowly, my head still aching. He jerked me through the door and placed manacles over my wrists.
"Just in case you decide to try anything." He sneered. I grinned.
"Don't worry, I'd hate to miss my chance to meet with the Sheriff." I replied sarcastically. Apparently, he didn't understand sarcasm, since he gave me a strange look.
"Come on." He said gruffly, then practically dragged up two flights of stairs and around three left turns, and four rights, before shoving me through giant double doors. Inside, the Sheriff was seated on a chair that looked suspiciously like a throne, while a man dressed solely in black was at his side.
"Hm, rather small specimen, isn't he Philip?" The Sheriff said, stroking his chin. The man in black inclined his head.
"Indeed." He replied. I jutted my chin out.
"I am in the room." I stated. The sheriff stood.
"Yes you are. And I'm sure you're wondering why." He replied. I shrugged.
"I suppose it's to bribe or threaten me to give up Robin." I replied, relishing the look of shock on the Sheriff's face.
"H-he's supposed to be dead!" The sheriff all but yelled, striding towards me and drawing a small knife to hold to my throat.
"You'd best tell me where he is." He threatened. I grinned.
"Good luck getting it out of a dead body." I hissed. He drew closer, then gave a look of surprise.
"Y-you're a-"
"Yes! I'm a woman! Why does everyone seem so surprised about this?" I said. The sheriff chuckled and withdrew his knife.
"My, but you're a feisty one. I can see why Robin keeps you around." He sneered.
"Why do I keep him around?" A voice called out from behind me. I turned around and grinned. Robin, Alan, James, and Gil all stood there, their bows pointed at the various guards. I turned back to the sheriff, who was standing with his mouth open. Philip stepped forward, half drawing his sword.
"My lord, we could beat them." He said in a husky voice. The sheriff held up a hand.
"Wait. You are not Robin of Locksley." He said. Robin smiled.
"Nope." He said, then shot an arrow just past the sheriff's ear and was reloaded as quickly as he shot.
"But I'm as good of a shot as he was." Robin said cheekily. I jogged over to them and Gil handed me a key.
"Here. Unlock yourself." He said. I quickly did so and the five of us turned and ran for the exit, the yells of the sheriff following us out.
"Well, that was good fun, wasn't it?" Robin said as we walked through the forest back to camp. I rolled my eyes.
"Oh sure. I was just threatened, hit in the head, and thrown in the dungeon. Great fun." I said. He laughed.
"Sure, but you didn't die." Alan chipped in.
"That is a plus." James gave his two cents. I shook my head.
"That's the silver lining. I didn't die." I gave an exaggerated sigh. "I don't know why I put up with this." We walked in silence for awhile, then Robin spoke up.
"What did the sheriff mean when he said he knows why I keep you around?" He asked. I glanced at Gil, who was intently studying the forest floor. I sighed.
"Remember when I asked how you felt about a woman joining the gang?" I asked hesitantly. Robin nodded.
"Sure." He replied.
"Well, I kind of had a specific reason." I said, still trying to get up the nerve to tell him.
"Syd's a girl!" Gil blurted out. I closed my eyes while Robin and the rest laughed.
"Gil, you've finally lost it." Robin said, still chuckling. I opened my eyes, but stared up at the trees.
"He's telling the truth." I said quietly. Robin stopped walking.
"He's what?"
"I am a girl." I said, looking him in the eye now. He seemed shell shocked for a moment, then he grinned.
"Wow, you really had me for a minute there." He said, then kept walking. I growled and got in front of him, then put my hands on his shoulders.
"I. Am. A. Woman. I'd show you the proof, but I'd really rather not." I said calmly. His eyes went wide and his mouth was agape.
"Y-you tricked us!" He managed. I took my hands off his shoulders and held up one finger.
"No, you assumed I was a man and I didn't correct you. There is a difference." I said, "Besides, Gil knew." Robin turned to Gil, who was still staring at the ground.
"Why didn't you tell me?" He asked. Gil shrugged.
"I didn't really get the chance." He replied. Then Alan let out a chuckle. James followed with a cough, and soon all of the men were laughing. I stared at them. Men were such idiots. They had been mad at me a moment ago, and now they were laughing. I rolled my eyes and started walking back to camp. They quickly caught up, still chuckling.
"Why are you disguised as a boy?" Robin asked. I shrugged.
"It's easier and safer to travel that way." I replied. He nodded.
"All right Syd. Wait, that is your name, right?" He asked, his brow wrinkled. I nodded.
"Yeah. My full name is Sydney, but everyone calls me Syd." I replied.
"All right Syd, welcome to the gang. Again." He added with a grin. I punched his shoulder.
"Gosh, thanks."