A/N: Here's the next chapter – enjoy!
I don't own Robin Hood
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A short time later they entered the clearing where Gisborne had been testing his armour, from different directions. Daniel stated the obvious with wonder,
"They've gone,"
They looked for clues but it was his sharp young eyes that spotted something. It was a tag that mimicked those that Robin's gang wore.
"It's Mark's. See – the 'M'?"
Robin took it from Daniel to have a closer look.
"That's good," he remarked in encouragement.
"We play outlaws – "
Will and Ava heard only part of the conversation as they passed to the other end of the clearing to look for any tracks. They scanned the ground closely until Ava spotted something and called softly to Will,
"Here,"
He looked at the ground she was pointing at,
"It's a wagon,"
He clapped her lightly on the shoulder and turned back to tell Robin while she began to follow the tracks. The others soon caught up and they were all well on their way to Locksley.
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They reached the village and crouched low behind a hut to survey the scene. It was at its sleepy best. Robin left to find a look out spot, promising to send them a signal. They did not have long to wait, soon after wards an arrow thudded into the wood by Much's hand, a twist of fabric attached, Robin's signal. Will tore it from the wood,
"There goes the back door plan,"
John took control, eager to secure the boys' safety.
"Come on, we move."
Much grumbled only slightly as they moved closer.
"Every time."
Ava sent him a look but couldn't help sympathising; the back door plan never seemed to work.
Will and John went to break the boys out and the others were left waiting. All were tense but Much was the only one who voiced his feelings, seeming to be unable not to.
"I don't like waiting, especially behind a cow. It's not good for my constitution,"
His voice grew higher and his words came out faster and faster.
"Much! Shushh!"
It was Daniel who silenced him, sounding exactly like Robin, and the others exchanged grins.
Suddenly Will arrived with two boys in tow.
"Where's Mark? You left Mark!"
Daniel sounded panicked and a little accusatory.
"He's alright. We need you – now!"
Will spoke in haste and the others drew there weapons to follow him.
"You lot – stay here."
It was Much's order, Ava turned and made sure they hid themselves further.
"In, go in."
There was no more than a second to spare for them.
As they rushed into the hut where the boys had been imprisoned, ready to fight, they were brought to a sudden stop by the sight of half a dozen guards lying unconscious on the floor with the Sheriff among them. Robin appeared, hitting the last guard round the head with a carved wooden box, before bringing them back to a sense of their surroundings with a shout.
"This way!"
As they left the Sheriff staggered back to his feet, Will punched him hard in the jaw which sent him reeling again and Ava sent a swift kick to the back of his knee to cause him to fall.
They made the safety of the outskirts of the village before they stopped to breathe.
"Is everyone ok?"
They nodded in response to Robin's question, except for Mark who looked around and exclaimed,
"No, wait! Where's Daniel?"
A disturbance was caused as the Sheriff and Gisborne strode out, Gisborne keeping a firm hold on Daniel's collar. He raised his voice,
"People of Locksley! Let Robin Hood know this! We want our box and its contents back by morning or his little friend will be punished. His little friend will die."
His speech over, Gisborne dragged Daniel back again leaving the outlaws grim faced.
"Robin, we get the boy now."
John was determined.
"No, we stop and we think, John."
"We've got to give him what he wants."
Mark just wanted his friend back; he had no thought for strategy. Djaq however had been looking at a piece of armour she'd stolen.
"Robin, take a look at this metal. It is Damascus Steel, or something like it. A man wearing this would be invincible. Western weapons would be useless against this."
Much looked appalled and Ava sighed, the situation seemed to be getting worse.
"We can't let the Sheriff make this stuff."
Will spoke all their thoughts.
"That's why I took the stones!" Robin sounded exasperated.
"You can't give them back, Robin" Ava couldn't stop herself from speaking.
"I know. But we can't let the boy die."
"What can we do?" Allan sounded despairing.
Robin's only idea meant involving Marian, something he wished he could avoid.
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A/N: boring exposition chapter I know, next will be better I promise! Please review.