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Part 11

The gang prepared to secure the part of the camp they were leaving behind safely concealed in the far recess of the inner cave. Robin and John went to Knighton to speak to Tuck for some final information that Thornton had told them he had. Will and Marian headed into Nottingham for supplies. By the clearing they raised their hooded cloaks over their heads and parted ways to gain entrance separately. Half an hour later they were both inside the city walls buying what they required. Will had to dodge a dozen or so guards before he left the city, while Marian sailed through unnoticed, or so she thought.

The man in black followed her through the forest; it wasn't long before she felt the hairs on the back of her neck prickle with unease. Marian turned but saw nothing, the feeling continued with her for the next few minutes and she looked round again, this time to see the menacing form of Gisborne on his horse leering in her direction.

"Marian," he said with contempt. "I thought it was you I saw in Nottingham."

"Why should I not be there?" she replied. "I was obtaining some provisions."

He climbed down from the horse and tethered it to a tree then he held out his gloved hand, when she didn't pass the contents of her sack he snatched it from her, empting the bread rolls and dried foods. He threw the sack on the floor and she bent to retrieve the contents but his boot pushed her in the chest and she lost her balance, falling back onto the path.

"What have we here?"

"Food. I need to eat."

"I suppose you do. Who are you with?"

"I am alone, surely you can see that."

"Perhaps," he commented looking past the bare branches but seeing nothing which resembled Robin Hood or another of his gang.

"What do you want with me?" she asked him, standing and brushing the dry leaves off her cloak.

"I wanted to marry you," he croaked. "But that was a long time ago, you seem to make a habit of not marrying the man you are betrothed to."

"I do, but then it seems the man lets me down, when I thought I trusted him."

He glared at her with vehemence. "You should be mine."

"Ah, but I am an outlaw now, it does not seem possible. I am sure there is a price on my head"

"A hefty one," he assured her, with a glimmer of amusement.

"To consort with an outlaw is a crime; perhaps the Sheriff will hang you too."

"I am not consorting with you. I am doing my duty and will bring you in to hang."

"Again?" she asked, "It did not work last time, what makes you so sure it will this?"

"I can't see Robin Hood running through the trees to your rescue," he replied, smugly. "In fact we are very much alone. Where are you headed?"

"I do not think that is your business."

He roughly grabbed her arm and she shook him off as he said, "I make it my business especially when I come into contact with a notorious outlaw, who seems to be fending for herself."

"I am fending for myself. I do not need men to look after me as many women do?"

"No? But it would be useful would it not to have a man provide for you?"

"Perhaps, but I am not in a position for that to be possible."

"I am rather surprised that you are still in Nottingham, haven't you some cousin you could have lived with?"

"I could not leave people who depended on me."

"The Nightwatchman, you think that by being the Nightwatchman you can save every poor soul in Nottingham?"

"No. I help who I can, when I can and as I see fit."

"Well you won't be helping anyone anymore, you're coming with me."

She gasped as he grabbed her and began to fight him off; he had forgotten that the Nightwatchman could fight and well. She dodged and blocked despite having no weapon. Thinking of weapons he remembered the dagger he had used before and wondered then where he had stabbed her. She seemed to be out manoeuvring him when he fished it out again, but this time she caught the glint of the steel and still dodged away, knowing that she would be leaving her provisions behind in her flight to escape him. They continued in their battle and eventually she got the upper hand and kneed him hard in the groin but not before the dagger sliced her flesh once more.

As she made her bid for freedom she couldn't help but hear him shout in a pained manner after her, "I will get you, whatever the cost you will be mine to do with as I see fit."