Part 24
They ran across the fields into the woods for cover, Marian finding the necessity to stop several times to shoot at arrow in the direction of an odd soldier before he reached them. Once under the canopy of the bare trees, they slowed their pace, Aubrey was beginning to tire and Marian didn't like to admit she was too.
Despite that she insisted they continue, until Aubrey declared that he could step no further. Looking round for somewhere suitable to camouflage the trio Marian eventually set them between two large trees which were partially joined at the foot of the trunk, pulled some evergreen shrubbery over them and told the party of men to stay put and silent, she would return for them.
She moved quietly, listening for any sounds not common to the woods, the ground was hard underfoot, the air cold, the sky when she peered up, grey between the nude branches of the trees, perhaps heralding snow; she hoped not. After walking for a mile or so she heard voices. She trod more carefully, took her bow, and arrow in case she had to defend her life and not for the first time today. Marian glanced back at the sky, it was darkening, a clear sign that the shortest day would be upon them in a week or so's time and still moved forward, her curiosity getting the better of her fear.
Marian stopped when she had a good vantage point of the vagrants seated around a pathetic fire below her, however to be fair perhaps they were just trying to get it lit. It seemed an unlikely place to rest a while, but she guessed the party had some reason for it. Pulling her bow and arrow into place to fire she said it a heavily disguised Yorkshire accent.
"I am armed, stand up, surrender or I will shoot."
She smiled when one by one they did, all with their backs to her, her accent was obviously better than she gave herself credit for. The tall thin man turned though and then shook his head at her. "Marian, what are you doing?"
"You should be more careful," she admonished Robin. "If I can creep up on you and you do not realise. Who else could surprise and overwhelm you all?"
"Come down from there," he added, she stood on a ledge perhaps six foot above the camp.
"I can not. Alistair, Aubrey and Walter are but a mile from here, hiding in the recess of two trees."
"What happened?" asked Robin collecting his weapons and climbing up to meet her.
"I will tell you on the way," she replied. "It will be fully dark soon. I do not think Aubrey will take well to travelling at night."
"He might have to," Robin replied wryly. Turning he added. "John, come with us."
"What about the rest of us?" asked Much looking hurt.
"I thought you were going to catch something for supper." Robin stated.
"Djaq was going to catch the rabbit; I was going to cook it."
"Well be doing that whilst we are gone," Robin told him and followed Marian and Little John through the trees to the Earl, his son and manservant.
The group of outlaws with the addition of Alistair, Aubrey and Walter sat round a much better fire eating the rabbit that Djaq had finally caught and Much had cooked. Robin and the gang had had a lengthy description of events from the Earl of Markwick as they ate, with additions by Walter and Aubrey. Marian had been quiet, having told Robin a much shorter version on the way to collect the two men and boy.
"So Master," said Much, licking his fingers, to make sure he had ate every last morsel. "What is the plan?"