Chapter Six

Tristan raised his weapon and his lip twitched as he concentrated on the target they were practising on. He released the tail end of the arrow and it flew a straight course to land with a thump in the bark of the tree. A cheer rose from his spectators.

"That was great!" Will stood up and clapped the boy on the back, "Better than I could ever do anyway."

"Yeah," Allan nodded, "Cos Will cannot use a bow to save his life."

"Oi," Will yelped.

"Well at least he can ride a horse," Djaq quipped, "Unlike someone I know."

"Ah, but I…I," Allan could do not think of a come back. His usual quick wit deserting him, "Can do something you can't, I just can't think of it right now."

"That was poor, Allan," Johnny laughed.

"Hey, you try and come up with something that that woman can't do!" Allan retorted, flushing red.

"How about grow a beard?" Will suggested.

"Or have a p…." Johnny began.

"Ah, ah stop right there," Much intervened quickly, "I really think you should stop this competing thing."

"Oh, is that cos you're not good at anything?" Allan smirked.

"No," Much said indignantly, "I'll have you know there are lots of things I'm good at like..."

"Eating," Djaq interrupted.

"Yes," Much sighed, "And…"

"Whining," Allan butted in.

"No," Much glared at him, "But also…"

"Talking too much," Will joined, grinning.

"Ok, I really think you should stop mocking Much. It's not good for his self confidence," Robin came into the conversation after discussing bow techniques with Tristan, "Besides, you forgot being a pain in the backside."

"Hey, you lot are ganging up on me!" Much sulked, bottom lip stuck out.

"I'm not," Tristan defended himself.

"Yeah, that's because you haven't known him as long as us," Will told him.

"Oh."

"How about we get some sleep?" Robin asked his rather tired looking outlaws.

"Yes," Tristan yawned. He slipped down by a tree trunk and shoved a balled up pile of clothes behind his head for a pillow, "Night."

"Yeah, I'm suddenly feeling tired," Will blinked as sleep threatened to take over. He, with John, Johnny, Much and Robin lay down to get some rest.

"We'll keep watch cos we slept earlier," Allan said and sat down on a log by the crackling fire with Djaq.

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