Chapter 3: Arson

It took a lot of effort for Robin to lift the sack over his head and slap it down on the flames. They had been fighting the fire for what seemed like hours, but to no avail. They were being slowly pushed back towards the village as the flames encroached on the forest.

Looking to his left he saw Cassie, John and some of the villagers looking as exhausted as he was. Everyone was filthy, streaked with dirt from the fire, and choking on the incessant fumes. Robin was not one to give up easily, but their efforts seemed hopeless.

Cassie's arms screamed in anguish as she lifted her sack, agony shooting up her forearms as she slammed it down against a patch of flame. A child appeared at her side and she wordlessly threw the sack behind her, taking the fresh, damp sack from the child.

Suddenly, she felt something splash on her nose. She looked up wearily, barely daring to think the thought that crossed her mind. As she tilted her face to the sky another drop fell onto her cheek, cleansing a line through the smoky dirt. It was raining.

She started to laugh, hearing the emotion slowly echoed around the village as everyone realised what was happening. It was the kind of laughter that quickly bubbles in hysterical happiness, utter relief mingling with disbelief that they had been so lucky.

As the rain began to pound down, dousing the flames and cooling the exhausted, sweaty villagers, many of the villagers began dancing in the rain, hugging one another in joy. Much ran up and grabbed Cassie's hands, spinning her around, before hurrying off to pull Robin into a hug.

Her laughter at Much's exuberance faded as a wave of fatigue washed over her. She sat on the ground as her legs gave way beneath her, resting her head on her knees. She was almost asleep when she felt gentle hands on her shoulders and warmth breath on her cheek.

"Wake up, wildcat," Allan's voice sounded near her ear.

"I think it's time to go home," the deeper, gruff voice of Little John said from higher above her.

Cassie felt herself being hauled to her feet but could barely even muster the energy to open her eyes. She knew Allan had hold of her, half carrying her back to the camp, but was too tired to shy away from him or even begin to process any thoughts about that unexpected kiss.

It seemed like an age before the outlaws reached the camp, but as soon as they did they staggered inside and without speaking collapsed into their bunks.

XX

Cassie opened her eyes blearily as she woke up, confused by the fact that her nose was pressed against something hard. She twisted her head slightly, then jumped as she realised that her pillow was moving. Sitting up hurriedly she was partly horrified and partly thrilled that she had somehow fallen asleep in a heap upon Allan's chest.

Seeing that the rest of the outlaws were still sleeping she decided the best course of action would be to carefully disentangle herself from him so no-one was aware of their sleeping arrangements.

She managed to climb over him without waking him up, although he did let out a slight grunt and shift his position. She set about making the fire and had a steady flame going in the fire pit by the time Much woke up and took over preparations for breakfast.

Before long the whole gang was awake and tucking into the food Much had provided them with.

"What do you think started it?" Cassie asked abruptly as she chewed thoughtfully on a piece of bread.

"Started what?" Much asked.

"The fire," she replied impatiently. "A forest fire doesn't just spring up out of thin air."

"It was just an accident," Much shrugged.

"What, you think a plant spontaneously combusted? Don't be stupid," she scoffed.

Much looked offended. "I'm not being stupid, there's just no logical explanation. It just happened."

"Fire doesn't just happen!" Cassie stood up, put down her plate, and reached for her sword.

"Where are you going?" Robin asked.

"To Nettlestone," she replied. "I want to have a look at the forest, where the fire started."

"Take someone with you," he ordered.

"I'll go." Allan volunteered himself hopefully, but Cassie looked at John, as if she hadn't heard him.

"Will you come with me, John?"

The tall man looked at Allan, whose eyes betrayed his hurt, then stood up and picked up his staff. "Of course."

The two outlaws left the camp and walked towards Nettlestone in silence, John not daring to mention what had just transpired between the girl and Allan. Arriving at the village they skirted the edge of it, before disappearing back into the trees. The forest was in a sad state; the trees that were still standing were blackened skeletons, whilst the floor was a litter of charcoal.

"What exactly are we looking for?" John asked as he poked through some charred leaves with the end of his staff.

"I'm not sure," Cassie replied, scuffing at the burned ground with the toe of her boot. "There's just something not right." She walked further into the trees, examining the floor, until she gave a triumphant yelp. "John! Come here!"

As the tall outlaw hastened to her side she lifted something from the forest floor, wiping it clean with the hem of her shirt.

"What's that?" John asked.

"I don't know," she replied, rubbing at the object which seemed to be made of glass.

"I've seen that before!" John announced suddenly, taking it from her hands. "Djaq had one of these, if you angle the sunlight through it you can make fire."

The two looked at each other as the meaning of his words sank in. "Someone must have done this on purpose!" Cassie realised. "Used the glass to start the fire. I don't like to think that anyone would purposely set fire to the forest, but it seems the only explanation." She took the glass from John's hands. "Is that Djaq's?" she asked.

"No," John replied. "Hers is still in the camp; she left it behind when we went to the Holy Land."

"This doesn't make any sense," Cassie said. "If someone had a treasure like this, why would they leave it behind?"

John shrugged. "I think we need to go and tell the others what we've found. If there's someone running around setting fire to the forest, then we're in trouble."

Author's Note: Oh noes! There's an arsonist on the loose!

In other news, guess who's back next chapter? Eee Will time!!

Thanks for the reviews, they make me so happy!