Chapter 9

Robin

His weight fell on me completely as Lizzie drove my dagger into his back, I felt my eyes widen in disbelief but as he lay limp and unmoving I knew he was dead. Shoving him off me I stood up, eying him warily but his pale blue eyes stayed open and unseeing. No doubt about it. He was gone.

A strangled gasp made me look at Lizzie, she was swaying where she stood, tears streaming down her pale face, bruises were beginning to form everywhere I could see and the cut above her breasts stood out sharply against her pallor. I ran to her and supported her just as she was about to fall, she was so light in my arms...her beautiful eyes were unfocused. Brushing her hair from her clammy forehead I sat down, supporting her gently on my lap,

"Lizzie, are you okay? Lizzie? Elizabeth!" I shook her lightly, it would be dangerous for her to fall asleep. Her response was to open her eyes and attempt a smile, searching for my hand with hers, I placed my hand in hers and smiled reassuringly in an effort to keep the worry out of my eyes. She brought her head to rest with her forehead against my shoulder and then she went limp, I shook her but she was out cold. She looked peaceful though and her breathing was better than it had been when she was awake so I let her lie, humming an old folk song my mother had sung to me – She's Like The Swallow.

I don't know how long we sat like that but after a while the door began to rattle and I heard the latch being unlocked impatiently, I sat upright and readied myself for escape if necessary but Gisbourne walked through the door alone and shut it quickly behind him. His frantic gaze went from the man lying sprawled across the floor to me and then to his sister lying still in my arms and he runs to Lizzie, looking relieved when he see's she is breathing.

"She's alright." I told him, "Badly bruised and frightened and he gave her a nasty cut but she's going to be alright." He nodded, head down. Gathering himself Gisbourne shot a wary glance at the dead man,

"By your hand?" he asked looking at me.

"No. Hers." I said shortly. If he was going to criticize Lizzie for defending herself then...was he looking...proud? Yes, no doubt about it. I supposed that was a good thing. I followed his example and looked at Lizzie, lying there so still and peaceful she looked like she couldn't hurt a fly...she was slender and beautiful in a fragile way but years of anger and pain had made her strong. Getting to my feet I lay her gently across the window seat and stepped back, she stirred and Gisbourne took her hand as she opened her eyes.

"Guy? Oh Guy! Robert! He – I -"
"Hush Liz it's fine. Shh." Gisbourne continued to soothe her until the creases in her forehead smoothed and she lay back, wincing. Neither of them noticed as I slipped out of the door.

Quickly I walked down the corridor, pulling my hood over my head as I ran down the steps and out of the castle. A carriage caught my eye, it was branded with the same crest I'd seen on Roberts sleeve as we were fighting. Two surly looking men sat in the front looking bored and miserable, those must be his servants. Staying in the shadows I sidled over to the carriage and looked in the window – heaps and heaps of money bags! It must have been money in exchange for Lizzie...well he wouldn't be needing it now...I pressed my back to the wall and thought. My planning was interrupted by someone hissing my name from a covered wagon, I moved closer and saw Will and Alan, hoods covering most of their faces. Guessing that the others were under the sheet I smiled – this made everything a lot easier.

"Just in time lads, now move alongside that carriage and distract those men!" I whispered, pointing out the carriage. Will nodded and did as I'd said – one of the good things about Will; he didn't question. Alan greeted the servants and looked around shiftily

"One of you fine gents wouldn't happen to know where the nearest...um brothel is, would you?" He asked and immediately they became more animated,

"Well actually me lad we were wondering that ourselves, we were..." and they launched into an enthusiastic discussion. Perfect. Stealthily I began unloading the money from the carriage into the wagon until it was all in then I walked around the carriage in a wide circle, gesturing to Will to get going and he leaned in

"Well nice talking to you. Best be off."

"See you round lads!" they received cheery waves.

Will swung the wagon round and I jumped up to sit between Alan and Will as we headed out of the gates.

"Nice one boys."

"Robin what happened?" Alan muttered.

"Later." Yes. It could wait for later – right now I was tired.