Robin's heart began pounding wildly, just as it did every time he unexpectantly caught sight of Marian.
Kate, too, was excited. Clutching Robin's biceps even tighter, she began jumping up and down and squealing, "We're saved! We're saved! We're saved!"
"Shh!" Robin warned her, annoyed lest her squealing bring the guards. But no guards came. The Nightwatchman had punched them all temporarily senseless.
Robin watched in amazement, as Marian used a lock pick to open their cell.
"Thank you," he breathed, gazing lovingly at her. "You wouldn't be carrying anything on you to undo my bonds, by any chance?"
Without a word, the Nightwatchman reached into her boot and pulled forth a knife.
"You're well trained," Robin grinned, smugly, after she cut through his bonds. "So, you were listening, all those years ago."
Already furious at finding Robin seemingly embracing Kate, Marian's eyes flashed fire behind her mask. How dare he try to take credit for her thinking ahead? Did his arrogance know no limits? Well, she'd done her part. He and his scraggly blond bride were free. They could show themselves out.
All the same, she grew angrier still when he tried to do just that. "Get behind me," Robin told both women, leading the way up the stairs. "Better let me have that knife."
In answer, Marian plunged it back into her boot, then, glaring daggers at him, pushed her way to the front.
Kate watched, confused, as Robin and the Nightwatchman skirmished for the lead, pushing against each other. "Get behind me," Robin ordered, for the second time. "I've done this before, you know."
But the Nightwatchman wasn't about to yield. Marian felt she'd earned the right to lead, and she resented Robin trying to take over now. She longed to give him a piece of her mind, but couldn't speak a word, lest Kate learn her identity. Never had she despised the girl as much as she did at this moment.
Robin's leg wound, coupled with his good and generous nature, made him yield the position of leader first. "Very well," he grinned, his heart overflowing, amused by her stubbornness. "You go first."
His gallant gesture infuriated her further. It was as if he were saying, "Ladies first." All the same, Marian took the lead.
Robin was determined to stay right at her heels. Though unarmed, he was prepared to protect her from any danger, forgetting she had single-handedly slugged her way in. He also forgot about Kate.
Climbing the dungeon steps, Robin was amazed and impressed by the number of unconscious guards in their path. "What happened?" he whispered in Marian's ear. "One look at you, and they passed out, from your beauty?"
He meant it to be charming, but Marian wasn't buying. How could he joke at a time like this? And how dare he belittle her skill as a warrior, as if she wasn't good for anything but to stand around and look beautiful? He had some nerve! Her anger sparked and flamed within her breast.
Kate was following Robin just as closely as he was following Marian. The three moved almost as one, climbing stairs while they stepped their way over fallen guards.
Nearly having reached the way out of the dungeon, Kate couldn't resist spitting in the face of a guard. Before any of them knew what was happening, the guard revived and sliced through the air with his sword, catching one side of Marian's thigh.
With a furious grunt, Robin kicked him in his gut, sending the man tumbling down the steps.
"Are you alright?" Robin asked Marian, his heart stopping at the sight of a red-stained gash on her trousers.
A curt nod of her head told him the wound was merely a scratch. Still, he hated that she had been threatened and hurt. Trying to lighten the mood, Robin teased, "I'll show you my wound, if you show me yours."
It was the wrong thing to say. Marian shot him a glare so fierce, he felt he'd be safer facing the armed guard again. Enjoying her anger, he broke into a delighted snicker, which only made her more angry, if that was possible.
A surprise met them at the very top of the steps, in the form of Robin's amazed gang.
"This is a rescue!" Much happily announced. Then, spying the Nightwatchman, he blurted out, "Oh! Hello, Mar-"
"SHH!" Robin ordered, indicating Kate with his eyes.
"Sorry!" Much apologized. "What's she doing here? Kate...I mean. Not, you know, the Night-"
"Much!" Robin warned again.
"I'll shut up," his friend realized, chagrined, though delighted the rescue was going so smoothly.
Robin knew they were wasting time, but he wanted to thank Marian one more time, before parting company. But when he looked for her, he discovered she had already gone. His heart sank.
There was nothing to do but take Kate with them, back to their make-shift camp, and let Djaq tend his wound, then pay another late-night call to Knighton, to thank his deliverer, and ask her to clear Kate's name. Then, first thing tomorrow, he'd deal with Allan and Little John, for their prank against Kate. Already, he was certain mushrooms figured into it.
"Well met, my friends," Robin grinned. "Come on, lads. Let's go home."