Robin Hood | Thief of Skandia

Chapter 2 (Nice Try)

Song: IDGAF by Dua Lipa

Her boots trudged through the mud as she made her way down the dark street, a now light rainfall pattering against the top of her hood. With the time being close to the early hours of morning, the alleys are abandoned, especially considering the fact that she now walked in the quieter areas of the town.

Where the stars had shone like sugar spilt over black marble, glistening in the moonlight, mere hours before. The night sky was such a welcome sight, appearing like magic at each sunset, promising to return as she faded in dawn's first light. Dawn was peeking over the Gallic dwellings, neither the moon nor sun daring to make an appearance.

'Ah, the smell of fresh horse manure and unbathed men.' She muttered to herself, adding a skip to her step as she whistled an old Skandian tune.

Darkness cloaked the sky, the sun yet to rise, creating the perfect time for her departure. She almost always left during the night, as no one sees her. If she were to walk around during daylight, she'd receive an endless amount of requests in riches and offers to join in on her raiding adventures. She worked alone, after the death of her closest friend, little Jon she had disbanded her crew of 'merry men'. She learned from experience.

One time, a pot bellied fellow threatened to 'ave a rope around her neck' if she didn't bring him back a hefty amount of treasures. briefly she wondered if he missed his front teeth.

Apparently she wasn't the only one who liked to leave early. She spotted the young knight, Horace who she had conversed with earlier in the night. She assumed the ranger was some where nearby. She also noticed that two men had crossed the street, glaring daggers at her. The men came closer and Robin could now make out the sleazy grins spread across their unshaven faces.

'Well would you look at this' Tweedle dee jeered, crossing his thick hairy arms. 'Miss Robin Hood.'

Robin stopped in her tracks and gave them a slight mockery bow, before continuing ahead.

'If you're here for any last minute riches, I'm afraid you're out of luck.' She remarked nearing the entrance to the stables. Noticing a large tree with branches dangling out.

Before she can enter, the two men step in her way, their broad chests blocking her path.

'And why would we want stolen scraps, when your head alone is worth a thousand gold in most countries.' Tweedle dumb remarked with a wheezy snicker.

'One thousand?' She hollered furrowing her eyebrows. The men grinned revealing their rotting teeth as they slowly step forward. 'That's embarrassing. I thought it'd be ten thousand at least.'

The hog headed men snarl at her statement, one reached for his machete, which she noticed had been lodged in his belt. 'Time to shut the hatch.' One growled. 'Grab the thieving bitch before she makes a run for it.'

Robin snorted as they launched themselves forward, simply stepping to the side and out of their way.

'Clearly you don't know me very well, because Robin Hood never makes a run for it.' She retorted, cracking a branch off the tree, despite having easily accessible weapons at her hips. Waving it around experimentally, Robin Hood was very grand. Swinging the wood she hit Tweedle dee hard across his thick head, knocking the man unconscious. Tweedle dumb lifted up his wide blade, but Robin dislodged it from grip with one swipe of the heavy branch, and brought her next swing with much force, against his skull. 

'And I definitely don't shut my hatch.' She proclaimed with an easy going smirk. Dropping the branch at the base of the tree and picking up the machete to hide, so that the men would have a harder time threatening and hurting innocent people.

Walking into the stables she noticed the ranger had his bow drawn, the end of an arrow touching his cheek, ready to shoot the men in case. Horace had his sword half drawn.

She smiled her thanks at them, and mocked a two fingered salute. 

'Nice one.' Horace chuffed.

'Why thank you.' She went to tighten the girth on her horse prepping it for her next adventure.

'It's been nice meeting you gentlemen. I hope we meet again, and I hope you find who your looking for.'

'How di..' Horace started.

'You have another horse that looks remarkably like a Temujian horse, or a rangers horse.'

'You have an expansive knowledge.' Halt observed.

Robin shrugged, quickly eying her horse, checking it for any sores or wounds under the saddle area. She then placed the blanket over her horse's back, sliding it back, double checking its eveness. Robin proceeded to saddle the animal, folding the girth over the top, leaving it attached on the right-hand side. Standing on the left-hand side, she threw the saddle over her horse's back, nestling it in behind the horse's shoulder-blades. She fastened the girth securely, waiting for her horse to breath out. Dropping her stirrups she moved to bridal her horse.

Dropping the reigns over the saddle, Hood tied her pack to the horse, slipping a quiver over her shoulder, and a bow around her other shoulder, checking her weapons that were holstered at her hips. Before leading her horse into the more open section of the stable. 

'See you around.' Mounting her horse, she waved them goodbye, before nudging her horse slowly to a canter.