Sherwood Rogue

Chapter Nine

The river flowed cheerfully over the cobbles of the ford, and the sun shone on the small clearing where the road entered the water. The warm breeze toyed with the grass and the branches of the trees. On the near side of the river, a blanket with a half-eaten picnic lunch lay spread beneath a shivering willow. A raven in the distance called to her mate perched on a branch above the meal.

Two men, one clinging to the other's back, were mid-stream, crossing the ford—Robin Hood and a man in brown breeches, a green tunic belted around his ample middle.

Robin struggled to carry the very large man across the river, loudly swearing at the slippery stones in the water. From where Will and I watched, crouched amid the bushes just downstream from the ford, I choked, nearly laughing aloud.

"What's going on?" Will asked, trying to get a look at the other man's face.

"Well, I suspect that our Robin opened his mouth too far," I said. "Look over there. It appears this gentleman was eating his lunch beneath the willow tree. It does look like a lovely place to have a picnic. I would imagine Robin asked the gentleman to carry him across the river." The situation was by no means this clear, but I had a slight advantage.

"Then why is Robin carrying him back?" Will was perplexed, though he smiled at the sight. The large man and his unlikely mount had almost reached the near bank.

"He's a big fellow. I'd wager he persuaded Robin to offer."

When the man clambered down off Robin's back, Will recognized the friar. "Tuck!" He turned to me. "How'd you know?" I shrugged, but Will insisted. "No. Tell me. How did you know Tuck would be at the ford?"

"I'll tell you later. Watch."

Robin managed to slip the friar's sword free from its sheath, liberating it as he let him down to the ground. Now he turned his own sword on Tuck. Words were spoken, though with Robin's back to us, we couldn't hear him over the babbling of the water. Tuck shrugged, holding out his hand. I was surprised to see Robin return his sword. Then Tuck turned his back to Robin, who clambered up.

They began to cross the river once again.

Midway across, Tuck launched Robin off his back, throwing him into the water. The friar took out his own sword and smote Robin's buttocks with the flat of it as he struggled in the water.

His face flushed, Scarlet started to get up, but I held him back.

"You know Tuck won't harm him."

We watched Robin try to regain his footing in the river, his arms flailing to ward off Tuck's blows. It was easy to see Tuck was playing with him, and it was such a comical sight, we were soon holding our sides, trying not to burst out laughing. We didn't want to embarrass Robin, but it was so rare to see him beaten, we couldn't help it.

After several moments, Robin regained his footing and began to fight back, but was still taking a beating.

Before too long, Tuck had knocked Robin into the water again.

He came up sputtering and empty-handed, having dropped his sword.

"I'm afraid you have me at a disadvantage," I heard him say. He pushed his dripping hair from his eyes, watching Tuck carefully. "If you would give me leave to blow upon this horn at my waist, I would yield myself to your mercy."

Tuck nodded. I thought I saw a smile on his lips, but I wasn't sure at this distance. "Do what you will, and I will, as well."

Robin took up his hunting horn, tugging hard at the wet leather to free it from his belt. He shook the water from it, then blew.