Wren of Sherwood

4 - The Forest Knows my Name

I blinked as I held a small throwing knife up, aimed and ready to release. A second knife was embedded into the wall a few feet behind Torin. Blood started to seep out of a shallow cut on his neck.

What... how? Did I...?

Everyone in the room turned to look at me. Robin's face was an odd mixture of pride and ashen fear as Torin touched his neck.

He pulled his hand away, studying the crimson blood that coated his fingertips. He slowly brought his fingers to his mouth, his eyes resting on me as he licked the blood off. He blinked, and a wild light entered his eyes, like a predator preparing for a game of cat and mouse.

"The kitten does have claws, it seems. Perhaps I should buy you instead. With the right training, you might be deadly enough to be worth the trouble."

Robin began to stand, but Marian yanked him back into his seat.

"I believe Wren has proven herself," Much said, folding his hands in front of him and doing his best to look diplomatic. "Will you agree to our deal?"

Torin grinned widely, his gaze still resting on me, freezing me to the spot. "I accept your terms."

"Excellent," Much said, pushing a packet of papers and a pen to Torin. "Do you know who you will be sending?"

Torin signed the papers, gripping the pen like it was a dagger he could kill me with. "Yes, I believe he will do nicely for you."

Robin nodded stiffly. "It was a pleasure working with you and your band. If that is all, I suggest we convene for dinner."

The group at the table stood, and Torin spun on his heels and marched to the door. As he grasped the door handle, he turned to look back at me, then at Robin.

"You keep him until I call him back," he commanded.

Robin tilted his head forward in a slight nod. "Of course."

Torin swung the door open and stalked out of the room, the other Underground rebels and Sammy close behind him.

I sank to the floor as Little John slipped inside the room, closing the door behind him. My daggers fell from my shaking hands, and my head pounded as all my strength leaked out of me.

That was awful.

Robin rubbed his forehead as he rested his hands on the table, hanging his head. "He just gave us a problem child, didn't he?"

Marian laughed, wrapping an arm around her husband. "Probably."

Problem child? Keep him until he's called back?

My head shot up as the conversation clicked in my mind. "We traded members with Underground?"

Robin sighed, then straightened, stretching. "More like rented a member of the Underground."

"You need a partner, Wren," Marian said, yawning. "Someone competent enough to keep you out of trouble."

"I do not need another babysitter!" I stood, sheathing my daggers. "I can handle myself! And why didn't you tell me sooner? Why the Underground of all rebel groups?"

"No one else offered," Robin said, his voice harsh as he glared down at me. "You will get along with your new partner. You will train with them well and give it your all. And you will do it without complaining."

I shook with anger, tears pricking my eyes. I blinked them away and opened my mouth to speak. The words wouldn't form.

How dare he order me around like a little child! I'm not ten anymore, not a child like when we first came to Sherwood. I can take care of myself!

"You are relieved of your spying duties until you and your partner can work together," Robin said, his voice and eyes softening. "Half-day regular duty. I expect you to use the other half of the day training with your partner."

I nodded slowly, the anger leaking out of me like a balloon.

"Why don't you go back home and get some rest," Marian said. "You had a long day, Wren. We'll be back late, sorry."

I nodded and turned, making my way out of the meeting hall. I could sense Will following me, though he kept his distance.

Another babysitter. Robin can't even trust me to get home by myself, I suppose.

The smell of bonfires greeted me when I stepped outside. They had lit fired in the three large firepits across from the cafeteria. People gathered around them and chatted. Some danced around the farthest one. I could just barely hear the soft melody of our resident musician Alan-A-Dale's lute.

A love song, I think. Maybe a tragedy?

I shook my head and headed into the dimly lit heart of the village. I wound my way through the mazes of houses, climbing up the steps of mine when I finally reached it.

I turned to see if Will was still following me. He was.

I rolled my eyes and entered the house, closing the door firmly behind me.

***

I blinked, the bright moonlight dazzling in the dark forest. I was back on the strange path, but not where I had been last time. The dark blue flowering vines still wrapped around the trees of Sherwood, and glowing green crystals still jutted out of the earth and the trees. But the fey's flute was louder and clearer, like the fey playing it was just up ahead. I wasn't at the beginning of the path anymore, I was in the middle, the path stretching on behind me and in front of me.

The woman approached, her moss green skin, long pointed ears, green-blue eyes, and dazzling white hair the same as before. She wore a different dress, a gown made of thousands of tiny blue and pink flower petals. She also wore jewelry made out of smooth stones, like the ones found in the bottoms of rivers. But her feet were still bare, stone anklets their only adornment.

"Who are you?" I asked, my voice hushed by the immense power the woman radiated. "Are you a fey?"

The woman laughed. "I am Sherwood."

I blinked. "What?"

"I was once fay," the woman explained, standing so close to me I could touch her. "Now I am the forest. And I have chosen you to be something very dear to me."

My breath caught in my throat as I stiffened. Fey were unpredictable and dangerous beings. And one so powerful...

The fey smiled, a gentle and serene expression. "I have chosen you, sweetest of birdsongs, to be my daughter."