Deception

Chapter 23

"ESME!" I heard a shout as I got up from my seat and made it to the door to see Much riding to me, fright in his eyes as I gulped scared. I had been waiting for hours for any signs of either Robin or even Guy. I held onto the edge of my dress as I ran to meet him.

"Robin is going to kill Gisborne!" He told me terrified as he helped me onto the horse behind him, as I held onto his shoulders as he took us deep into Sherwood Forest. We found the camp, and noticed that neither Robin nor Guy were there. I was terrified for Guy and I didn't like the feeling. We ran to the top of the rise as I saw an unconscious Guy and Robin panting on his hands and knees. As Robin looked up at me I shook my head at him in disbelief.

Much had to carry Guy back up to the camp, as we was still unconscious and tied him to a tree, with several loops of rope around his torso. He is also gagged and blindfolded. Much sits near Guy, guarding him and holding the hilt of his sword, point down. Nearly out of earshot, Robin lounges against the tree, holding the water flask in his lap. I stand in front of him, trying to reason with him. We make an effort to keep our voices down, knowing Gisborne must not hear me.

"What are you doing? You’re a killer now?" I hissed at him as he glared up at me. I had never seen such anger or frustration from Robin it frightened me to be honest.

"When I have to be."

"Grow up!" I snapped wishing I could slap him back into reality, but I knew that would only anger him even more.

"Gisborne made his choice. Everything is a choice. Everything we do. You told me that." Robin spat using my past words against me as I frowned. What had Guy done to make Robin this mad with him?

"What choice?" I asked him eagerly. Robin stared off for a moment he seemed reluctant to tell me, as I saw a sudden sense of pain flash before his eyes. He was remembering, I knew that look I have experienced it far too much.

"In the Holy Land, Saracens came to kill the King. But it wasn’t Saracens. It was him." Robin explained as he sets the flask on the ground beside him.

"Rubbish!" I snapped. This is stupid Guy was here. Nor would he try to kill our own King.

"He stabbed me and left me for dead. And then he went to kill the King in his bed…."

"I don’t believe you. This is about—" I began before he glared and interrupted.

"What?"

"You and me." I whispered as Robin leans his head back against the tree, rolling his eyes. "I want you to know I didn’t realise he was going to announce the marriage."

"Well, you didn’t seem uncomfortable." He growled as I sucked in a breath. There is a moment of silence as I glared at him. "I have proof... his arm. I wounded him. His tattoo."

"What tattoo? And I was uncomfortable." I snapped at him agitated.

"He has a tattoo on his arm." He defended before he pursed his lips, I knew something was coming and I knew I wouldn’t like what he was going to say.