Ironclaw: A Pirate in Nottingham

Chapter 2: The Stranger at Nottingham

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  I still needed a place to go. I remembered, placing my map on the ground. I’ve got to pick a
town or a city or something. Shutting my eyes, and drawing my knife, I stuck the blade on a
random location, and opened my eyes. Nottingham. Of all places I could have picked, I had
to have picked Nottingham. I then thought in dismay of what could happen to me, should I e
discovered. I had heard all kinds of stories about the place. Is that really the place I want to
be hiding? I thought to myself. I’ll have no choice. Nottingham it is. I thought, making for
Nottingham. I’ll need to be careful not to let my real identity show through. I thought as I
soon came to the entrance of the village. One thing Robin Hood couldn’t hide about me was
the heavy, hobbled way I moved as I walked. Maybe it wouldn’t cause any trouble. I thought
lazily. “Oh,” I said softly as I came up to the entrance. “Yes, this place would be perfect.” I
thought aloud. Hey, if I’m going to be here, then I should at least meet the townspeople,
right? I can’t just show up and say “Hey, I live here now.” that wouldn’t be right. And I have
to make a good first impression.
“Hello, stranger.” rang a voice, making me jump a bit. Good, good. I thought to myself.
That’s excellent! Get scared! That’s not a Captain Ironclaw thing to do. That’s perfect.
“H­hello.” I gulped, turning to see a large badger in a brown sort of church garment. “I’ve
never seen you around before,” He said. “You must be new here.” he observed, going to
shake my hand. “Uh, yes, I am.” I replied, shaking his hand. “I’m uh,” I said, trying to think of
a reason as to why I was there. “Just moving in?” questioned the badger. “Yes, exactly.” I
replied with a smile. “Well, welcome to Nottingham.” he smiled. “I’m Friar Tuck,” he
introduced. “What’s your name, son?” Now, I was so accustomed to introducing myself as
“Captain Ironclaw, terror of the high seas!” that I had to think and remember my new name.
“My name is...Orville. Orville Gray.” I replied with a nod, hoping that the Friar wouldn’t be
suspicious of me already. “You’re a quiet one, aren’t ya?” he asked with a smile. “Yes,” I
nodded. “Well, Orville. Welcome once again, I hope you like it here.” He said, preparing to
leave. “Oh, and one thing I should warn you about,” he added in a whisper. “What is it?” I
replied in a similar whisper. Friar Tuck glanced around as if checking for somebody. “Be careful of the Sheriff.” he whispered. “What?” I asked. “What about the Sheriff?” I asked
quietly. “He’s not too friendly. Actually, not very much at all. He comes around on a daily
basis and collects taxes from us. Some of us can’t even afford to pay such high taxes.” He
whispered. I tried to hide the giddy excitement I felt. Pillaging and plundering were favorite
activities of mine that I did with my crew. As a pirate, I do have a soft spot for treasure in
any case. Particularly shiny things like gold. “Oh, that’s awful.” I replied with a shocked
whisper. “I have to go now,” replied the Friar in a normal voice. “See you, Orville. Enjoy
your stay in Nottingham.” he smiled as he went on his way. I waved, and went to find a
place that I could stay, when I heard the heavy, metal thump. “Oh, no..” I whispered, looking
down at my bare feet, and at my iron limb. “Blast it!” I whispered fiercely. “I had forgotten
about my leg.” I grumbled, hoping that no one had noticed, and slipped on a pair of dark red
boots to conceal my iron leg. That, at least, muffled the sound of my trademark iron leg
thumping on the ground as I walked. I looked around, thankfully seeing no witnesses, and
started for the inn, pleased with myself for catching that little flaw in my disguise. After all,
albino wolf with an obvious cast iron leg? Now that could have landed me in trouble had
anyone noticed.
I opened the door of the inn, and entered. “Hello,” I said. “I’d like to rent a room.” The
innkeeper looked up from his chair, and huffed. “Who’re you?” he asked. “Orville Gray, I’m
new here, and I need a room, uh, sir.” I replied. “Welcome to Nottingham,” He replied, a
little dry. “Let me see if I can find you a room.” He said, soon looking up as another wolf
came in. “Oh, no..” he muttered. “Good morning, Sheriff.” he sighed, as if he had a bad
experience with this other wolf. “And a good mornin’ to you, too.” replied the Sheriff in a
thick southern accent. I looked at this ‘Honorable Sheriff of Nottingham.’ He was a very
large one, particularly around the waist, with gray fur, dressed in a dark red tunic with
purple and magenta sleeves. “I’ll betcha ya’ll know why I’m here today,” He grinned. “I
know, I know..” grumbled the old owl. “Taxes. As usual.” he sighed, getting a bag of gold.
“Right you are,” replied the Sheriff. “ ‘Scuse me, sonny.” he said, walking around me.
“Yeah,” I said, moving. “Thank you kindly,” smiled the Sheriff, taking the bag from the
elderly owl. He had prepared to leave, when he turned to me. “Now, I don’t reckon seein’
you around before.” He said. “Uh, I’m new.” I replied, which was true enough for me. “Well,
all newcomers must pay a little bonus in their taxes,” He smirked.”Pardon?” I asked, not quite understanding. "A little extra in the taxes for you,  sonny. " explained the elderly owl.  "You heard 'im,  Silverfur,  hand over the money. " insisted the Sheriff, holding out his paw. "Cough it up. " he said,  obviously expecting me to whip out a bag of coins or something. "Beg your pardon?" I said,  trying to remain in character. This is the Sheriff! I can't let myself slip up even a little bit. "What, do I have to explain it to you?" he growled, getting impatient with me. "I-I'm  sorry, I just moved here and I don't know how things work yet. "  I said in protest. "What's your name, son?" huffed the Sheriff as he glared down at me. "Orville. Orville Gray, sir." I replied.  "Well,  Orville, " he huffed,  crossing his arms. "I'll give ya until sundown to gimme that newcomers pay. " he snarled as he turned to leave. Hmph! I thought. So that's the Sheriff?  Friar Tuck was right. He's not very nice. No, not at all.