Ironclaw: A Pirate in Nottingham

Chapter 3: Collecting the Toll

  Argh...I thought to myself. I had only just gotten here, and already someone is giving me trouble. Why, if I didn't need this disguise, I'd gut that fat Sheriff where he stood. But I can't afford to expose myself like that. "Oh, boy." grumbled the old owl as he slumped into his chair. "You're in for it now, sonny boy." he said sympathetically to me. "How?" I asked, absentmindedly twitching my ear with annoyance. "You didn't pay the newcomer's fee. Now he'll really let you have it." he said, shaking his head in dismay. Ah, let him! I thought as my Ironclaw self. I'll take him as easily as one, two, and three! "What do I do?" I said, coming off as a little fearful. "Well, unless you can get a couple hundred gold coins by sundown, I suggest you kiss your tail goodbye." Joined an older dog with a cast. "Morning, Otto." greeted the elderly owl. "Mornin'. Sheriff come by yet?" asked Otto as he hobbled inside to take a seat on the chair.

"Yes, he's been here already, and now our new friend, Orville here is in deep trouble." sighed the owl. "Orville?" questioned Otto, turning to me. I waved in response. "Oh, 'ello." he said. "I'm Otto, the blacksmith." he greeted. "Orville, uh, just moving in." I said with an awkward smile. "Sheriff givin' you trouble?" he asked, hobbling over. "I can't pay the newcomer's fee."I explained. "Well, that'll do it." He nodded, leaning on his crutch. "The Sheriff doesn't like it when taxes are postponed. Actually, he'll make you pay more than what was originally asked for." explained Otto. "And that's just if he's in a good mood." he huffed as he sat back down with a groan. "How can I get the money to pay him?" I asked, out of curiosity. "Well, Prince John has issued a reward for the capture of a certain swashbuckling pirate," joined Friar Tuck.

"Hello, Friar." I said. "Orville," he smiled. "Morning, Friar Tuck." nodded Otto. "Morning." he replied. "What swashbuckling pirate?" I asked. "Oh, don't you know?" gasped the owl. "Prince John has offered a heavy reward for the capture of Captain Ironclaw." explained Friar Tuck. "900 pounds." he added. "900 pounds? For the capture of Captain Ironclaw?" I asked, wanting to make sure I was hearing correctly. "Yes, dead or alive." nodded Otto. "But..." I started, thinking of something to say. "She's a big, scary pirate." I gulped, shaking a bit. "But that reward will be enough to convince some poor blockhead to look for her." joined the owl. "Hey, wait a minute!" exclaimed Friar Tuck. "What?" I asked. "You could find her, and use the reward to pay the newcomer's fee." he said. Sure, let me just turn myself in. No problem.. I thought snidely. "How can I even hope to get her?" I asked hopelessly. "Go to the castle. Prince John doesn't care who captures her, just so long as she's captured." encouraged Friar Tuck, sending me on my way.

I proceeded to walk down the streets of Nottingham on my way to the castle to pay visit to Prince John. Now remember, Sybil, old girl..you're here as Orville Gray. Not Sybil Ironclaw. I reminded myself as I soon approached the castle gates. "Who goes there?" Called a guard. "Uh, Orville Gray." I introduced. "What is your business here, Orville?" he snarled, scowling down at me. "I uh, seek audience with the Prince. I hear he needs someone to go after Ironclaw." I stammered. "Yer here about the reward?" he huffed. "Yes," I nodded. The guard exchanged looks with his fellow soldiers. "Right this way," He said in a gruff voice. I nodded, and followed him through the courtyard.

"What's this?" snarled Prince John as we came into the room. "Your highness, this is Orville Gray, and he is here about the reward." bowed the guard. "Ah, you're here to capture that pirate!" beamed the Prince, shaking my hand. "How wonderful!" He cried out. "Orville?" Came a familiar voice. I turned around, and saw the Sheriff standing at the door. "What are you doing here?" I asked. "Seeing about takin' up that Ironclaw mission, Silverfur." he said, coming in. "What are you doin' here?" he retorted. "Same as you," I replied, careful not to expose myself. "Ah, how droll!" exclaimed the Prince. "Ssire, pleasse.." sighed the snake at the Prince's feet.

"Oh, nonsense, you silly serpent." Prince John smiled. " A partnership to capture that wretched pirate!" he said with a grin. "What?" asked the Sheriff and I in unison. "You two are now going to capture Ironclaw as partners, or I shall have you both thrown in the dungeon." snarled the Prince. "But sire, he didn't pay his newcomer fee." protested the Sheriff. "And I don't know this guy." I added. "Silence!" growled Prince John, getting impatient with the Sheriff and me. "You two are going to be partners and capture Ironclaw whether you want to or not." he snarled. "Well, young man," he said turning to me. "I appoint you as the Sheriff's deputy." he commended. The Sheriff wagged his mouth in protest. "But.." I tried. "No buts! Now be gone!" ordered the Prince as he sent me and the Sheriff on our way.

"Well, now ya done it." Grumbled the Sheriff as we walked down the street. "Everything was alright until you showed up and made what could have been a simple little visit into an awkward quest thing." I retorted. "Now you listen here, silverfur." growled the Sheriff. "I'm the sheriff here, and now the boss o' ya. So like it or not, y'all gotta show me some respect." he huffed. "Whatever," I muttered under my breath. "What's that?" asked the Sheriff. "Nothing," I replied quickly. "Uh, how do we intend to catch Ironclaw anyway?" I asked, trying to focus on the mission. "I could get 'im no problem." replied the Sheriff. "Her." I coughed. "What's that?" questioned the Sheriff. "Captain Ironclaw is a woman." I said. "What makes you so sure?" questioned the Sheriff. "I've seen her," I replied. "She's terrible." I shuddered. "I ain't afraid o' her." said the Sheriff as we came to the main entrance to Nottingham.

"And we're off?" I asked. "You bet, silverfur." replied the Sheriff as we headed out into the forest. "So, what's our plan?" I asked. "We look for her in Sherwood. That's a favorite spot among outlaws." explained the Sheriff. "Also, I have a name. It's Orville." I grumbled to myself. "Keep up, Silverfur." called the Sheriff, who was a little ahead of me. "Yeah," I huffed, picking up the pace, my hobble more apparent as I quickened. "What's with that hobble?" asked the Sheriff. "Ya hurt or somethin'?" he asked as I caught up to him. "No, I'm alright. Just uh, bad leg." I replied, thinking of a reason to be hobbling. "What happened?" He asked. "A, um, " I said, thinking for a minute. "Accident when I was younger. Haven't been walking right since." I explained.