Blossom in Full Bloom (Book 4: The Pink Blossom Series)

For Better or For Worse

"Robin!" The people called out in anguish after seeing me stroll into town. "We knew you would come."

"What's going on?" I asked, worried to hear what could possibly have them so worked up.

"Your Merry Man has been tried for your transgressions against the crown. He is facing the noose, under the pretenses that he is Robin Hood!"

No! Kenshi!

"It gets worse."

How could it be worse? No, no, no!

"His village has been burned to the ground, a lot of people died."

"How could they?!" I yelled in anger, imagining all the people that helped me.

"They had affiliations with the man, believed to be Robin Hood!"

No! Why do people always have to suffer, because of me?! I felt the tears well up.

Sora! I need to find him... If there is any way to save Kenshi, Sora will know what to do.

"I need your help!" I nearly begged.

"What can we do?"

"I need you to start some midnight chatter for me. I need it to reach a man named Sora. I think he can find me on his own. Be discrete! The nobles will catch on, if you are too hasty."

"Very well. Anything for you, Robin Hood!"

I turned my horse and headed to Kenshi's village.

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When I got there, all I saw was a burned down mess. Why did this have to happen?! They were good people! I got off my horse and fell to my knees in anguish.

"It's Robin." I heard a voice emerging from the treeline. It was very quiet, but I heard it.

The survivors came out to greet me.

"How many did we lose?" I asked bluntly, jumping back from my own despair.

"A great many..."

"It's time to get your people out of here." I pulled out a pouch that contained the ring and gems that I held onto, from my royal heist. I handed it to them. "Take this. It will get you a ship. I want you to take the rest of your people to Clarines."

"What can we hope to gain there?"

"I know their royalty, personally. They will offer you passage and you will be treated justly." I wish Kenshi had accepted my proposal in the first place.

"Thank you. But we will not leave without the chief."

"I hoped you wouldn't." It was a relief to me that they still supported their chief fully.

"I don't know how long you have been away for, but you should know..."

"Know what?"

"Prince Kotau has made an alliance with the far northern kingdom, on the other side of Tanbarun."

"He will stop at nothing to get his hands on the materials, Tanbarun is hiding. Can't say I am that surprised about Kotau. Why would they agree to it? They have always been loyal to Tanbarun and Clarines."

"All I know is he married their princess a week ago..."

He's married?! That means... I can go home! I can finally go home!

My sudden good attitude stunned the people. "I don't see how that's a good thing!"

"It isn't... sorry..." I couldn't expect them to understand. They didn't even know who I was, especially in this disguise. The talk of the pink haired princess was scattered throughout the kingdoms and everyone knew she was dead. So they would have no clue. I wondered how they would even react to learning my true identity... Miko! Get back to reality! There are more important things to worry about, right now! "We need to focus on getting Kenshi away from the gallows."