Two for Treason

Chapter 35 - Brothers & Sisters

Guy was happy to be on the North Road leading out of Sherwood Forest. The ride to Sunderland would normally take 8 days, give or take; Guy wanted to get there sooner, but was not going to take as punishing a ride as he had from London.

The sun was peeking through the branches, mottling the ground. He had his face turned up to the sky when he heard a branch crack to his left. He looked, scouring the forest, but could see nothing. When he looked ahead he found Robin Hood in his path.

Guy gave Robin a look of annoyance, sighed and said, "Robin. Fancy meeting you here."

"Gisborne!" Robin gave him a mocking bow. "Where are you off to on this fine day?"

Guy swung his right leg over his horse's neck and jumped down. Robin fixed his bow with an arrow.

"Relax, little forest dweller. I'm not going to harm you."

"Harm me. Harm me? You?" Robin threw back his head and laughed.

Guy scowled, but did not move. "Where is your little gang? Are you out all on your own?" he grimaced. "That could be dangerous for you."

Suddenly, Robin was screaming and hurtling toward Guy. He attacked so swiftly he knocked Guy off balance and the 2 sprawled to the ground.

"Dammit! Stop Robin!" Guy shouted.

Robin would have none of it and kneeled beside Guy, his fist ready. Guy saw the fist come at him in slow motion, he was not fast enough to move and felt the blow against his cheek. He shook his head, trying to see straight again. 'Damn, for a little guy he is strong,' he thought. He scrambled to his feet and rushed at Robin. He propelled him backward into a tree with a grunt.

"I don't want to fight you," Guy was gasping, blocking Robin's blows with his forearm.

Robin swung under, getting Guy in the ribs, "I don't care what you want, you bastard! I am going to have my revenge." He pulled his sword from his scabbard and threatened Guy with it.

Guy sunk into a fighting stance, but still did not pull his sword. "Robin. Please stop. Prince John is dead. Archer is going to kill Vaisey." Robin jabbed at Guy, who jumped out of the way. "I don't want to hurt you."

"Too late!" Robin cried. "Too late!" He lunged forward and nicked Guy's shoulder.

"Ah!" Guy covered his wound with his right hand. "Stop!" At that moment he sank to the ground in a faint. Robin looked at Guy sprawled on the forest floor and then sank down beside him.

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Guy awoke to a fire crackling nearby. He groaned, rubbed a hand across his face and tried to sit up. He immediately fell over again.

"Be still," a gravelly voice to his left intoned. "You will be unbalanced for a few minutes."

He lay on the ground, listening intently. He heard someone else groan and, once again, the gravelly voice gave direction to be still.

After a few moments he slowly rose to a sitting position. He found himself in a clearing at the top of a steep cliff. A small fire crackled cheerily. He got to his knees and crawled to the fire, rubbing his hands together for warmth. He recognized his fellow groaner as Robin and noticed a man sitting nearby, nearly completely camouflaged in a dark brown cloak.

"Who are you?" he said angrily. "Who sent you? Vaisey?"

Robin made his way to the fire. "What do you want with us?"

"I want to clear the bad blood that has risen between you both." The man was grave and struggled for breath. "There is much you do not understand."