1 | master of arms [gisborne]

Seven

Vaisey and Jasper both walked out of the castle. Vaisey had a look of slight excitement on his face, while Jasper just looked amused. Both looks vanished when Guy walked up the stairs, now fully dressed in his proper leather attire, the fire not fully gone from his eyes.

"Ah, Gisborne. No sign of Hood's body I take it. Ah, no Linda either?" said Jasper, making Guy snarl in disgust. "You know, your future... your lives are hanging by a thread." Jasper looked to the both of them, smirking slightly. "I'll be back from Lincoln tomorrow to collect the Prince's money and view the body. Make sure both are ready," he said menacingly.

Walking down the steps, Guy scowled at the envoy and walked to the Sheriff's side. With a breath, he leaned back on the castle wall, glancing at the Sheriff.

"So melodramatic," said Vaisey in annoyance with a roll of his eyes. He frowned and waited for Jasper to leave.

The envoy was about enter the chariot, but stopped. "Oh, a thought on the spondulicks," he said, whipping around real fast to face them. "Hood was an outlaw. All outlaws had a stash. Robin Hood is now dead... apparently. Linda is somewhere... apparently." After a slight pause, he said, "I want my cut, man." Then he whipped around again and went inside the chariot, where it took him away.

Guy rolled his eyes, and clenched his fists. The mention of her name coming from his mouth made Guy want to knock his teeth down his throat.

"I'm loathe to say it, Gisborne," said Vaisey, interrupting Guy's train of thought, "but for once that preening ninny, he might be onto something."

*****

The sound of Robin's cough pulled Linda's attention away from tending his now fully dried and warmed up clothes. Sighing, she walked over to him.

"Hi," she whispered.

Robin shook his head to regain his eyesight. Looking around him, he saw that he was tied up against a rock. Giving a smug look to Linda, she cocked her head to Tuck, who was filling up a bowl with broth.

"The smell of my broth wake you, did it?" he said with a tiny smirk.

Nodding, Robin put an annoyed smirk on his face. "You knocked me out," he noted.

"Yeah, and it was all his idea," said Linda.

Tuck chuckled with amusement. Filling up the bowl completely now, Tuck walked to Robin's side, causing Linda to leave again and go behind Tuck.

"Here," said Tuck to Robin. "Come on. Drink this."

Dipping the spoon in the bowl, he spoon-fed Robin. He took a sip, but then spit it out on the other side. Tuck watched in shock, while Linda just shook her head.

"Robin Hood, you no-brained ninny," she muttered.

"You want to starve? Fine, starve," said Tuck.

"You best untie me," said Robin.

"Right. Not happening. Sorry," said Linda.

"I don't appreciate being trussed up here like a pig!"

"It's for your own good," said Tuck.

"And ours, too," added Linda.

"Now drink this!" commanded Tuck. "Come on!" After a small silence, Robin obeyed.

"Why are you doing this?" he asked. "The both of you?"

Tuck stirred the broth. "You know, years ago, when I left this country, the people of this nation were proud, strong, full of spirit," he started, and Linda settled down to listen. "Now I come back to see their backs broken, their hope shattered.