1 | master of arms [gisborne]

Thirteen

Short installment :)

*****

Guy woke up to a little noise come from the bed. Opening his eyes, he smiled softly when he found that Linda was talking in her sleep. He looked to the window and found that the sun was peeking out. It was morning, and that meant that Vaisey was probably already up, and now it was expected from Guy to supply Finn with troops. 

Groaning to himself, he gently tore away from Linda, letting her head rest on the pillows. When she didn't move, he left the room. 

By the time he reached the stables, Vasiey and Finn were already there. There was no Tiernan, but it didn't surprise him. Besides, it wasn't like he wanted to see him. Vasiey stopped talking and turned when he heard Guy's rather large footsteps. 

"Gisborne," he said. "I take it you know what you need to do?"

"He should, we told him yesterday. Though, the girl objected to it, obviously unaware of the plans you and I have made, Sheriff," said Finn darkly with a smirk, causing Guy to growl. "You will go to Locksley and collect my troops," he commanded, turning his attention to Guy. "Make sure that all goes well, Gisborne. You are being accompanied with guards to help you. Can you mange?"

Gritting his teeth, Guy nodded. "You shall have your men," he muttered. 

"Good. If you'll excuse me, the Sheriff and I have business to discuss." Finn walked off, Vaisey right behind him.

Sneering at Finn's backside, Guy got his horse ready, along with lots of other guards, too. He swung on, and the guards followed his motion. Then he left Nottingham, setting off for Locksley.

*****

As soon as Guy arrived, all hell broke loose. 

As ordered, the guards rounded up all the men—boys eighteen and up—and put them in a line for inspection, chaining them first, and then started to brand them. Guy rode around on his horse, watching as the chaos commenced right before his eyes. Boys were trying to escape their fate, mothers clung onto their sons, and fathers and men struggled but failed.

"I want the men lined up and ready to go!" shouted Guy as another peasant got branded. A guard brought a man to him, and Guy frowned. "Too old. He'll meet his maker soon enough."

Guy trotted his horse around, his eyes scanning the line. This better be what Finn wants, he thought. Then his eyes wandered around Locksley, and he saw something... or rather someone. 

A girl. 

She was about five feet, with blonde hair and blue eyes. Her face seemed serious and bold, too bold actually. Her purple dressed swayed as she tried to casually make her way to a wagon. Suspicion ran through him, and he called five guards to accompany him as he walked toward the girl. When he arrived, the girl was talking. When she finished, she put down the sheet and fixed the wagon up. 

"In a hurry?" said Guy, making the girl jump. 

Turning around, she said, "Delivery for the market in Nottingham. I'm late."

Guy gave her a look that said that he wasn't convinced. "Search," he said to two guards. 

The guards advanced, and the girl stepped back. "No, no! There's nothing in there! There's nothing in there!" she shouted, fighting against the guard's grips. 

Too late. 

The guards lifted up the sheet and one of the guard gasped. "Look!" he exclaimed. A boy with ginger hair and freckles was inside the wagon, fear written all over his face. The guards dragged him out, but the boy fought out of their hold. He tried to punch Guy, but he easily grabbed his wrist.