1 | master of arms [gisborne]

Twenty-one

The outlaws—minus Tuck—walked into Locksley village. They were all carrying bags, the citizens eyeing them suspiciously.

"Shouldn't we be looking for Tuck?" asked Much uncomfortably.

Allan scrunched up his nose and made a face. "I don't trust that monk," he clarified.

"He can look after himself," said Robin strictly. "We've important work here."

Just as they passed Kate's mother working in a field, her youngest daughter tugged her shoulder and pointed to the outlaws. Kate's mother stopped what she was doing at went to the outlaws.

"What are you doing here?" she questioned, and they stopped in their tracks.

Robin shrugged. "I just wanted to make sure you're provided for." It wasn't a lie, at least. Robin handed her the bag. Sadly, she let it drop.

"I can't accept it," she said with regret. "And nor will anyone else."

"After all we've done for you people?" said Allan with a hint of disgust. Kate arrived next to her mother. "All we've sacrificed, and this is how you treat us, is it?"

"What about what I've sacrificed?" countered Kate's mother. "What we're all sacrificing every day while you and the Sheriff play out your little war games."

"We can't take the risk, Robin," said Kate in a nicer tone of voice. "Not now the church has branded you a heretic."

"Oh, come on," said Allan with a look. "You don't buy all that mumbo jumbo, do you?"

"The abbot of Kirklees is a great man," defended Kate's mother. "He wouldn't lie."

"Rebecca, the Sheriff is using the abbot to frighten you," Robin tried to explain.

"Well, it worked," Kate retorted.

"Well, then let us protect you." Robin's voice was getting higher.

"Protect us?" Rebecca said in a whispery tone. "Where was your protection when my boy needed it?"

Robin stayed silent for a few moments. "Your boy died for honor and truth," he said as gently as he could. He shook his head lightly. "Don't let that all go for nothing."

"Robin," intervened Kate, "even you can't take on the church and win. And even with Linda's help, it's impossible."

Before another comment could be said, John came sprinting back. Robin looked to his friend, but he found that John had a frightened and worried expression on his face.

"Robin. Sheriff's men. Linda is leading them," he said frantically.

"You can't be seen here," said Kate. "Quick, come on, get inside."

Thankfully, the outlaws followed Kate and Rebecca. Much stopped and turned around. Picking up the bag of vegetables that Rebecca refused to take, Much ran back inside the house.
John was absolutely right; Linda was leading seven guards on horseback into Locksley. The guards rode around paths, obviously searching for the outlaws. They were all surprised when they saw that Vaisey did not accompany her, but then John realized that someone else was with the guards and her:

Tuck.

His hands were bound and he was practically being dragged by a guard on horseback. In order to keep up and not slide on the dirt, he was forced to run.
"Robin," John whispered to him as he hid out of sight from the window. Straining to take a peek, Robin looked out and sighed. "It's Tuck," John whispered to the others.

Linda looked back at Tuck, a pained expression on her face. Taking a deep breath, she spoke as confidently as she could.

"This..." she started, "is one of Hood's men. Last night, he broke into the abbey."