1 | master of arms [gisborne]

Twenty-seven

In Sherwood Forest, the outlaws had Edmund tied up to a tree. A rag was in his mouth to keep him from talking.

"I know this man," paced John. He went to Edmund and took the rag out from his mouth. "What is your family name?"

"I'm not telling you," Edmund said defiantly with a shake of his head.

"You fool!" John was about to knock Edmund out, but Tuck was able to restrain him.

"Back off, big man. Back off," said Tuck, and John returned to pacing. "Of course you're not going to tell us. After all, you've got to be loyal to your father. He's such a lovely man. It's touching, really." Tuck turned to walk away.

"He's a good man," Edmud defended. "He's the way he is because he had to be. He never had any choice."

Robin came to the scene. "So where will he take them, this good man?" he asked the boy.

"Even if I knew, I wouldn't tell you," said Edmund bravely.

"Even if you did, we wouldn't believe you," commented Robin right back. He sighed. "Well, he's staying at Locksley, so we'll start there. Tuck, you stay with this boy. See if you can get anything useful out of him. But don't hurt him. Unless you have to." Robin left to Locksley.

Tuck turned to Edmund and growled. Looking him up and down, he said, "This will be fun."

*****

Linda strode through the halls of Nottingham, a grin on her face. In her hand she held a letter that she was going to deliver. The receiver? Guy of Gisborne, of course. She was looking for the messenger, but she heard laughter coming from the money room. With a frown, she crept over silently. Leaning against the wall near the door, she listened.

"You did well," said Rufus's voice. "Convincing the Sheriff to part with his troops."

"Oh, thank you. Yes. Yes." It was Scrope. The stuttering fool was a traitor! "Well, he wasn't sure at first, but I told him. I said, 'Sheriff,' I said, 'you need the money.' And he listened. He listened to me!"

"To you," said Rufus with a chuckle. "Good work. You keep me smiling, and that sweet wife of yours won't be touched."

Ah, that made sense. Linda growled quietly and kept listening.

"Yes," stuttered Scrope. "Um... but he Sheriff -- um, w-won't he work it out?"

"Probably," answered Rufus, and Linda heard the tying of a rope.

"What -- uh... oh, you want him to work it out?" questioned Scrope.

"Sharp, aren't you, Scrope? Nothing gets past you. You see, I want him to come looking for me," explained Rufus. "And I want you to help him to put the pieces together."

"Oh. Actually, I-I-I'd rather come with you, let him work it out himself," said Scrope, stumbling over his words.

"Sorry," said Rufus. "You're no use to me if you tag along."

"Oh."

"Play your part well, Scrope," advised Rufus. "Think of your wife."

Linda heard footsteps come her way. Carefully, she slunk back. The door opened, hiding her. Rufus stepped out, looking left, then looking right. Then he made his way down the ball. Once he was gone, Linda went to the stables. She found the messenger and handed him the letter.

"Get this to London, and deliver it to Sir Guy of Gisborne. Don't stop. Be fast," she ordered as she saddled the big black horse.

"Yes, milady. But where are you off to?" asked the messenger.