Loving a Thief

Chapter 5

Author's note: Sorry the chapter took so long. I didn't know where to stop! ;) I hope you enjoy it. Please remember to vote and comment!

Chapter Five

I got up earlier than usual that morning. I put on Cooper’s clothes and made a mask out of cloth to wear. I put on my old, dirty boots. I snuck into the weapon supply room and took a sword, a bow and arrows, and a dagger from the back. Then I snuck out of the castle. I walked quietly along the wall, trying not to attract the guards attention. I got to the loose rock in the wall. It wouldn’t budge. I started to worry. There was no other way to get out without being seen. I took my dagger and stuck it between the rocks. It loosened. I moved it to the side and started to squeeze through. Once I got on the other side of the wall, I ran to the forest. I know these woods better than anyone I know. I started to walk to the road. Once I got to a good spot, I climbed a tall tree to wait in. This way I can ambush the tax collector from above. He would take a while to come. I decided to take a nap.

I woke up to the sound of a wagon and horses. ‘I guess it’s time. Lord, if this is the plan you have for me, please help me to be fast, quiet, and careful,’ I prayed. I took an arrow and strung it on the bow. I aimed in front of the horses. ‘Whiz’ went the arrow as it left the bow. It landed right in front of the horses. ‘Yes!’ The horses whinnied and stopped. I loaded another arrow. The tax collector was surprised. “Who’s there?” he asked.

“Get off of the wagon,” I demanded. He got off slowly. “Now drop your weapons on the ground.” He lifted a dagger off of his belt and tossed it.

“You know I’m the law here. I’ll report you to the king myself,” he said.

“Go ahead. He’ll arrest you himself if he found out you lost his money. Now, take the money out of the wagon and put it on the ground,” I replied.

“And if I don’t?” he asked. I let go of my arrow right in front him to answer. Of course I wouldn’t actually kill him though. He went to the back of the wagon and started putting the sacks on the ground. “Why don’t you come out of that tree and we can settle this man to man?” he said.

“Because the view is so beautiful up here. I can’t get enough of it,” I said. He chuckled.

“Might I ask what you are going to do with this money?”

“That’s for me to know and for you to find out,” I replied. “Now get back in your wagon and leave. Let me remind you that it might not be a good idea for you, sir, to tell the king about your misfortune. He got back in his wagon and drove off.

Once I was sure he was far enough away, I took some rope and tied to one of my arrows. I shot the arrow into one of the bags. I started to pull the bag up the tree. I did not want to have any footprints on the rode. It was a lot heavier than it looked. After I had all the bags I climbed down the tree and headed towards town. I walked as lightly as possible, trying not to leave footprints. Thankfully the ground was covered in pine needles to also cushion the sound. I walked for 3 miles before I got to town. Everyone looked so sad and hungry. I walked to the town square with my hat over my eyes so nobody would recognize me, or think I was a thief since I was wearing a mask. I set the bags down next to me. That immediately brought attention to me. I heard people starting to murmur until it got so loud I could barely hear myself think. I could only make out a couple of words the people were saying like, “Who is that man?” “Is he new here?” “Where did he get all that money?” “Is it Robin Hood?” and “Why won’t he show his face?” I rang the bell in the middle of the courtyard that was used to make announcements with. Everyone was suddenly silent.

“This is your money. Distribute it evenly and amongst yourselves,” I told them. People started cheering and running towards the bags of money. I quickly got out of their way. I would’ve been trampled if I hadn’t moved as fast as I did. One man walked up to me and asked, “Who are you and how did you get this money?”