A Diamond Among Men

Chapter 10: Fire Crackling

After a couple of days in planning, the rebels rose early in the morning to stage their attack. 

Many were concerned about attacking in the day, as that was when they were most likely to see them. 

But that was the point. 

Robin was loading his quiver with fresh arrows when Snow crouched beside him. They were hiding behind a bush a few yards away from the fort. His heart skipped. He should apologize, but that would only create the wrong impression. A lesson he learned with Daria. They would keep coming. yet Snow was not like Daria. Daria was a nagging leech who was helpful at times. Snow, on the other hand,  was enchanting to be with. And due to their partnership made it difficult for Robin to ignore her. "Is everyone in place?" He asked her. She nodded. 

"Just waiting on your command." He looked at the fort.  There were guards along the walls, and more inside.  For their plan to work thy needed the door open. Unfortunately, the door could only bee open from the inside. Fortunately, Robin had a few tricks up his sleeves.  He turned to Snow. 

"Do you have the candle?" Snow pulled it out, from beside her, it was already burning. 

"Good, now hold still." Robin pulled out one of the arrows that were all oiled at the tip. Then he lit it on fire. Slid it into the bow and let it fly. One by one, more fire arrows shot through the air. He watched the fire as it burned across the pink sky before it landed into the fort. Within seconds, the fort was in flames. 

From his spot, he heard startled yells and screams rising above the crackling waves.  

"Get ready."  Just as he expected, the soldiers opened the fort and a stream of armoured soldiers ran out coughing. 

"Now!" He rose to his feet and broke into a run.  The wind whipped at his face as he heard to the roar of his men charging behind him, with their weapons drawn.  Once close, Robin put his bow away and pulled out his sword and drove it into a soldier's back when he wasn't looking. When he pulled it out he saw William and Kai finishing components off as well. 

"Collect as many weapons you can"He reminded them

"Aye Robin!" They nodded and ran off into the fort. 

"Robin Hood!" Shouted a voice. Robin spun around to clank his sword with a soldier. 

"What honour it will be for me to cut your head and give it the queen." 

"What do you, leeches even know about honour?" The soldier scowled and raised his sword. 

"Says the man who steals from the rich!" Their swords clanked as they fought. The soldier jabbed the sword, aiming for Robin's head, but he expertly dogged it and stabbed his opponent's thigh. The soldier screamed as Robin yanked it out. He watched as the man clenched his leg, collapsing onto the ground where his fellow soldiers fell. 

"Robin! Let's go!" Shouted William, behind him a group of men were rushing out. Some were whooping, others were coughing and all were carrying a bunch of weapons in arms.  They all rushed into the forest where they watched the fort burn. 

It was a beautiful sight of victory. 

That evening, to celebrate their victory the rebels created a bonfire back at the camp.
Some brought food and drinks, others brought instruments to play. And they danced all evening.
Sitting by the fire, Robin watched as the others entertained themselves.
A movement caught his eye and he looked to see William spinning Snow around. The girl laughed as she spun from one pair of hands to another.
Her feet were light and her eyes shone like the stars twinkling above their heads. His eyes were glued to her as she danced, never did he lift it.