A Diamond Among Men

Chapter 11: Hunger and Fear

The next day, Snow found Robin by the firepit, with a bunch of paper and maps.
Curious she walked over.
"Morning Snow." He said without looking. "Since we have our first win, I thought it will be best we think of our next move."
"What are you thinking?" She said, sitting beside him. She glanced at the map, there were three circles around the three places of power. The castle, the fort and the Queen's palace.  Since they already burned down the fort, it had an X over it.
"I think we should attack the castle.
If we capture the castle, we would be able to have control over a lot of the assets they have and to corner them. " 
"It's going to be a lot harder than the fort."
"I know, but after our stunt at the fort, more people from the town decided to join. Adding to the fact we have all of the weapons at our disposal I think we will be fine." He reasured here.
"Plus, " he added. "We have you. You know the castle better than anyone."  Snow blushed.
"I suppose I do."
"Robin!" Whined Jon. The little boy was dragging his feet, flopping around.
"When are we going to eat? Im hungry." Snow's stomach growled. Even though they had a lot of food left, most of it spoiled already.  It was midday and they had not have any breakfast.
"We will go hunting then."
"Can we go to the town instead? I don't want any more gamey food."
Robin frowned.
"Being spoiled are we?"
"Please?" The boy pleaded. Snow could not help a chuckle.
"Why not? Other than last night, we only have been eating meat a few vegetables." Robin sighed.
"Fine, we will go." Snow smiled when Jon squealed in delight.

Robin and Jon were preparing the horses when Snow came over pulling her own horse. She stopped when she saw Robin frown.

"What?"
"I think you should stay."
"What for?"
"We don't need you to carry food, it will be a short trip. Besides the last time we there I saw a couple of wanted posters with your name on it."  Snow rolled her eyes.
"Says the man who has hundreds of wanted posters." She hopped onto the saddle and held the reins.
"I'm coming." Robin sighed in frustration but hopped on his horse and lead the way. 

The three of them travelled to the town with their heads low and their hoods up to prevent suspicion. However, no one was watching them, everyone was crowded around one of the main food banks with cross faces.  Curious, they hopped off the horses and went closer to see a line of soldiers with spears.  The leader was reading off a scroll in a monotone voice. 

"Your most beautiful and fair Queen has decided, after the burning of the fort, staged by the rebels, the Kingdom, except members of the royal court, shall not have any food for winter." 

An uproar exploded from the crowd. Angry curses were made, stones were thrown, but Snow knew it was helpless. She turned to Robin and Jon who had the same pale expression of realization.  

"What have we done?" Snow whispered. 

That night, the rebels were gathering around the fire with gloomy faces. That is when Snow realized that group was a lot smaller.
"Who's missing?" Snow asked. Mike responded.
"Half of my crew, and couple of others. " Snow eyes narrowed.
"They are coming right?" Mike shook his head.
"They quit." He replied. A small fire ingnited in her chest.
"How can they quit when we have so much to do?" Mike's eyes darkened.
"What do you think? Some of them have a family to feed." Snow sighed. Listening to the fire crackling, reminded her of their previous victory. But now even that victory seems dim. She shook her head and faced the group.
"Listen, starting a rebellion is not easy.  It requires hard work, determination and sacrifice. There will be days where we succeed, and others where we get a set back." She said. But none of the men lifted their head to her. She turned to Robin who got up from his seat to stand beside her.

"Gentlemen, remember the reason why we are here. We are putting an end to the tyranny we have experienced. The King and Queen whom you despise has only slowed us down. But we can revert the damage when we go and break down the csstle's walls and put Snow as Queen."