Deception

Chapter 93

- Chapter 93 -

"Come on!" I exclaim as we pick up our pace. It felt like hours we've been running around this castle trying to escape. Every corner and corridor was starting to look like the others. The prisoners were struggling to keep up; they were tired and deprived of food. I wasn't sure how much longer we would be able to make our way through undetected. I was surprised with how well we had done so far. The sound of footsteps from guards searching for us seemed to get louder after each turn we took.

"Stop! Stop. Where's the old man? Where is he?" Archer began to panic as we quickly looked behind us. He was with us a few minutes ago.

"You! You! Prisoner!" We heard a guard beside us shout as we saw the old man shuffle into view. He held his arms up above his head as he stopped moving. Guy and Robin held their swords at the ready, ready to pounce from behind the columns at the guards when they would come into sight.

"Please. Please don't shoot." He begged as he caught us in the corner of his eye. We motioned for him to come towards us however we heard the plucking of a bow string before three arrows lodged in the old man's back. Slapping a hand over my mouth to prevent my surprise gasp escape I turned away into Guy's shoulder as his body fell to the floor.

"No! Get off!" Archer shouted in anger as Robin tried to hold him back. He was obviously very close friend with the old man; I pitied Archer as he body began to shake with rage. As he stood over the body I could see the guards scrambling to reach for the next arrows incase as Archer roared in their direction with rage, raising his sword high in the air. The guards, frightened take off back down the corridor where they came with Archer foolishly chasing after them.

"Archer!" We cried out hoping he would come back. But when he began to disappear from view we sighed and quickly raced after him. We had come this far; it would be foolish to lose him now after the headache we've been through to get here. Archer slams himself into a guard causing him to topple over. He blocks a sword twice, forcing the guard into the wall with the second block, then Robin and Guy quickly pull him away from the first guard, whom Robin engages with. Guy fights a third soldier who suddenly appeared from down the corridor.

Noticing a bow and arrow that had been dropped by one of the soldiers that had fled, I quickly gathered the weapon in my arms. Even though I only had one arrow and I would need to use it wisely, I felt better knowing I could be helpful. The left-handed Archer steps in to take over for Robin, who spins away gracefully, his sword arm no longer hindered by the wall. Guy elbows a guard charging by him in the back, then pops up and punches another as Robin faces the elbowed guard. Quickly pulling back the bowstring I let the arrow fly as a fourth guard tried to sneak around a column towards Robin. My arrow piercing his chest, as his raised sword falls in a clutter to the ground. Amidst all the chaos, Isabella's guard just so happened to turn the corner into the corridor.

"It's Robin Hood!"

"This way!" I shout as we quickly make a run for it back the way we came.

"Robin, over here!"

Bursting the doors open I noticed that we are now in the Great Hall. Noticing an exit at the other side we bolt for the door only to pause as more guards enter from the opposite end. Quickly glancing around the room I noticed we are completely trapped. Guards flowed in capturing the other prisoners and taking them back down to the dungeons, leaving us behind. Archers positioned themselves on the balcony above with their arrows trained on us to make any sudden movements.

"Stop! Take them alive! The Sheriff of Nottingham is offering 100 crowns each for Robin Hood and Guy of Gisborne." Isabella's guard shouted before pointing towards both Guy and Robin. I raised my eyebrows chuckling when I found I wasn't worth anything. At least I know I am not a priority on her must murder list. Two additional people walked into the Great Hall and from their wealthy clothes I gathered it was the Sheriff of York and his wife.