1 | master of arms [gisborne]

Fifty-one

Panic was one thing Guy could not tolerate, especially in a time like this. It was understandable, yes. Needed? No. Sure, the Sheriff of Nottingham was now back from the dead and was here to kill everyone, so there was definitely absolutely no need for a panic, right?

Guy and Robin loaded their horses, riding side-by-side on the path to the entrance. Much and John were setting Allan down in a crate, sad and regretful looks on their faces.

"He did this," growled Much, drawing his sword. "He did this!"

"Much! Much, you'll have time for that," Robin said.

Genevieve and Kate were at the balcony with a few peasants, literally right above them. "There's soldiers at every wall," Genevieve said. "Hundreds of them. The whole town's surrounded."

Guy shook his head. He couldn't wrap his mind around it. "I put the dagger in him," he mused to himself. "I saw him die."

"Well, that ghost has raised an army. Hiya!"

Guy and Robin jumped when they saw Linda bolt past them and out of Nottingham, the gate open for them. She didn't stop to wait for them, just kept riding until she was where her father and Blamire was. A guard was sitting right next to them on a horse, a white flag raised and waving in the air. Robin and Guy approached her side moments later.

The Sheriff chuckled. "Surprise," he said with a wave. "You thought I was dead. But you didn't check, did you? Very nasty wound." Vaisey pointed to above his heart. "Gisborne, we will have our reckoning. Right now, I want my town back." He sounded way too joyful.

"Not a chance," his daughter hissed. "You and your pathetic weapons are no match for the hatred that these men and I have for you at the moment."

Vaisey smirked. "Is that how you greet your father, dearie?"

Linda only growled.

Vaisey drew his sword, casting a look to Robin. "You tell your peasant army that anybody who resists me will die." Vaisey studied his sword casually. "Poor Allan. Squealed like a stuck pig when he died."

Linda sneered and made her horse trot forward.

"Linda," Guy admonished.

It was a good thing he called her, too, because she was close to slitting his throat on the spot. "You'll pay for that, you murdering swine."

"Sticks and stones, dearie."

The horse neighed, and Linda returned to her spot in between Guy and Robin.

Vaisey shrugged. "Give them a demonstration, Blamire."

Blamire raised his hand, and a block that was on the trebuchet was lit on fire.

"Loose."

The three outlaws watched as the block came whistling over head and landing in Nottingham, a big explosion following the impact. Linda swallowed and slowly faced her father again.

"You have until dawn to give me Gisborne, release Isabella, and then return Nottingham to myself and Prince John. Otherwise, you and your noisy friends, well, they'll be wiped off the face of the Earth."

Robin clenched his fist, turning around. Guy followed him, his mind reeling. Linda just stayed there, unmoving. The boys stopped halfway.

"Linda?" Guy asked with a frown.

She jumped, sighing and trotting forwards toward the Sheriff. "Change the deal up," she practically ordered.

Vaisey raised his eyebrows. "To what are you suggesting?"