The Outlaws of Sherwood by Robin McKinley

Author:Robin McKinley
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781497673663
Publisher: Open Road Media

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

If they decide to obey Sir Richard after all, our bright career is reaching a swift and brutal end,” said Robin lightly.

Much said, “These folk have no illusions about what kind of master Beautement would be, with the sheriff standing behind him and telling him when to breathe and what clothes to put on. For love they might obey Sir Richard, had they less to lose—or nothing to hope for. Those whose hearts hurt the worst will remember that they do their good master a service by disobeying him now.”

“I believe you,” said Robin; “but I have a mastery of the art of worrying that is a burden to me if I may not use it.” He looked up at the clear blue sky, which hurt his eyes; he wished for green.

A small hunch-backed old man materialized from behind a hedgerow. “Sir,” he said, looking around at them. His eye fell on Little John, and his face brightened. “I bring you the news you look for,” he said. “The sheriff has come, and his men are placed as Robin Hood said they would be; but we have two men for each of his, and three for the biggest ones.” He grinned, showing more gaps than teeth. “None so big as you; we’d need four for you.”

“And Sir Richard?” said Robin.

The man’s smile vanished. “He’s up in his hall, with the sheriff, and Beautement, and a few of Beautement’s greasy hangers-on, and the sheriff’s men that aren’t standing around stiff as pokers and looking like fools outside; and there are some visitors for Sir Richard who came today too.”

“Visitors?” said Robin sharply.

The man’s shoulders rose and fell. “Aye. That’s what I know. A lady and an old man and a young one; and another lady, and maybe a few folk with ’em. Friends of Sir Richard’s, who want to bear him away with ’em when all’s done. A kind thought: Sir Richard might have leprosy for all his great friends have stood beside him these last weeks. And these visitors have put the sheriff off his stride, for which alone they’re welcome to us. He can’t gloat as much as he wanted; ’twould be impolite with ladies present.” The man grinned again, and spat.

Robin was amused, despite the suspicion that had immediately presented itself to him. “The sheriff standing on the wrong foot is always good news to me,” he said.

“You’ll be Robin Hood himself, sir?” said the old man.

“I am,” said Robin. “And you are?”

“William,” he said. “Old William. I was a clerk till I got too old and my hand knotted up; but Sir Richard has kept me this eight years for nothing. I know what would come to me, did Beautement become my lord.”

It was curiously quiet as they approached Mapperley. There were cattle and sheep grazing in some of the fields, and corn ripening in others, and turnip tops visible in one near the way they took; perhaps it was only that Robin and his band

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