The Wolf and the Raven (The Forest Lord Book 2) by McKay Steven A

Author:McKay, Steven A. [McKay, Steven A.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Broadsword Publishing
Published: 2014-04-06T16:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

“Even if they were ambushed and are lying injured or…” Arthur couldn’t finish the sentence. “Well, they could be anywhere! We can’t search the whole forest.”

They'd almost reached Darton and had still seen no sign of Robin, Much or Matt.

John knew his young companion was right, but they had to keep looking.

“Why don’t we go to the village and find someone with a good dog?” Will suggested, and the other two nodded agreement.

“Aye, good idea,” John replied as they barrelled through a cluster of bracken that had grown right over the path. “A dog will” –

The three outlaws stopped in their tracks, staring in shock at the ground just a short distance ahead, then they broke into a run.

“It’s Much!”

It was instantly obvious their friend was dead. If the terrible wound in his stomach wasn’t enough, the crossbow bolt embedded deep in his chest and the blank stare in his eyes confirmed it.

“No!” Little John’s anguished cry was swallowed by the trees as he knelt by the body, placing a big hand almost tenderly on the unmoving chest. “Not Much…he was a good lad – not like the rest of us!”

“That bastard, Gisbourne!” Will shouted, his eyes transfixed by the black crossbow bolt protruding from Much, voice cracking with anger and despair. “He’s destroying us, one by one!”

Arthur stood at the side quietly, numb with shock, but his eyes scanned the thick trees and bushes around them.

“Where’s Robin and Matt?” he mumbled .

Scarlet was lost in a world of his own, consumed by rage and grief, but John realised they could be in danger and he stood up, grabbing Will by the shoulders.

“They’ve taken Robin – probably to hang him. We have to take Much back to Wakefield and give him a proper burial.”

“He’s dead!” Will roared. “We can’t do anything for him – we need to find that bastard Gisbourne and help Robin!”

John could feel Scarlet’s anger as he held him by the shoulders, but he stared down, deep into Will’s eyes in determination.

“They’ve taken Robin, probably to Nottingham for a show trial. We can’t just chase after them – three of us! On foot! We take Much home, and then we talk to the rest of the lads and decide what to do.”

Will glared up at the big bearded giant, but the sense of it finally penetrated his fury and he nodded, leaning down and lifting Much’s arms. “Fine – one of you grab his legs then and let’s move. Quickly now!”

They were all tired after their journey here, but their anger spurred them on as they made their way back towards their camp with their dead friend, taking turns to relieve one another – especially the much slighter Arthur.

“Don’t despair lads,” John growled, gazing at his two companions. “Robin is still alive, maybe in a dungeon somewhere, but still alive until they can make a show of him.”

Arthur didn’t reply, his whole body aching from carrying Much’s corpse, but Will spat on the thick undergrowth beside them.

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