Deception

Chapter 56

"What are you doing?" I whisper not looking at him.

"We’re trying to find the pact." He responded as we watched as several guards lower the birdcage.

"Nottingham’s exchequer. Our community chest. There for all to see, demonstrating once again my commitment to open government. Hmm? And this... this latest addition to our fund, I have been reliably informed, has come from the coffers of Robin Hood himself!" The Sheriff added as the crowd “oh” as Sheriff laughs and claps. I watch as two guards begin to place sacks of coins into the birdcage as I heard Robin huff in annoyance.

"There goes our money." Much complains as I slowly look up at the battlements where a line of archers have their weapons drawn.

"Archers all around. Clever." Will added as we watched as the birdcage is once again raised.

"I you happen to see Robin Hood, and he asks you, “Have you seen my money?” you can say to him, “The answer, my friend, is blowing in the wind!” The Sheriff jokes loudly as the crowd laugh as the cage stops over the Sheriff ’s head.

"It was Allan’s idea. He’s informed the Sheriff of all the ways in and out of the castle." I whispered to him informing of how Allan had become the Sheriff and Guy's own spy against Robin.

"They’re sealing off the exits. You have to get out now" I warned as Robin glanced at me looking slightly scared.

"But what if Allan tells them about you?" He worries as I shake my head with a small smirk, I had already thought of that. One step ahead of you Robin.

"He won’t. I've silenced him." I promise as I watch Robin bites his lip as he absorbs all I have told him.

"Stop! That’s my money!" A man shouted as I turned around shocked to see a man standing at the top of the tower with a bow and arrow pointed towards the Sheriff. The crowd murmur and look up.

"What’s that man doing?" I question as I place my hand over my eyes to shield them from the glare of the sun.

"I want my bride!" He shouts out again.

"Is he mad?"

"Yes. He’s in love." Robin chuckles beside me as I shake my head.

"I've settled the debt and you've got your money. You’re the thieves! You and the canon! Not Robin Hood!" He yells as I watch as he draws the arrow’s tip past the bow and it flips harmlessly out of the string to the ground. Robin sighs as the crowd laugh as I shake my head at his own foolishness.

"Guards! Hang him!" The Sheriff ordered as I saw his face drop. The guards scramble upstairs as the Sheriff heads into the east corridor.

"Come on, John." Robin spoke beside me as I watch as Robin and John run to grab the fallen banner. Soon the gang run to the base of the tower, each grabbing for a corner of the banner.

"John! Jump! Jump!" Robin shouted as I saw he was hesitant, even I wasn't so sure that Robin's idea was a good one. But when I saw more archers head towards him from the other side I knew he had no other choice.

"Now!" Much cried out as I watched as he jumped down. A woman's scream cried out as he fell into the banner safely letting me sigh with relief.

"Run!" I watched as the gang ran out of the castle gates with the guards in pursuit. Just an average day in Nottingham. Chuckling I noticed Guy marching angrily towards the main gate of the castle with Allan in tow as I weaved my way through the crowd and followed after them at a safe distance. Taking a separate corridor I hid behind the ornate partition where I could just see the Sheriff waiting for them. I kept my breathing slow and quiet as I didn't need to give them any reason to notice I was listening in.