Down the road from the mine, Brooker sits on the seat of the wagon with his hands tied above him to the cage. Much watches him as Robin, Little John and Will, kneeling on top of the rise, watch the guards being put through their paces by the sergeant.

"We send Brooker in. When the Sheriff and Gisborne leave for Nottingham, Allan does his thing, and then we strike." Robin told them all of the plan. Robin turns to Will, then they get up and go back to the wagon. Over the rise from the mine. The gang gather round Brooker as Djaq stands at the back of the cage and Robin relays directions to the slave dealer.

"Now, this is what we do. You sell your prisoners to the Sheriff, just as you planned. Allan will be right behind you, disguised as a prisoner. If you give us away, be warned: we may have to review our policy on throatslitting." He warned him as Brooker nodded, knowing what it was he had to do.

"Fire! There’s a fire!" Little John shout out as they all race to the back of the wagon where the rope fastening the door closed is burning. Will suspects it was Djaq, who looks guiltily away. Much gasps, horrified.

"Punishment from God! It’s all my fault!" Much was pleading up towards the sky as Will pulls the rope off as Much continues to repent. "Oh, I’m sorry, Lord! I do believe, I do!"

"Much, will you shut up?" Allan snapped at him as Much gave him a dirty look. As the rope drops down, Djaq tries to open the door but Little John holds it closed.

"How did you light that fire?" Robin demanded from Djaq as he banged against the doors to their cage.

"Let us go!" Djaq demanded.

"We are trying to help you!" Robin informed.

"You’ve stolen us to sell to another. You’re no better than him!" Djaq hissed at Robin as Robin sighed.

"Please, let me explain. Then if you do not wish to help us, then you are free to go. You have my word." Robin told Djaq as Djaq fell silent. "What is your name?"

"Djaq." There was a long pause before Djaq asked Robin, as Robin nodded.

"Djaq. We will help you escape. But if you leave now, the Sheriff will still need workers for his mine. More prisoners will arrive next month. People like you. We are going to destroy the mine but we need your help." Robin explained however Djaq just watched Robin cautiously.

"How will you help us escape?" Djaq questioned as Robin gave a small smile, knowing that they were finally going somewhere.

"The Sheriff will pay for you. And we will give you the money, and we will guide you to the people who will find you a safe passage to the port." Robin stated as Djaq growled angrily towards Robin.

"You made us the enemy, and now you play protector?" Djaq snapped as Robin glances away, frustrated. "And ask for our help?"

"Opens the door to the wagon. Let them decide. If you want to take your chance with freedom now, then go." Robin snapped defeated as he opened the cage door for them all to get out. However none of them moved. One of the prisoners speaks Arabic to Djaq.

"What are they saying?" Allan asked Robin as Robin shrugs.

"He says that if you do not let us go, he will kill you." Djaq lied as Robin gave a small smirk and a chuckle.

"That is not what he said. He said, “nou sa lei.” That means pray. Is that what you want to do? Wash and pray? Pray? Nou sa lei?" Robin as the other prisoners as they all nodded, smiling. Robin holds out his hand (touche). "And then will you help us? Please?" Djaq stares at Robin, stunned and with new-found respect.

After all the prisoners had washed, and Will had accidentally discovered that Djaq was a girl, they quickly got back into the wagon. Allan got dressed a prisoner before Brooker started driving his wagon towards the Treeton Mines, where Guy and the Sheriff were waiting bored. Brooker stops the wagon and gets down. The Sheriff strolls over to meet him.

"This, er... lateness?" The Sheriff asked him.

"I went round t’ forest. Didn’t want to risk the outlaws." Brooker smirked thinking he was being clever but his smile went from his face very quickly when he saw how unhappy the Sheriff was that he had to wait and miss part of his own fair.

"Did I ask for a route? No! Next month, you will be on time. Do you understand?" He snapped as Brooker nodded.

"I will be on time next month, my lord." He informed before he pulls the cover off the wagon and holds a hand out, presenting his slaves.

"Shackles." The Sheriff commanded to one of the guards as Brooker opens the door and the guards pull the men out, one by one, including Allan, who is dressed as a Saracen with a cloth over his mouth and nose. The slaves are lined up behind the Sheriff. Chuckles slightly.

"I like it. This is good." The Sheriff smirked before the Sheriff stops Djaq after she gets out. "You don’t expect full price for this one? He has no muscle."

"He has spirit!" Brooker smiled, hoping not to lose to much money.

"Spirit? I’ve seen more spirit on cheese." The Sheriff insulted as Djaq spits on the ground at her side. The Sheriff looks down at the spittle, then slaps her with the gloves in his hand. The rise overlooking the mine. Rowan appears on the rise with a determined look on his face and a rock in his hand. He looks down at the stone, mustering his courage, and Robin suddenly grabs him from behind, putting his hand over his mouth, and pulls him to the ground. He turns him over to face him.

"Who are you?" Robin questioned him.

"I’m Rowan, son of Dunne. Tries to get up. And I’m going to kill Gisborne." He answered as he tried to get up before Robin pushes him back down.

"If you do that now, the mine will stay open. You will sabotage our plan and you will put one of my men’s life in danger." Robin warned him. Meanwhile back down at the mines the Sheriff and Brooker were in deep conversation.

"If any die within the month, I’ll take it off your next bill." The Sheriff told him as Brooker nods.

"Pay the man, Gisborne." The Sheriff ordered as Guy sighed and rolled his eyes slightly before Gisborne takes a purse from his belt and tosses it at Brooker.

"Good, so to work." The Sheriff announced as he looked at slaves as if they had no brains. "Iron!" He told them pointing at the mine "Iron!"

A guard leads the Sheriff back to his horse. Gisborne sighs and follows, before they mount their horses and ride to Nottingham to enjoy the Fair. One of the guards pulled out a whip as he lashed it out towards the ground, before another grabbed Allan dragging his towards the entrance.

"In!" He commanded. Allan looks down into the shaft, then kneels at the head guard’s feet.

"Give me a separate job, please! I’ll work twice as hard." Allan begged as the head guard pulls down Allan’s face-covering.

"You’re not a prisoner of war. You’re English." He noticed confused.

"I’m a deserter. There were loads of us with... It’s the Turk flu. It’s wiped out everyone except me." Allan pleaded once more.

"The Turk flu?" The guard asked skeptically.

"We English have no resistance. Foaming, writhing, rotting. Coughs twice. One man caught it from as close as I am from you. Within minutes, this black liquid oozed from his nose." Allan told him as the guard looked uneasy before shoving him closer towards the mines.

"Just get to work." He commanded as the head guard hands Allan a pick and two others shove him onto the ladder. Allan obediently climbs down…..

*************

My father and I stood waiting at the far end of the long platform. I fiddled with my sleeves to my dress, before I noticed the Sheriff and Guy walking towards us as I plastered a small innocent smile on my face. The people of Nottingham were all dancing, music was playing as people were eager for the Archery competition and I'm not going to lie, so am I.

I watched as the Sheriff feigns politeness as he waves to the crowd, walking towards my father and I, as I saw the Sheriff and Guy share a few words as Guy smirked before giving me a small smile.

"Esme." Guy greated as I bowed my head in respect.

"My lord. Sheriff" I spoke before I lifted up my head as I watched as the Sheriff whispered something into Guy's ear as he sighed slightly. My father and I looked at each for for a moment before my father followed the Sheriff, as I walked beside Guy up towards the stands. We took our seats as I watched my father sit slightly nervous in his seat.

The Sheriff stood up as the crowd went silent as he begins is addressing the crowd, standing in front of his chair, which is raised and pulled forward from the others, in the stand opposite the target.

"Thanks to the rogue element amongst you, I have been forced to introduce new security measures. The guilty object to security because the guilty have something to hide." He announced as he slapped his glove against his side which he always did when he had a nasty trick or plan up his sleeve.

"So, I expect your full co-operation." He added as I watched the Sheriff motions to a guard, who puts a sword at a townsman’s throat and forces him up onto the platform in front of the stand. I felt sorry for the poor man, unsure of what it was the Sheriff was trying to prove as the poor innocent man was struggling slightly.

"No man shall wear a sleeve on his left arm." The Sheriff spoke clearly as I struggled to suppress my shock as another guard rips off the man’s left sleeve. Gisborne, beside me leans over to get a better look. The Sheriff looks at the man’s bare arm and the other peasant men in the crowd begin to roll up their left sleeves.

"Oh and, er... do have a lovely fair." The sheriff added as he went to sit down.

"Thank you." I heard him mutter silently as the music resumes. I could see Guy and the Sheriff watching closely as the men roll up their sleeves, looking for a wound, that was actually on my arm right under their noses as I made a small gulp.

"That one... ooh, no." I heard the Sheriff mutter as he pointed to a man before slouching back into his chair. I saw my father glaring at me from his seat behind the Sheriff's as I turned away worried for the people of Nottingham…..

*************

Back at Treeton Mine. A prisoner steps off the ladder above ground, holding his stomach. Allan quickly follows. As the guards frown and where about to order them back into the mines.

"Oh! Lord save me!" Allan cried out as he came to the surface. Gasping, crawling towards Brooker and the head guard as they looked down at Allan with utter disgust.

"Save me!" He pleaded once more begging.

"Kill him, quick!" The head guard demanded as he pointed to the 'fake' dead Arab. Allan at first was shocked before he panicked, knowing he couldn’t let them kill him as his quickly thought of something rather clever.

"No! His blood will poison the air. If you’re gonna kill someone, kill me, please. I can feel it starting. Don’t let me suffer." Allan whined and pleaded before thick, black liquid oozes from Allan’s mouth. The guards are disgusted and frightened.

"What’s that? What’s wrong with him?" One of the guards asked frightened as Allan pretends to swoon and keels over. "Quick! Let’s get out of here! Let’s get away! Come on, let’s go! Quick!"

All the guards run away in panic as Djaq watches from the ladder. Brooker tries to make a break for it, but Allan grabs his foot and trips him up. Robin, Little John, Rowan, Much and Will run into the area. Brooker tries to get up, but Allan is doing his best to hold on to him. Little John runs up to help.

"Hey!" Little John snapped ready to knock him out once more.

"John, keep him conscious!" Robin commanded.

"Robin!" Allan cried out rather annoyed as Little John puts his staff under the crawling Brooker’s chin and uses it to force Brooker to his back. Little John puts his foot on Brooker’s chest as Much sets kindling and flint on the ground.

"What is this stuff ? Tastes weird." Allan asked slightly concerned as he dabbed his fingers in the black liquid that they had gotten to make the guards think he was dying. Djaq looks around in amazement at the outlaws’ plan in action, and that it worked.  

"You’ll be fine as long as you don’t….." Robin began just before Allan swallows and grimaces.

"swallow it. I said, don’t swallow it! You’ll be fine." He comforted Allan patting him on the back before he turned to Much and Will.

"Lay fires! Around those beams and inside!" He commanded as they nodded. Will buries the blade of his broadaxe in a post by a shaft before running off to obey.

"Let me light them! I’ll burn the place to the ground." Rowan commanded impatiently.

"I don’t think so. We’ll do that." Much told him slightly unsure of Rowan still. He was only a boy wanting revenge.

"No! Let Rowan. For his father." Robin told Much as he stepped back from peering into one of the mine shafts before Robin nods to Rowan, who nods back, as a way of saying thank you to Robin. Little John still holds Brooker’s arms behind his back with his staff. Robin walks over and snaps the purse from his belt.

"Can I not keep the money?" Brooker asked disappointed. As Robin shook his head glaring at this man, he had no heart.

"You are a despicable, heartless, soulless slave trader, lucky to escape with your life." Robin spat towards him before walking away as Much who was kneeling over the kindling with a flint in his hand looked up towards Brooker.

"That’s a no." He confirmed for him as Brooker sighed sad he wouldn't get his money.

"Now go." Robin told him his voice slightly softer, as everyone was taken by surprise even Brooker. He strained his ears in Robin's direction as if he had heard wrong as Little John glanced at Robin as if he had gone mad.

"Go?" He questioned Robin with disbelief. Robin didn't respond to Little John's question instead Robin jerks his head to the side and Little John roughly removes his staff from Brooker’s arms as Robin checks the purse’s contents.

"I’ll see that you suffer!" Brooker threatened before he took his chance and ran off in the direction of Nottingham.

"Yeah..." Litt John muttered as he makes a hit with his staff. When Much saw what was happening he rushed over towards Robin, abandoning his fire.

"You’re letting him free? Master, surely he’ll run straight to the Sheriff of Nottingham and the Sheriff and Gisborne will get on their horses..." He started worried before he looked at Robin who was nodding eagerly with a smirk on his face. "Oh, I get it."

"Get what?" Will asked confused.

"They come here, you go to your fair." Much explained angrily. He thought Robin had told him earlier this morning he didn't care about the stupid fair and the archery competition. Well now he knew he was wrong, Robin wanted every chance to win that archery competiton to prove he is the best.

"Much as it saddens me to drag Gisborne away from his wooing." Robin spoke sarcastically as he placed a hand over his heart as if he pretened to care. Really deep down it was Robin who wanted to be wooing over Esme.

"Gisborne’s wooing?" Rowan asked quickly as he was starting to get useful information. Sir Guy of Gisborne had a weakness, and he wanted to know what it was.

"Yes, Esme." Robin spoke jealously as it was evident on his face, before he brushed it off and turned to face Djaq.

"Remember the road I told you of ? When you get to the abbey—" He began before Djaq rolled her eyes at Robin. He had explained the escape plan numerous times that Djaq had lost count and new it in her sleep.

"Mention your name." Djaq interrupted nodding as Robin smirked slightly.

"Salaam alaikum, Djaq." Robin told her as his hands purse to Djaq.

"Alaikum salaam. Godspeed, Robin." Djaq replied as Robin looks around.

"Much, what’s going on with the pilot fire?" Robin questioned as Much spreads his arms wide, about to protest.

"I’ll do it." Will sighed before Will takes the flint from Much and tries to spark a fire. Djaq watches a moment, then shakes her head, comes over to him, and taps his arm.

"Primitive." She told him before she checks the position of the sun, then holds her lens over the wood. It wasn't long before the wood caught fire as Djaq smirked and Will thanked her, in his mind he thought it was the most amazing thing he had ever seen. Robin, Little John, Much and Allan walk through the mine towards town.

"Well, I think we deserve an outing to Nottingham, for such a smooth and successful operation. In fact, apart from Allan’s ingestion of a certain plant root..." Robin spoke happy with the success before Allan frowned, he was still nervous that he would die or something from ingesting the plant root Robin had found.

"Yeah, which will do what to me exactly? I would say today has gone without a—" Allan spoke agreeing however Little John suddenly falls into the mine through a hidden hole. Robin and Much lean over the edge, looking down.

"John! John!" They all cried out……