I had just finished saddling my horse as I put my scarf over my nose and mouth. I placed my Nightwatchman’s mask on then, pulled my hood over my head, covering my hair which was plaited down my back under my cloak. I was about to mount my horse when I heard my father shouting.

"... have the gall to rob this house! Get away from here!" He shouted angrily, as I gasped slightly before I pulled out my sword from the saddle sheath and ran outside. My father had his own sword in his hands as he blocked one swing before he was punched to the ground by the hilt of the ring leader's sword. This made my blood bubble angrily as I swiftly knocked his sword aside.

Giving him a mighty kick to the chest, he went flying backwards as my father sat up, I could see from the corner of my eye that he was shocked but impressed. This made me smirk slightly before I turned to the first companion running towards me. I blocked his club with my sword and kicked him back, and then I turned to the second companion. I blocked his staff low and twists it over and round in front of him, knocking him off balance. I turned and elbowed him in the back, in time to face the ringer leader again.

As he’s reaching back to swing, I kicked him in the chest, then grabbed his shoulder and pushes him to the ground. My father still was sitting on the ground frozen in shock and was watching in astonishment. I blocked the club again, then swing at the men, who ducks and knocks the sword from my hand. The man with the staff tries to take my feet out, but I step on the pole and bring my other foot up to kick his friend, then quickly turning back to the staff, grabbing it with both hands and pulling it from his grip, sending him tumbling to the ground.

For good measure I stabbed him in the chest with the end of the staff before turning to the other companion, who began wrestling me for control of the staff. I did a half spin around, turning the staff over our heads, and flipped myself over his back and back onto my feet. I pulled the pole away and knocked him upside the head as the ringer leader tries to engage me again. I hold the end of the staff under my arm and parries his sword, then gave him a mighty heave to the chest as I could see Robin, Much and Allan come round the corner of an outbuilding on horseback.

I changed my grip on the staff, slapping the ring leader's back with it, then taking his feet out from under him as Robin stopped his horse at my side.

"Stop!" He shouted as I watched as Robin slides off the saddle and strides over to the ring leader. I was furious; I was glaring at the three men and Robin. Why I was made with Robin I didn't know to be honest.

"What is going on?" Robin snapped angrily.

"Thank goodness you’re here. This is Robin Hood and you’re in big trouble, mate!" The ring leader snapped in my face as I had it. I clenched my fists and threw a punch smacking him in the jaw. I heard Allan and Much snicker, before I growled. I rushed to my father helping him to his feet, worried. He was pale and still overcome with shock.

"What are you doing?" Allan shouted hoarsely as he slapped the ring leaders head. I did a double take, my eyes flickering between the two. They looked so similar I guess they had to be related on some account. Allan and Robin came over to us.

"I am so sorry." Allan pleaded guiltily.

"These men were robbing my house." My father spoke shocked and wounded with pride.

"Yes, we’re robbing his house. That’s what we do! We’re trying to show the top man what we can do!" The ringer leader of the three shouted angrily as I was ready to attack him once more before my father's tight grip on me made me stop. He didn't trust those three and neither did I.

"TOM! These people are our friends!" Allan shouted in his face before he slapped him behind the head once again.

"Now you tell me. I thought they were—" Tom's face went pale as he glanced over at us worried.

"You don’t think! You can’t think!" Allan interrupted shouting once again as I saw Allan slaps him upside the head again. Allan must be his brother otherwise I wouldn't expect this sort of behavior from him.

"Are you hurt?" Robin asked my father concerned.

"Only my pride. These are your men?" My father spoke weakly, as I could see how furious Robin was in his eyes.

"Not for much longer, I promise. Apologise. Apologise for the disturbance. Now!" Robin shouted at Tom angrily as he was shoved forward. I saw Tom glance at Allan who looked ready to kill him.

"Do as you’re told." Tom reluctantly obeys and Allan slaps his head again. Allan steps back and receives an angry glance from Robin before they follow Tom to the door.

"Sorry." Tom muttered annoyed quietly to my father and I as I could the desire to murder him in Robin eyes.

"Louder!"

"Sorry." Tom spoke louder as he glanced at Robin looking piqued.

"I knew nothing about this. They will be punished. You have my word." Robin apologized to my father and I as my father nodded still pale before he made his way into the house.

"Robin, I’m so sorry..." Allan tried but Robin glared angrily.

"Just take them away!" He ordered madly. Allan grabs Tom and turns him away. I gently pull on Robin’s arm and heads for the stable. He followed behind me as I take off her hood, mask and scarf.

"There’s a consignment of silver coming down the Great North Road. I was on my way to intercept it." I informed him as he was slightly surprised.

"You?" He asked in disbelief.

"Yes, me. It is unguarded so as not to attract attention. A simple cart." I snapped.

"And how do you know this? Another present from Gisborne?" Robin asked with the hint of jealously in his voice. I deliberately ignored it.

"Look, I need to stay with my father. If you want it, you must hurry." I whispered to him as he nodded.

"Thank you." He gave a weak smile, before he kissed my forehead like he did when we were younger before he ran outside to the others.

"Much! The North Road." I heard him shout before I sighed and ran inside to find my father sitting, pale and stiff…….

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

Robin and Much cut through the trees towards the road where two nondescript men are pulling a cart. Robin shoots an arrow into the cart and the men immediately stop.

"Sorry about that. We arrived as quickly as we could." Robin informed as he dismounted his horse and walked over to the cart, pulling out his knife and strikes its handle against the lock. The lock breaks and Robin opens the chest to discover a treasure of worthless stones. He throws the lid back and sighs. A decoy.

"What’s the Sheriff up to now?" He muttered to himself as he looks at the silent men, then turns to Much.

"Well... it looks like we’ve all had a wasted journey." Much sighed as Robin leans exasperatedly on the cart. Much and Robin left heading back to the camp as the two men carrying the worthless chest went to Nottingham Castle. Where the Sheriff had a chest of silver sitting near the fireplace. The Sheriff picks up a handful of coins.

"Well done, Gisborne." He smiled happily as he lets the coins slide from his hand back into the chest.

"Hood wanted silver... walks to another chest on the other side of the fireplace, the arrow still stuck in its side... instead he got this." He chuckles as he picks up some rocks, drops them back in and dusts his hands. He pulled one of the arrows out.

"So, who did you tell?" He asked.

"My sergeant." Guy obediently responded.

"Anyone else?" The Sheriff questioned as he circled Guy.

"No." Guy responded quietly as the sheriff whips the back of Gisborne’s legs with the arrow. Guy stiffened not making any signs of annoyance.

"You’re sure?"

"Only my sergeant. It must be him." Guy snapped that the Sheriff didn't trust his word. The Sheriff was tapping the arrow in his hand, then turns to Gisborne and points at him with it.

"Make him suffer." The Sheriff ordered as Guy smirked.

"Oh, I will." He sneered before he left with that evil smirk on his face and the devil spark in his eyes…..