- Chapter 93 -

"Come on!" I exclaim as we pick up our pace. It felt like hours we've been running around this castle trying to escape. Every corner and corridor was starting to look like the others. The prisoners were struggling to keep up; they were tired and deprived of food. I wasn't sure how much longer we would be able to make our way through undetected. I was surprised with how well we had done so far. The sound of footsteps from guards searching for us seemed to get louder after each turn we took.

"Stop! Stop. Where's the old man? Where is he?" Archer began to panic as we quickly looked behind us. He was with us a few minutes ago.

"You! You! Prisoner!" We heard a guard beside us shout as we saw the old man shuffle into view. He held his arms up above his head as he stopped moving. Guy and Robin held their swords at the ready, ready to pounce from behind the columns at the guards when they would come into sight.

"Please. Please don't shoot." He begged as he caught us in the corner of his eye. We motioned for him to come towards us however we heard the plucking of a bow string before three arrows lodged in the old man's back. Slapping a hand over my mouth to prevent my surprise gasp escape I turned away into Guy's shoulder as his body fell to the floor.

"No! Get off!" Archer shouted in anger as Robin tried to hold him back. He was obviously very close friend with the old man; I pitied Archer as he body began to shake with rage. As he stood over the body I could see the guards scrambling to reach for the next arrows incase as Archer roared in their direction with rage, raising his sword high in the air. The guards, frightened take off back down the corridor where they came with Archer foolishly chasing after them.

"Archer!" We cried out hoping he would come back. But when he began to disappear from view we sighed and quickly raced after him. We had come this far; it would be foolish to lose him now after the headache we've been through to get here. Archer slams himself into a guard causing him to topple over. He blocks a sword twice, forcing the guard into the wall with the second block, then Robin and Guy quickly pull him away from the first guard, whom Robin engages with. Guy fights a third soldier who suddenly appeared from down the corridor.

Noticing a bow and arrow that had been dropped by one of the soldiers that had fled, I quickly gathered the weapon in my arms. Even though I only had one arrow and I would need to use it wisely, I felt better knowing I could be helpful. The left-handed Archer steps in to take over for Robin, who spins away gracefully, his sword arm no longer hindered by the wall. Guy elbows a guard charging by him in the back, then pops up and punches another as Robin faces the elbowed guard. Quickly pulling back the bowstring I let the arrow fly as a fourth guard tried to sneak around a column towards Robin. My arrow piercing his chest, as his raised sword falls in a clutter to the ground. Amidst all the chaos, Isabella's guard just so happened to turn the corner into the corridor.

"It's Robin Hood!"

"This way!" I shout as we quickly make a run for it back the way we came.

"Robin, over here!"

Bursting the doors open I noticed that we are now in the Great Hall. Noticing an exit at the other side we bolt for the door only to pause as more guards enter from the opposite end. Quickly glancing around the room I noticed we are completely trapped. Guards flowed in capturing the other prisoners and taking them back down to the dungeons, leaving us behind. Archers positioned themselves on the balcony above with their arrows trained on us to make any sudden movements.

"Stop! Take them alive! The Sheriff of Nottingham is offering 100 crowns each for Robin Hood and Guy of Gisborne." Isabella's guard shouted before pointing towards both Guy and Robin. I raised my eyebrows chuckling when I found I wasn't worth anything. At least I know I am not a priority on her must murder list. Two additional people walked into the Great Hall and from their wealthy clothes I gathered it was the Sheriff of York and his wife.

"It might be worth more than that to watch them die." He smirked as he glared towards Archer. I glanced between the Sheriff's wife and Archer and I could see the desperation and longing in her eyes. Raising an eyebrow it was obvious to see he had wormed his way into her affections.

"I think we've got a good chance." Archer quietly spoke to Guy eager to show off his sword skills. I had a firm grip on Guy's forearm as he tried to shield me behind him.

"Well, then we should give ourselves up."

"Give ourselves up?"

"Yeah, live to fight another day." Guy explained as I watched Archer's disapproval flood across his face.

"No. That's not how I do business." He growled as he slid over towards Robin and reached for his dagger. He was quick to remove it from its sheath and hold it against Robin's throat.

"Stop!" Guy and I cried out.

"What are you doing!" Unfortunately as we had taken our eyes of the soldiers around us Guy's sword was knocked out of his hands and we were each grabbed and restrained by the guards in the hall. Struggling and trying to wrestle our ways out of their grips, I calmly took my guard by surprise by remaining still. The more I fought the more focused he would be. He would eventually let his guard down and his grip if I didn't struggle. I watched as Archer whispered something in Robin's ear as he tried to get out of his grip, but couldn't because of the blade pressing on his neck. Robin looked furious and I wouldn't want to be Archer when Robin gets loose.

"Gentlemen! I offer you Robin Hood for my freedom. He is valuable, I am not. And it'd be a shame for me to kill him since he's worth so much more to you alive." Archer offered as he smiled towards the Sheriff and Isabella's guard. Archer began to pull Robin closer towards one of the exits hoping to make a clean escape and Guy and I watch on helplessly.

"Allow me, sheriff, to give the gift of Robin Hood and Guy of Gisborne to the Sheriff of Nottingham on your behalf." Isabella' guard offers as I saw the confusion etch across Archer's face. There was something about that I didn't trust as I watched him cautiously, my instincts screaming at deception about to come.

"I see why the sheriff wants you, but Gisborne?" He questioned.

"The sheriff is his sister." Robin spat out as I rolled my eyes at Robin's foolishness as I saw confusion struck Archer's mind as well as greed flood his eyes.

"We're supposed to be working together." Robin hissed to him once again as I watched Archer chuckle and shake his head.

"Well, I changed my mind. Do we have a deal, sheriff? I won't kill Robin Hood and you won't kill me." He offered to the Sheriff who thought for a moment before nodding in agreement.

"You're going to betray me like this?" Robin snapped.

"I have a sister who's the Sheriff of Nottingham. She's rich, she's powerful, and she hates you. This really isn't taking me a lot of thought. Out of the way! Nice meeting you" Archer chuckled as he pointed his swords at the guards making them step aside and Archer drags Robin into the doorway. Archer pushes Robin at Isabella's Guard and turns around.

"Seize him!" The Sheriff of York shouted as guards captured him from behind making me roll my eyes at his foolishness, thinking he would get out of this alive. He really has no idea of the ways of this world.

"Prepare them all to die. The Sheriff of Nottingham can keep her money. I'll send her their severed heads as a gift." The sheriff snarls as he nods at Isabella's Guard, who is holding the point of his sword at Robin's chest. The Sheriff's wife stares sadly at Archer before gasping at her husband in horror. Glancing at Guy and Robin we both try to conceal our worried glances before we are dragged away.

It seemed that the Sheriff of York wasn't stupid, he didn't want to put off our execution longer than necessary. The four of us were guided into the town square towards the center of the market place. A long beam stretched across with nooses being placed. I glanced at the busy market and could feel the rope that was bound around my wrists loosening. I wonder if guards are actually ever taught how to properly tie a knot. The guard pushing me along seemed to be easily distracted by everything around him. Slowly my pace slightly, I threw my elbow backwards into his stomach and hooked my ankle behind his knee causing him to fall over. I allowed the commotion to quickly disappear into the crowd as the soldier's struggled to chase after me. Recognizing the inn we had stayed at I noticed my horse waiting calmly in the same spot I had left him. Smiling I reached into my bag to grab a spare change of breaches and a tunic before ducking into secluded spot to change. With my sword comfortably back on my hip I bolted back towards the center of the market.

"Esme!" Pausing I turned to find the gang had arrived with a smile on my face.

"Tuck! Quickly Robin and Guy are about to be executed!" I warn as we bolt into action. We could hear the loud sounds of the fanfare playing as the Sheriff and his wife arrive with a warm welcome from the townsfolk. Glancing up I saw the three boys each sitting backwards on a horse with a noose in front of their faces.

"We need to get them down," I whisper as they nod. We began to split up as I caught Guy's eye. He looked nervous as the drums began to roll echoing in the street. The first noose was placed around Guy's neck as I saw him begin to shake and breath quickly. He was frightened and I don't blame him. Even coming inches to death is terrifying as I slowly pushed my way towards the front of the crowd. We needed a distraction so we could get close to them without alerting the guards.

"Proceed with the first execution!" The Sheriff ordered as I went to bolt forward a loud explosion erupted generating a big cloud of smoke. Everyone was in shock as I noticed that Archer was gone. Using the distraction to our advantage Tuck and Kate bolted towards Robin to help him down and cut the ropes behind him back. I bolted towards Guy and swung my sword above his head cutting the rope that held the noose. Gasping with relief I smiled at him as I helped him down and cut the rope behind him.

"John!" Guy shouted as I quickly looked over my shoulder. Little John had been fighting one of the guards that was going to attack us as I was too busy trying to get Guy free. Grabbing a sword that had been dropped to the ground in the confusion Guy ran over to John and quickly punched the guard about to attack him before slicing the sword across his back.

"All right?" Guy asked as he held out his hand for John to help him to his feet. I smiled proudly as John took it and gave Guy a swift pat on the back in thanks. Holding out his hand for me my smile grew brighter as I grabbed Guy's hand firmly before we dashed off into the crowd.

"Did you see where Archer went?" Robin asked as we gathered with the rest of the gang.

"I think he was going towards the stables" I replied as we all headed in that direction only to find him on the ground, with Isabella's guard standing over him with sword to his neck.

"Where is Robin Hood and Guy of Gisborne? Tell me or die." He questioned as I watch Archer smirk up at the guard.

"I don't know."

"Then you die."

Before the guard could bring down his sword Robin drew back an arrow killing the guard. Archer relieved rose to his feet and brushed off the hay from his jacket. We all watched as he jumped over the railing to face all of us. He raised an eyebrow in surprise as the gang eyed him up and down.

"This is my brother, and this is my family." Robin introduced, however Archer didn't seem to impressed with our family.

"Look, we need your help. We know you have weapons and we need them." Guy informed them as I felt the missing pieces begin to click in my head.

"My weapons are for sale. Do you have money?" Archer smirked in arrogance.

"We just risked our lives for you, and you betrayed us. You owe us." I glared pointing at him.

"Archer... I want you to join us. I want you to join us in our fight against Prince John." Robin pleaded however Archer just chuckled and shook his head.

"I'm flattered. But I have my own plans. And they don't include anyone else." Archer smugly replied turning down his offer.

"Now I remember where I have seen you before. You tried to fool Prince John with your weapons and escape with his money!" I snapped as I felt my fists tighten. He just shrugged proudly before mounting his stolen horse and riding off leaving. Huffing at his fading figure I turn to Guy and frown as I saw his unhappy face.

"He stole my horse." Guy grumbled causing Robin and I to chuckle as I placed a simple kiss on his lips making a smile erupt and a cheeky grin appear on his face.