Robin and his gang made their way through Sherwood Forest, following the guards. They all had just rescued a girl named Kate (who Much had an interest for), and she had informed them that Guy of Gisborne had taken all the men from Locksley, particularly her brother, Matthew, and are going to make soldiers out of them. Robin slid down a dirt path, hiding behind a tree. What he saw angered him: The men were in chains, walking in a single file line to the castle. They had guards accompanying them, two on horseback, and about five or so on the sides. Carefully, Robin abandoned his tree and ran back up the dirt path to meet up with the others.

"We take them now, right?" asked Kate anxiously.

"No, wait for his signal," said Much.

"She's right. Now's our chance," argued Allan.

"Don't mistake rashness for loyalty," Tuck cut in.

Kate started to advance, but Robin held out his arm to stop her, still watching the guards and the line of men. "Wait, wait!"

"Robin," called John.

"John, what's the matter?" asked Robin.

"Trouble."

Kate had enough. Ignoring the calls for her to come back, she ran right into the fray. Kate pulled the guard in the front of the line off of his horse, making him fall to the ground. Then Robin Hood jumped into the fray as well, same with the others. While Robin and his gang fought, Kate grabbed a sword of her own. Ducking from a guard's attempt to attack her, she growled and slashed his back. Then she ran to her brother.

"Are you alright?" she asked worriedly, and Matthew nodded.

"Kate, you've put us all at risk here," Robin scolded.

"I had to save my brother," she retorted.

"Nearly there," informed Tuck, he of which who was trying to free Matthew.

"Kate, you shouldn't have come. It's too dangerous," agreed Matthew with Robin.

"I brought help," she informed. "Robin Hood."

Suddenly, a shout filled the air. "MacMurrough!"

"Robin!" yelled John.

He looked up just in time to see the men in black and red with shields and spears charging at them. "Follow my men into the forest. Into the forest!"

But it was too late. The men that had attacked then surrounded the prisoners, Robin being squished into the middle. A man stepped out, with ginger hair and blue eyes. He examined the prisoners, shaking his head slowly.

"You men..." he started to say in a raspy voice, "you belong to me now. You fight well for my cause, and some of you may live to see your homes again. You cross me, and you're dead." The man looked to his own men. "It's a good job we came out to meet them, lads. The Sheriff's men wasn't exactly protecting my investment. Fine work, all of you. Now, move them out!"

"Here, take this," said Matthew, taking a portable hood off of his head and giving it to Robin. "So they won't recognize you.

"Thanks," responded Robin, putting it on as the men led the prisoners and Robin to the castle.
Meanwhile, Tuck, John, Allan, Much and Kate are walking on a grassy pathway in Sherwood. Kate walked next to John, Much walks in the front, and Allan and Tuck walk in the back.

"Thanks to you, they've got Robin," said Tuck to Kate. "Did you really think you could save your brother on your own?"

"Look, it was my fault as well, all right," commented Allan. "I went in too quick."

"Who were the painted faces?" asked Much, looking to Allan who just appeared by his side and was trying to catch up with Tuck who was now at the front of line line. "They came out of nowhere."

"Celts. Warriors," answered Tuck. "A battle technique based on surprise and brute force. If they are working with the Sheriff, we need a watertight plan."

"Hold on, Tuck," said Allan, and everyone stopped. "Who put you in charge?"

Tuck shrugged. "Well, somebody has to lead in Robin's absence."

"Well, I don't see why it should be you."

"You think it should be you after your reckless display earlier?"

John rolled his eyes. But then he looked around, groaning in the process. "Stop. Where's the girl?"

Now everyone looked back, staring at the path behind them in disbelief.

"Ugh," groaned Allan.

"Lets find we before she puts herself and Robin in danger," said Tuck, and they all ran back the way they came.

*****

Finn, Tiernan, and Vaisey were gathered in a dark room in the castle. Small candles were lit, barely lighting up the room, thus making the atmosphere in there very uncomfortable.

"Whoever it was attacked your troops knew what they were doing, nearly succeeded in freeing my conscripts," said Finn with his deep and scary voice.

"Um, Robin Hood, a bothersome little fly. Bzz bzz bzz," explained Vaisey with a nervous chuckle. "You brushed him aside. Well done, very good. Where's my money?" He looked to both men that were now in front of him.

"Well, at least the men got their workout," said Tiernan, looking at a wine bottle in his hand. "Saves me taking sword drill today."

"Well, that's your job, little brother," said Finn with an dry chuckle. "The men look to you for leadership. All you do is drink and play."

"Yes, yes, well..." said Tiernan with a big breath, "got to keep them hungry for the cause." He chucked. "To the next King of Ireland, my brother." He said the last part in a slow and dull tone, lifting up his goblet.

Finn grabbed his brother's shoulder and pulled him close. "You don't take the cause lightly, boy," he warned.

Vaisey cleared his throat. "Gentlemen."

"It's a sacred trust," Finn finished, pushing Tiernan back. Finn turned around and crossed his arms, a look on his face.

"Gentlemen, time and a place. Shh," said Vaisey. "Money. You have your soldiers."

"You're playing a dangerous game, aren't you, Sheriff?" asked Finn. "Supplying the enemies of Prince John with troops."

Finn turned around and gave Vaisey a steely look. Vaisey chuckled. Getting off of the table that he was leaning on, he walked around. "I know all about you two," he said. "You have no allies. And this is your last chance to grab power in Ireland, and you both you know it. So, do we deal the deal or don't we?"

"We'll exchange money for men once we're safely on the coast as planned, and not before." said Finn.

Vaisey grimaced. "Very well."

Walking out of the room, Vaisey found that Guy and Linda were leaning on the walls next to the door, obviously listening to the whole conversation. Vasiey walked away and they followed him. "I want those two buffoons out before anyone knows they're here," he ordered to Guy once they were outside and entering a foyer.

"Afraid Prince John will find out you're supplying soldiers to his enemies?" asked Guy.

Vaisey and stopped and turned around, putting a knife at Guy's throat. Linda gasped, stepping back a bit, staring at one man to the other.

"Why..." started Vaisey, "should he find out, hmm? Prince John will get his patronage money. He has to. And where is comes from is of no importance."

"Is that meant to frighten me?" asked Guy lowly. He chuckled and looked the Sheriff up and down. "Look at you. Your plans are in ruins. Black Knights are disbanded, and your having to buy the affections of a prince that would rather see you dead." Guy leaned back at looked at the pathetic little knife. "Why should I fear you?" Guy walked to the door, Linda quickly joining him.

"Because..." said Vaisey. Turning around, he threw the knife. Linda shrieked in surprise again, the knife landing right next to Guy's ear. They both turned around to look at an angry Sheriff. "I am the Sheriff of Nottingham!"

Guy growled and opened the door, leaving Linda there with her jaw practically dropped. Guy sighed and leaned on the door, dragging a palm down his face. Grumbling, he left roamed the halls. When he turned on a corner, he saw the servant girls going down the stairs and being accompanied by guards. But there was one girl who should not has been there... the same girl that defied him in Locksley.

"You," he said in shock, and the girl looked at him in fear. "Seize her!"

She tried to run away, but the guards caught her arms. The guards brought her to Guy, who looked her up and down.

The man sighed again. "Well, you're becoming a bit of a nuisance," he said in a dull tone; this girl was starting to annoy him greatly.

"Do what you want to me. I'm not scared of you," she replied boldly.

"Really?" he said, unamused. "And what about that precious brother of yours? Find her brother and hang him."

"You can't do that!" she cried, struggling against the guards.

"I just did. And make sure she sees him die."

"Please, he's done nothing wrong!"

But Guy ignored her calls, walking back to where he came. It wasn't until he heard her say something valuable did he stop and turn around.

"The men you brought in, I know something about them," she said. "They weren't just villagers."

Guy walked forward. "Talk."

"You won't hurt my brother?"

"I don't think you're in a position to bargain."

"Let her talk, Guy," said a voice, and he winced. Turning around, he saw Linda walking toward them. 

"Linda? You're working with him?" asked the girl.

"Not technically, he is a much better interrogator than I," she responded. "Matthew won't get hurt, Kate. I promise."

Guy cast Linda a look, but she shrugged. Rolling his eyes, he looked back to the girl known as Kate. "What about the men?"

Unshed tears stung her eyes. "One of them is... is Robin Hood."

*****

all in favor of calling kate a traitor say "aye" because i swear to everything that is holy she is as weak as... well... someone who's weak.

*****

edited 7/26/2015