Arrow To The Heart (De Bron Saga) (22 page)

"Now is not the time for this, de Bron," she exclaimed.   She looked him full in the face
, but he was not looking at her. Instead, his focus was transfixed unwaveringly on something else. "What is it?  What do you see?"

"BiGod
." He swore a vile oath as he saw  silhouettes moving through the rain toward them.  "Men."  Their bows were strung with arrows and those arrows pointed straight at Rowena and himself.

"We have caught two weasels," came a low voice.  As Rowena gasped and Kendrick groaned, the arrows were aimed right at their hearts.

Chapter Twenty

The light of the moon reflected on  millions of raindrops, making it appear that the leaves were sprinkled with diamonds as Rowena and Kendrick marched along in front of the party of archers.

"Where are you taking us?"  Rowena refused to cower.  "Speak up,
I say.  Where are we headed?" She squinted her eyes, trying to pierce the darkness so she could distinguish the vicinity of where they were going.  Deeper into the forest it would appear.

"You'll find out soon enough," was the answer.

Kendrick's head swam with a hundred angry questions for the moment blocking out his urgent pain.  "Who are you?  Why are we being treated so rudely?  Are you the Prince's men?  Or are you outlaws?"  He felt an overpowering weakness in his legs, a wave of dizziness sweep through his head.  A man could only suffer so much.

The answer was the same.  "You'll find out soon enough."

"They're outlaws."  Rowena made her opinion known.  She stopped walking, only to have one of the archers prod her onward.  The humiliation was not to be born.  Clenching her fists tightly, she wished for just one moment to hold her bow again.  She would soon show these fools.

"Outlaws."  On unsteady feet, Kendrick lurched ahead.  He was going to collapse at any moment.  Then what?  What would happen to Rowena then?  He had to go on, no matter what.

"Did you hear that, men.  Our identities have been discovered."  There was laughter, then Kendrick was cornered.  "And you, friend. You are dressed in the finery of one of Prince John's nobles.  What shall we do with you then, enemy that you are?"

"I'm not an enemy."  At least he hoped he wasn't.  He repeated a prior question.  "Who are you?"

"Who?"  One of the men puffed out his chest proudly.  "We're Robin Hood's men."

"Rob....."  A ray of hope, Kendrick thought, quickly saying, "I am a friend of his.  I
knew him when we were both lad----"

"Of course, ye were his boon companion."  Gripping his bow in his stubby fist
, the outlaw scowled, then gave Kendrick a shove that sent him sprawling.

"Leave him alone.  Can't you see he's hurt."  Like a protective mother bear, Rowena thrust herself
between Kendrick and the outlaw.

"Aye, leave him be."  One of the archers at least showed some sympathy.  It was at his command that a litter was fashioned with two tree limbs and Ken
drick's mantle.  Despite Kendrick's protests he was forced to get on.

The party continued brisk
ly through the forest, the men seemingly anxious to return to their campsite.  The frivolity of Robin Hood's men was already legend.  Despite the circumstances of their capture, Rowena was anxious to meet up with Robin again.  To her mind came the moment when she had nearly won the archery match.  If not for the breeze and her thoughts of Kendrick, it would have been she who would have won the golden arrow.  When she proclaimed that fact, however, none of the archers would believe it.

One of the archers lit a torch and held it up in order to get a better look.   "He speaks true.  I remember him, dressed in grey.  The pigeon."

"Aye, that's me."  Rowena stared down into Kendrick's eyes, warning him not to breath a word about her not being of the male gender. So, the cat was out of the bag and he now knew.  Well, so be it.  "I am that lad, isn't that so, de Bron."  If he gave her femininity away she would kill him.

A grunt was the answer.  If she wanted to play such a game he wouldn't denounce her.  But oh, how delightful it would be to have something to hang over her head.

"Well, whoever you are, we can not take chances.  If you are who you say, then we will make apologies."  The tallest of the archers hovered over her.  "And if you be foe, then you shall pay for your lies."

The night was filled with the sounds of the forest creatures, the howling of wolves, the hooting of owls.  The archers led them over a rocky path, twisting and turning among the trees.  Rowena's instincts told he
r that they were backtracking in order to confuse their captives.  She wondered which direction they were going now and looked up at the stars to try to better decipher their course.  They were headed east, she decided, though she knew that were she to be forced to find her way again along this path, she would have a difficult time. The outlaws covered their tracks well.

"Watch your step!" barked an older archer, still distrustful of his prisoners.  Rowena saw the reason for his warning as they came to a stream.   A large dead tree acted as a bridge between the banks and the party was forced to walk single file to reach the other side.  Glancing around, she nearly lost her balance and swore beneath her breath.

At last they were across the log and were led further up the bank where the current of the stream became swifter.  Coming to a roaring waterfall, Rowena looked in confusion as the young archer bid her go on.  To her eyes it was a dead end.

"Come," was all the young archer said, taking Rowena's arm and pushing her ahead of him.  Rowena gasped in wonderment as her eyes beheld a cavern behind the waterfall.   She was led through the splashing waters to the entrance
of a tunnel to the hideaway.  Several torches and campfires glittered, reflecting in the waters.  In all her wildest dreams she could never have imagined such a sight. 

"Merry-go-up!  No wonder no one has ever been able to find Robin Hood."  She was thankful now that she was not an enemy of the outlaw, for having witnessed the secret entrance
, if she were foe she would surely not have been allowed to live with such knowledge.

There was not much time to marvel at the wondrous sight, for again the archers pushed them forward.  Walking a short distance she could see that around the fires sat several archers.  One man stood
out from the rest because of his great girth and height.

"Little John!"  Never had she been so glad to see anyone.

The large outlaw looked in her direction with puzzlement.  Rowena realized that when last she saw him she had been wearing different clothes which were covered with mud. 

"Little John.  The
Inn.  Remember?"  Reaching up, she yanked at her hood, exposing her cropped hair.  Now recognition flooded Little John's eyes.

"Lad!" he cried, striding quickly towards her.  He shook his head at the archers.  "Put down your arrows, this young lad is friend to me.  Saved my life and fought bravely he did."

Rowena could see Kendrick's eyes riveted to her and thrust back her shoulders in pride.  Perhaps now he would realize that she wasn't just some silly female. "So it seems that I at least am safe," she chided to him. The archers were still pointing their arrows at Kendrick, however.

Kendrick looked anxiously around for sight of Robert Fitzooth
, but could see no sign of his childhood friend.  "Where is Robin?"

"Playing a trick upon our dear Sheriff," came the reply from a round-faced outlaw.

"Aye, he pretends to be a butcher.  Little John here is soon to join him, said another.  He winked boldly at Little John.

"Which reminds me.  I must be upon my way if I am to be the first one at the fair."  Little John held up his staff.  "I have this ready."

Rowena watched as Little John left the camp, overcome with curiosity.  Oh, what fun it would have been to join in on whatever prank was to be played.

"Show the lad here
proper hospitality until I return," John called back over his shoulder.

At his words a tankard of ale, no doubt stolen from some rich man's table, was thrust into Rowena's hands.  She drank the contents quickly, then turned her attentions to Kendrick.  Since there was no one to vouch for him, his hands were being tied behind his back lest he escape.  He looked towards her, pleading with her to help him.  Impishly she took her time but at last nodded. 

"He is a friend."  She winked at him, then settled down by the fire.

It was several days before Robin Hood returned.  When at last he did, he and Little John brought with them the Sheriff of Nottingham's own cook.

"Kendrick!"  Robert Fitzooth was stunned to see him among his men.  "What are you doing here?"

"It's a long, tedious story.
But to make it short, my troubles began when I tried to help you.” Kendrick paused.  “I was intercepted while trying to take your message to Canterbury."

"
For that I am sorry.” Robin shook his head.  “And sorry am I that it is now being bandied about that you are a traitor to England.  There is a warrant out for your arrest."  Robert shrugged.  "So you see, we are both outlaws, now."

"So it would seem,"
Kendrick shot back, wondering how his carefully laid out plans had gone so awry. 

"Well, perhaps it is for the best, at least for me.  I have need of a man with your courage and skill."  He toasted him with a mug of ale, then Robert looked towards Rowena.  "Who is he?"

Rowena's heart quickened.  Once again she wondered if Kendrick would give her away.  Clenching her fists, she waited.

"A bothersome lad I met along the way," Kendrick said wryly.  Oh, but Rowena was going to owe him for this.

Robin stepped closer, pulling the hood from Rowena's head.  She tossed her head back proudly and stood with shoulders back, head up.  "Why I think I recognize him.  The one who shot with me at the fair."

"Yea, it was I."  She strode forward.  "As I told you before, I will win next time."

Robin guffawed loudly.  "We shall see.  We shall see."  He looked her up and down.  "Meanwhile, come join my band."

There was danger in the venture
, for whoever was caught would have their neck stretched by the hangman's rope.  Even so, the thrill of joining with this man chased away all Rowena's fear.  "I will, with pleasure."

"Not so fast."  The archer who had taunted her all along the way declared that the newcomer should prove his prowess.

Reaching for her bow and an arrow, Rowena was anxious to do so.  "I can shoot strong and true as you know," she said confidently. 

Robin shook his head.  "No, it will be with quarter staff that we will meet.  I did same with Little John and the others in this band."  He looked towards Kendrick.  "You too will have your turn once you heal."

Little John came forward with a hearty laugh.  "I knocked our good Rob into the water when first we met.  I have the honor of being one to have bested him.  Let's see if you can do as well, lad."  His wink told Rowena that he was on her side.  "It would do good for Rob to meet his match."

“Aye, by all means.  Let’s see what you can do,” Kendrick shouted out, not even trying to muffle his laugh.  It was one thing to shoot arrows, but if he was not mistaken Rowena was about to be taught a lesson. His smile faded as it dawned on him that she could be seriously hurt.  If it seemed that she was in any danger he would have to intercede and tell these outlaws the truth. He wondered how enthusiastic they would be to have a woman among them.

Taking up her quarter staff, made from the stout branch of an oak, Rowena prepared herself for the match.  It would be a matter of her skill matched against the outlaw leader's.  Looking upon Robin's broad back and the well-muscled arms, she knew this would be one match she would never forget.

"Be prepared for a fall," she challenged, leaping forward.

Robin picked up his own staff, making ready.  He braced his strong legs slightly apart.  Rowena heard Little John counting.  "One, two, three!"

Robin swung his quarter staff, missing Rowena by only the width of a fly as she ducked just in time.  She was nimble of foot and smaller than he.  Striking out quickly she threw a blow of her own that struck Robin soundly on the shoulder.  He winced in pain but quickly parried another of her blows.

"Good for you, lad."

The air was rent with the sound of wood upon wood as the two fought.  Robin was much stronger than Rowena, being a man, but what she lacked in strength she made up for in wits and mobility.  The crowd of archers gathered tightly around the two, forming a large circle.

"Go, Robin!"

"Show the lad."

Rowena sidestepped another of Robin's blows but her attention was diverted for just a moment--long enough for Robin to catch her unguarded.  He gave her a resounding stroke to her elbow.

With a sharp cry of pain Rowena drew back, ready to concede the match
, but a look in Kendrick's direction prodded her to fight on.  He looked so smug.  Well, she would show him.

Kendrick wasn't as smug as he looked.  Damn but he was impressed with Rowena's fortitude and skill.  There were few who could give Robert a merry fight.  Even he had been bested often enough.  He watched as again and again she struck out and parried, swinging her quarter staff. 

Sweat beaded  Rowena's brow and her arms ached from the thrust of the blows.  She was doing well, but she was tiring.  Still she bluffed.  "Do you concede, Robin?"

"Concede?  Never."  Thus said
, his fighting became fiercer. Strike, parry, strike, parry and so on.

"Enough of this."  Little John came between the two combatants with arms outstretched.