Not Your Usual Robbery [Robin]

[alice]

The Raven stood on her perch, high in the trees in the Sherwood Forest. Her feet, shoed in soft leather slippers, were balanced percariously on the branch she stood on. The curve of the branch fit snugly in the arch of her foot, allowing her to balance almost perfectly. She loved being up here, high in the trees. The branches almost surrounding her completely felt like a shield. She knew that it would do nothing to protect her in case of an attack, but that didn't make it feel any less safe. She knew she wouldn't be seen up here. Her forest-green dress and black cloak camoflouged excellently within the treetop. Besides that, nobody looks up, they only look to the sides. Nobody expects an attack from above.

The wind blew slightly, rustling the leaves in the tree where she stood. With it came a faint sound; The stamping of hoofs and the creaking of carriage wheels. She walked out to the other branches, keeping her balance. Years of practice kept her from falling as she stepped from branch to branch. When she was on the same side of the tree as the carriage. She pushed two tree branches aside, like curtians from a window, to inspect her prize. The carriage, upon first inspection, seemed to belong to either a rich merchant or a low noble. Either way, she knew they would have some sort of valuables on them, and that alone made the carriage of importance to her. A smile crept onto Alice's face as she reached for her bow. She would not be letting this one pass her by. 

Walking cautiously as to not shake the branches too much, Alice back to her position by the road. She took an arrow from her quiver and knocked it. She pulled her string taught, aiming for a gap between the leaves of the tree. She could see the deep-set ruts in the road, right where she knew the carriage would be passing through. She held her sight down the shaft, keeping the bowstring tight; waiting, waiting. 

The sound was growing louder now, as the carriage drew closer to her hiding spot. Not long now. Wait...wait...wait... As the horses passed through the gap in the trees she was watching, she took aim and fired. By the startled shout of the driver, she knew her arrow had found it's target. She shifted her cloak, so that the clasp rested on her right shoulder, then drew the hood up so it covered the left half of her face. She drew another arrow, nocked it and dropped to the ground. Pulling her string taught, she took aim at the sorry carriage driver, who was pressing his hand to the gouge in his arm where her arrow scratched him. Blood was beginning to seep through his fingers. "You would be wise not to move," she told him, "Or else you may find youself as the first dead victim of the Raven."

"Who says you won' just shoot me an' be done wi' it?" he asked.

Alice was offended. The nerve! "You may not believe me, but I have never spilt a man's life blood," she replied, paused dramaticly as though she were thinking something over for a  moment, then added, "Until now, at least. Will you please kindly step down from the carriage?" The man stared at her in disbelief, swaying slightly as he stood. "You know, you're only going to pass out from lack of blood if you don't cooperate. I'll happily help you bandage that up when I'm through," she added cheerfully as an afterthought. One would think she were offering to carry someone's bags, not help heal the person she was going to rob.

TAG: Robin

[Robin Of The Woods]

"You may not believe me, but I have never split a man's life blood," The arrow of another slipped between her bow and her cheek. "I on the other hand, have killed many; and not past adding a few more." Robert had been deeper in the woods; waiting for the coach to pass by. This was no the place they were planning on robbing the coach but when this one moved on it, they'd had no choice but to adjust their plans or lose the gold they knew it was carrying.

Robert had saw her jump down and had began moving closer to her as silently as he could; taking care no to step on leaves or sticks that might give his sound away. "This robbery now belongs to Robin of the wood and his men. Lower your arrow or I shall release mine."

Robert hated the name Robin; but was growing more use to using it. No one called him Robert anymore. When he'd first been outlawed he had gone by Robert but the men had seemed to think he thought he was above them. They started calling him Robin; since it sounded more like he belonged among them. The name seemed to take over and noble and outlaw and peasant alike started calling him Robin.

[alice]

Alice tensed as she felt the tip of an arrow brush against her cheek. She silently berated at herself for not being more alert. What would her father say if he could see her, his beloved daughter and hunting protege, not on her guard so that someone could sneak up behind her? "This robbery now belongs to Robin of the wood and his men. Lower your arrow or I shall release mine." A man's voice spoke from near her ear. A shiver of fear ran down her spine. She didn't want to have to fight her way out of anything. Like she had told the poor chap who was driving the carriage, she had never killed anybody. She was afraid to have to try and fight this "Robin of the Wood" and his men. But he wouldn't harm a lady, would he? Alice slowly lowered her bow, though not relaxing her grip or the tension in the bow string. "And do I have the honor of addressing Robin himself, or does he send his men out to fight a lady for a simple merchant's cart?" she taunted coolly, turning her head to look back at whoever was talking to her. The sharp edge of the arrowhead was a hair's bredth away from her skin. She kept her voice low, trying to hide the slight fear she had felt.

Meanwhile, the driver of the carriage swayed dangerously where he stood, stared blankly at Alice and her attacker, then promptly passed out and fell off the carriage. Alice pursed her lips in annoyance. If he had just listened to her he wouldn't have had to have gone through the massive headache he was bound to have when he woke up. By now whe would have had his arm bandaged up and she would be on her way to hiding her gold. She sighed, and completely relaxed her bow, though didn't completely relinquish her grip on it.

[Robin Of The Woods]

Oh that worked out well! Robert thought, as the driver fell to the ground seemingly out cold; giving him and his men one less person to deal with. If the man stayed down and out long enough; he would awaken to the shell of a carriage he was driving and one long walk to where he was headed. Robert's attention however; was mainly on the little girl before him. "An honor?! Really now? It's an honor now to cross paths with low lives and thieves is it?"

England was backwards! When he left, nobles were heroes; and knights were what you felt honored to meet. Girls were soft willing little creatures who spent more time trying to sort out what color graced their skin better rather then who best to hold up a carriage. he wasn't sure what the hell had happened while he was away at war; but he wasn't sure he had come home to the right England.

"I don't see a lady out here, among us." He taunted her, when she called her self one and claimed he and his men were an over kill. "And I know for a fact that is not just a simple merchant's cart." He moved back a few steps but did not lower his bow; until he was a clear of her. "You give me your name, little lass, and I shall give you mine."

[alice]

Alice was used to being insulted in many forms in her line of work, but this one took the cake. "Little Lass"?! She wasn't a child to be coddled! She had provided for her family single-handedly for the past year, now that her father was  almost completely out of work for almost a year now. She had gained a healthy reputation of her own as The Raven, albiet not as big as that of Robin of the Woods. But she had heard at least two different bards singing her legend, and a few small children around Nottingham playing at being outlaws, and several girls arguing over playing The Raven, and the boys insisting that The Raven wasn't as fun as being Robin of the Woods.

But as good as a healthy reputation was for her ego, it wouldn't change her predicament now. All she wanted was to rob the cab of its goods and gold, then go back to her campout to relax, eat, then take a bath in the stream. She didn't want to have to stay and fight against whoever this idiot was, whether he was Robin of the Wood himself, his men or some bizarre imposter. "I am called The Raven," she told him. "And that is all you will ever hear as a name for me. And may I assure you, good sir," she drawled, her voice dripping with irony, "I am as much of a lady as those pompus, spoilt, brats sitting on their gilted cushions in every single palace in the entire kingdom. In fact, I fancy myself even more of a lady than them." Alice usually didn't boast, but she suddenly felt the urge to try and one-up this man.

Satisfied that she had gotten her point across easily, Alice turned her attention back to the carriage. She mulled over what this man had said. He said that it was much more than a simple merchant's carriage. But she had it on good report that this carriage was carrying several bolts of fine cloth and three dresses intended to be delivered to the Palace for the "lovely" Princess Isabel. She had wanted those dresses more than the gold she had hoped for. Unless... "Are you implying that this carriage is the tax wagon being sent back to London to the Prince?" It was the only logical conclusion she could come to with the information she had. But now that she looked closer, yes, that was the Prince's crest on the side. Alice nearly swore in irritation. It was never her intention to rob a royal carriage. A couple of Lord's carts, perhaps, but not one on its way to Prince John himself.

[Robin Of The Woods]

"I am called The Raven," Really? That was what she was coming up with? "The one your parents gave you little girl!" He told her; as his men moved forward to handle the carriage and take anything of value from it. "Not the one you pretend to be." Between the this 'raven' and that 'guardian' women were going down hill! No more soft and willing; they were just nag nag nag!

He ignored her little rant on ladies and all the other nonsense; despite that face that he agreed with her, he didn't really get bitter over it. Whomever she was seemed bitterly ticked over the difference between her life and their life; and he didn't really care to get into her life story in the middle of his hold up. Robert waited until she was done before turning away to help his men.

Her words however made him turn back to her. "I was implying that you will never know." He wasn't but he didn't need her to know that; she was mouthy enough as it was and Robert liked his women silent. "Why don't you run home, and be a good girl? Let the big bad boys deal with this mess." He didn't know she was outlawed already.

[alice]

Alice was slowly becoming more and more irritated by the passing second. The man who held her captive didn't accept the name that she had given him, and demanded to know her Christian name. She quickly debated on whether or not it was worth the gamble; almost everybody in Nottingham village knew her father, as everyone needed to hint eventually, and thus, in turn, knew her. Would this man recognize her? She doubted it. But then again if he had not made those arrows himself... She looked closly at the arrowhead that was near her cheek. It was a common arrowhead, not unlike ones her father would use. But as she couldn't see the fletchings, she didn't know for certian.

Taking a bold move, she touched the arrow with her free hand and gently pushed it away from her cheek. "I would be more inclined to do so if you would be so kind as to take your arrow away from me. It's making me rather nervous." She highly doubted it would make much difference if she had asked politely or not. But it was better to be on the safe side and be polite. She turned around slowly, putting her bow and one arrow into one hand. Taking her hood off of her head, she said, "My name is Alice. And I would appreciate it if you would quit calling me a child or "little girl." I find it highly insulting."

For the first time, Alice saw her captor. He was nearly a foot taller than her, and seemingly much stronger as well. She would have no chance in a fight against him. "As to my going back home, I'm afraid I can't. There's a warrant out for my arrest and I would rather not get caught if I could help it." She doubted the man would believe her, even though she spoke the truth. "Believe me, I would go back if I could. But I need this gold to feed my family." Alice doubted that that would make much of a difference, either. But her odds of survival were looking pretty slim at the moment, as the man had not lowered his arrow yet.

[Robin Of The Woods]

"It's making me rather nervous." "Well that is the whole point of the arrow, isn't little girl?" Robert tossed back at her as if it was common since to know that arrows were meant to make people nervous and frightened. It was the person behind the arrow as well, that was meant to be imposing; but Robert didn't want to be the complete villain all the time. He didn't see him self as the hero; but he knew he wasn't the bad guy--not ALL the time at lest.

He only laughed when she told him; that calling her little girl was highly insulting. He wasn't sure when speaking the truth became a crime in England but the fact that he was an outlaw was prove that it was. Mostly. "You will have to forgive me; you're smaller then I and a girl so . . . little girl seemed to fit from this angle. I will strive to best curve my beastly tongue." He was having no trouble mocking her; and it was growing a little fun. However her last words took the wind from his sails. Damn it!

Leave it to a girl to know just what to say to make him feel a little bit guilty. "Believe me, I would go back if I could. But I need this gold to feed my family." Robert had hated the idea of working hard to help them that wont help themselves in the begining of his outlawed days but then as time started to go by it seemed easier for one outlaw to do it rather then half the kingdom become wanted by the law. Then he sheriff got madder that he was stealing and giving it away and it just became fun. Pulling a small leather pouch from his belt he tossed it at her, and put away his weapons. "Take it and go Tefel; you don't want your name attached to this robbery. There is more then gold it's carrying." There was letters from the Prince to the Sheriff. Information worth more then it's weight in gold. She was an outlaw but she wasn't want for treason yet.

[alice]

Alice caught the bag that the man threw at her easily, feeling as though she had won some small victory. He had stopped mocking her, at least. Alice was happy she had the gold, but it was much less than she had anticipated. Judging by its weight, she knew it wouldn't last for any longer than a month at the most. "I thank you, but it is not your charity that I want." Alice was grateful, but she didn't just want the gold. There was something degrading about the way the man spoke to her, as if she was a child to be scolded. She wanted to take the carriage herself. And, as petty as it sounded, she wanted the dresses and cloth in there as well.

"I know there is more in that carriage than gold," she said, tying the small pouch under her chain-mail shirt on her belt. "I know for a fact that there is a chest in there about this big across," she showed the appoximate size with her hands, "This far wide, and this deep. The seamstress of Nottingham was given orders to make three gowns for Princess Isabel, and to send back several bolts of cloth dyed a certian shade of blue for her; a color she cannot get in London. I would like to have it, for me and my mother." She paused, to let it sink in, then added, "Unless, of course, you would prefer to wear them yourself. I hear that this shade of blue would look lovely on someone with your complexion." She was annoying him and she knew it. But it served him right for doing so to her. "And I never did get your name. A bargan works two ways," she reminded him.

[Robin Of The Woods]

"Unless, of course, you would prefer to wear them yourself. I hear that this shade of blue would look lovely on someone with your complexion." "Do you think so?!" He countered, watching her closely taking no offense to her words. Really, did the little whelp think she was going to get more of him by insulting him? "Would it bring out my eyes, or just complement the color of my skin? Maybe make me look alluring?" Robert knew he was being an ass but it was a bit of fun when she was trying so hard to one up him. Poor little girl, she wanted to look pretty but for what? She was an outlaw! Where the deer going to give her complements?

"You do realize that if your mother is seen wearing clothing made of stolen cloth they can hold her for your crimes?" He reminded her, trying to see if she had thought this thought. Still, he had no trouble giving over the cloth. Hell, he'd just burn it to annoy the princess! He's crossed her path once when he kidnapped her for ransom; and she'd been a vile clingy little monster that honestly had scared the hell out of Robert.

When she demand his name; Robert laughed at her some. He knew that once he could have used his title and that alone would have granted him respect and power just by it's name. Those days were gone; as was his old life. "I am known as Robin, Tefel; and these are my woods." So he liked to claim, and thanks to the men who followed him no one else could make that same claim.

[alice]

Alice smirked as he countered her arguement. It wasn't unplesant, this battle of wills. It was nice to have an actual conversation with someone. It had been so long that she had almost forgotten what her own voice sounded like. "Don't worry," she said seriously when Robin mentioned the flaw in her desire to give the cloth to her mother, "I have a plan." Alice had indeed thought of that. There wasn't a snowflake's chance in summer that she would leave her mother to be punished for her sake. She knew exaclty what she was going to do. It wouldn't be too difficult. The only problem she would have would be sneaking in and out of Nottingham without being caught. She didn't have a black dress to hide herself with, only her black cloak. But it shouldn't be too hard. She had done it before.

The man finally gave his name as Robin. According to him, these were "his" woods. She laughed. How stupid did he think she was? "If these are your woods, you should take care of them better. I've been living here for almost a year and I have never seen you before." She had heard of Robin of the Woods, but it didn't change her opinion of the man standing in front of her at all. It didn't matter if he was Prince John himself. She would treat him the same way she would any other man who spoke to her like that. He called her that odd name again. It wasn't a word she recognized. "Why do you call me that?" she asked cautiously. She didn't know if the name was a good thing or not. He could be calling her a whore for all she knew. But she didn't like being left in the dark, and she would rather know that he was insulting her than standing there not knowing.

[Robin Of The Woods]

Robert hadn't been worried, he had just been making sure she wasn't about to get her mother killed because she saw something new and pretty. It wasn't his business to worry about each and everyone person out there who thought they could be like him. It was only his business to make sure they stayed out of his way; so he could fight his war with the sheriff. Which was why he did not care enough to ask about her plan.

Robert turned his back to her and gestured to one of his men to see about this box. The climbed though the cart while digging though all the good the merchant was carrying. "I've been living here for almost a year and I have never seen you before." He looked back at her before giving her a quip reply; "You and every other wanna be outlaw, guard, bounty hunter, and sheriff. That would be the whole point of the woods, wouldn't it be?" To be unfindable, and to disappear as needed. If he wanted to be found he'd live in the bloody city.

"Why do you call me that?" Robert only laughed, not about to tell her that he had gotten about her 'order' of not calling her a child by calling her a child in the language of the Holy Land. Robert wasn't a fool, and knew better then to admit some crimes to people; so he just gave her a shrug as one of his men came beside him the the chest that she asked for. "I believe this is what you were after."

[alice]

She had to admit to herself, she didn't mind the nickname. Tefel. It sounded good for some reason. She liked it. Alice's face lit up as one of Robin's men brought over the trunk she had been searching for. Her verbal battle with Robin temporarily forgotten, she dropped her bow carelessly on the ground and knelt down to open the trunk. It was careless for the seamstress not to have put a lock on the trunk. Two leather straps with steel buckles were the only things keeping the trunk lid down. She unbuckled the straps and threw open the lid with child-like exuberance.

On top was one of the bolts of cloth. She pulled it out and she it on her lap. She would give it to her mother; she deserved to wear a new gown. The first gown was a dark burgandy color, and made of a sturdy fabric. It was obviously a hunting frock. That would become useful. She put it on her lap with the cloth. The second dress was a light blue cotton overdress with a white underdress. It was prettier than the frock, with a pleated skirt and wide sleeves. She smiled at this one. There was beautiful gold edging on the hem and on the sleeves. This was one she would enjoy immensely.

But the real prize was at the bottom of the chest, resting on top of the second bolt of cloth. It was gold silk, with decorative laces on the front, wide sleeves that would trail on the ground with the train. It was this that stole her breath away. It was nothing like she had imagined. She would never have even seen such gown as the daughter of a humble fletcher, let alone have one of her very own. She didn't dare take it out of the chest, it was too precious. She didn't want it getting dirty. She placed the hunting dress and bolt back into the chest, and stood up. She held up the blue and white gown to herself. It would fit perfectly. It seemed tha she and the princess Isabel were almost the same size. "Thank you, Sir Robin of the Woods," she said, "For letting me keep these." And for the conversation and for treatin me like a civilized being and for being the first person to actually talk to me in months she added mentally.

[Robin Of The Woods]

Robert mostly ignored her as she opened her box and looked in it. The only reason he was watching her was because he was looking to see if she pulled out the letters he was after; rather then just bolts of cloth and dresses. Seeing the clothing reminded him of Marian; and the dress he gave her that night in the caves. He knew that if he wished he could give the others to this girl here. They'd robbed many a noble's carriage and stolen every trunk, case and jewel from it; and had a nice pile of dresses built up.

One of his men came up beside him to hand him the papers they had found. Most people could not read as it wasn't a skill needed among the lower class; so all papers and writing came to Robert so he could decide if they were worth their attention or not. After skimming the papers he grinned and gave his men a nod. "Take everything of value off; burn the rest."

He looked back at her about to tell her it was time for her to leave; as the smoke would draw guards and in force since they would be in his woods. The would know that he'd found another 'innocent' to rob. Her words however made his own stop. Sir Robin. It was as if she was mocking him; and who he'd used to be. Still her tone said other way. "Just Robin." He told her trying not to sound annoyed or angry like her title made him. A reminder who he was born to be; "Pack your box; and leave Tafel; the guard will be here with in the hour."

[alice]

Alice noted Robin's pause as she called him Sir. She wondered if she had offended him. She hoped not. It just seemed natural to call him Sir Robin. He was like a knight; a knight of Sherwood Forest. Yes, that sounded good. He reminded her a little of the knights she had seen riding off to the Holy Land when she was little, going to fight for God. But he was also like the bandits in the stories her father told her when she was little; rough and wild and untamed.

When she saw Robin's men light the empty wagon on fire, a wave of panic ran through her. The smoke would attract the people of the village, which would bring them here, to her her hideout. A rather violent and unladylike curse that would have caused her mother to have washed her mouth out with soap dropped from her lips. "I CAN'T go thanks to you bumbling idiots!" she shrieked, "This was my hideout! Now people are going to be crawling all over here, thanks to you!" She stuffed the dresses and cloth back into her trunk, slamming the lid shut and buckling the straps. She angrily picked up her bow, strapping it across her back. "Unless you have some brilliant idea on where I could wait this out, I suggest you leave before you do any more damage!" She picked up her trunk, and with that, pushed past Robin back through the woods. She would have to go and get her things then hide her camp. It was a long trek to her backup hiding place and she wasn't looking forward to the long walk ahead of her.