Young Writers Society

Hooves thunder down a dusty road, dirt flew behind them turning the greenery a light brown. A black stallion led the rest, the mighty steed carried a lord of great status, Robin of Loxley. A man of honor, a respected leader and warrior. The travelers were battle beaten and journey worn, they came from the west, were the armies of King Richard of England fought a bloody battle. Lord Robin had commanded a large army in the war.

Many said that it was Robin that won the war for England. But Robin viewed the war more as a lost. He said, no one ever understands just how much one looses in war. Robin would never forget the souls lost in battle, nor the screams that kept him awake at night.

A young girl yellow head girl closely followed Robin. In her eyes, one could see the admiration that she held for Robin. Robin had saved Hilhara from slavery and ever since she had never left his side.

Much, a small man, rode just behind Robin and Hilhara. He had cared for Robin since they were both young. Much was Robin’s closest friend, they had shared many hardships and grew together.

Robin was a man of great loyalty, and his friends retuned that loyalty. They stood beside him in war and they would swear to anyone that would listen that they would stay with Robin for the rest of time. And they would.

The group were traveling back from war, victors that eagerly await the return home. They missed the peaceful meadows of Loxley, the bustling towns full of life. They missed their homes and families, they wanted to sit by the fire at night and not have to worry weather they would survive the night.

Robin held up his hand and signaled the men to stop, they pulled on the horse’s rains to stop for a brief rest. Robin unmounted his horse, and smiled at his friends. Robin always got tiered of riding, he had never liked horses, ever since he was young. So Robin would often stop and go for a walk to take a brake from the riding. Robin would often say, that the best thoughts come to you durning a walk, for you have nothing to do but walk and think.

Robin stared into the thick dark forest, watching the inky leaves and shadows were the sun probably never reached through the broad leaves of the trees. His thoughts drifted to his time in war. Robin quickly dispelled those thoughts, for it was not healthy to dwell on those thoughts, war could drive men mad.

“Much, Hilhara, let's go for a walk.” Robin says to distract himself.

“Robin, we should not stop. We have to reach Loxley before dark.” said Hilhara, her eyes wondering the forest. “And something does not feel right here.”

“We have a few hours tell dark, and I need to stretch my legs, and we won't take long.” Robin then made his escape into the forest, and as always. Much and Hilhara followed.

The three travel on a small rickety path though the forest. Leaves and undergrowth covered the ground, making the small path hard to see. The ever constant roots and rocks on the path threatens to trip Robin as he makes his way. Robin recognized the feeling of the forest from when he was little. Robin would wonder in the woods and learned the way of the forest. He loved the Sherwood Forest that covered one-fourth of England.

Robin and his friends stayed silent as they made it though the forest. Robin and Much enjoyed the peace of the forest

“Robin?” Hilhara said though the silence. “This place does not feel right.”

“What do you mean? How can a forest not feel right?” Hilhara shook her head.

“It just does.” She said and made her way forward. Robin and Much followed.

The group stop right before a clearing when they saw a man. Robin was surprised to see a young man drawing a bow. The arrow tip pointed at a deer with big horns sticking out of the buck’s head. Robin watched the man, his sharp eyes missing nothing. Robin knit, the man was clearly novice at archery. His hands shaky were he aimed at the deer.

When Robin was young, his father would go hunting with him. Robin learned all he knew about archery from his father. Robin learned quickly and loved archery. But it was never the same after his father died in the fire. Robin continued archery as an honor to his father and because he loved it as a part of him.

Leaves rustled, Robin and his companions turn to the side, ears strained to catch the faint noises. The sound of hooves reach their ears. But the man in the meadow is too focused on the deer to notice the sounds.

Solders on horse back made their way into the clearing. The solders and horses startled the man, but he still let go of the string. The arrow missed its mark, but did manage to scare the deer off.

The man stared at the fleeting figure of the deer something in his eyes left with the deer. Not wanting to face the guards as he shook in fear for his life the man stared at his feet.

Robin studied the solders. What were solders doing in the sherwood forest? The forest is not property of anyone. It is free range for hunting, fire wood and resources. Only cutting down the trees was banded by Richard to keep the forest growing. Only a sighed document by the king, would allow a person to cut down the trees.

“To shoot one of Prince John’s deer has a plientaly of one hundred pounds. Can you pay?” the guard said. What was this about the deer being Prince John’s? The game in the forest was for anyone. It worked out well for it was not easy to hunt in the sherwood forest, which kept the forest full of game. What made no sense at all was that Prince John was a kind man. He didn’t mess with politics too much and was very compensate. He was shy and did not show himself much.

The man shook his head, his dropping eyes down cast. No one had that money except the nobility. Robin shook his head, what was going on?

“No.”

“If you can’t pay, you have to pay with your life.” The guard told the man. “Take him to the castle!”The man’s eyes widened and he looked up, tilting his head so he can see the solder atop the horse, the man’s knees hit the ground.

“Please, have mercy.” The man had a thick accent .“My wife is having a baby and I need to be there to provide.” The guard shook his head no, his merciless eyes narrowed in annoyance, as if the man was irritating.

“Grab him.” The solders unmounted and grabbed the man, dragging him off screaming and kicking. Robin could not stand by whale this injustice continued. He stepped out of the shadows with Much and Hilhara behind him.

“Don’t take the man. I’ll pay.” Robin tossed a sack at the guard. The sack hit the ground at the feet of the solder. The solder pick up the bag examining the out side of the bag. The solders hand went over the embroidered crest of the Loxley family, then examined the contents of the bag. He nodded, content with the money.

“Lord of Loxley, as you wish.” The solder said bowing his head then signaled the other solders and they left the clearing. The peasant man stared at Robin with wide eyes. He then got on one knee and bowed his head.

“I thank you so much, lord Robin of Loxley.” His voice shaking, Robin nodded to the man.

“Tell me, I have been away at war for so long, what just happened?” The man looked up at Robin, his eyes full of relief and gratefulness.

“My Lord, after you left, Prince John was put in charge of the kingdom, while the king was at war, Prince John made a law. No one was to go into the Sherwood forest, nor hunt any of the game, if someone were to violate that law, the person has to pay a fine, and if they can’t pay, they are taken to the capital.”

“So if you new that you could not pay the fine then why did you come here in the first place?” Hilhara asked.

“The taxes have risen so much I cannot pay for food, this is the last resort for my family.” The man answered. The man's eyes looked sunken and hopeless. "That deer was my families last chance. We are going to starve now."

“What is your name?” Much's voice was soft and full of compassion. Much had a gift, he could comfort the uncomfortable just by saying a few kind words.

“Cayleb, sir.” The man's shoulder's relaxed and he gain some of his lost hope back. Much turned to Robin and raise an eyebrow. Robin sighed. He pulled the bow from his back. Nocked an arrow and disappeared into the greenery.

"He'll be back in about five minutes. Robin is one of the best hunters in the country. Practically lived in these forest when he was young. I could never get him to leave the woods." Much explained. "Trust me." They stood in awkward silence after that. Cayleb not daring to hope for anything, lest he lose it. And losing something you is way worse than never having it at all.

Sure enough, after five minutes of award silence Robin came back, with a buck over his shoulder. He held it out to Cayleb. The man just stared at the animal. Why would his man help him so much? He did not know Lord Loxely and Lord Loxely did not know him.

“Take the deer and go, Cayleb.” Much prompted. The man bowed, then grabbed the deer and left.