Sherwood Forest: Fools and Liars

By Laura McVey

When two bodies are found in Sherwood Forest, the Sheriff casts the blame on Robin, but the townspeople suspect otherwise. Meanwhile, Bess struggles with her father's role in the rebellion, and Allan begins his new job.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Laura McVey
• Release date: Sep 15, 2014
• ISBN: 9781310555312

Laura McVey

Laura McVey is a university graduate with a minor in history, though neither of these things seem to have done her any good yet. She writes stories about heroes and kissing.

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Sherwood Forest: Fools and Liars

by Laura McVey

Copyright 2014 Laura McVey

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The melting snow and dirt roads of Sherwood Forest had conspired to sink the carriage into several inches of mud, and so Bernard and Adela has been stuck there for half an hour. Bernard sighed heavily, craning his head out of the carriage window to check the sun’s progress across the sky. The temperature was unseasonably warm, but it was still winter, and night was falling quickly. At the rate they were proceeding, it would be entirely dark before they were moving again.

Look on the bright side, Adela said, squeezing his hand. At least we’re warm and sheltered.

I would prefer to be warm and sheltered in the castle, Bernard grumbled. He leaned out of the carriage window again and shouted to the coachman. You there! What’s taking so long?

The man shook his head, jowls wobbling as he did so. The spoke’s half-broken. It’ll snap for good in minutes if we try to put weight on it.

Bernard cursed. He had known better than to accept the Sheriff of Nottingham’s offer of a carriage to take them to the castle, but Adela had talked him into accepting it as a sign of goodwill. "Is there no way to repair it?

Not without calling a wheelwright. The coachman looked miserable. As well he should- Bernard was tempted to dismount from the carriage and take out his frustrations by giving the man a proper flogging, but he still needed him to escort them the rest of the way. Well then, is there a dwelling near here where we can stay the night? I don’t wish to still be on the road when the sun goes down.

Adela laid a hand on his arm. Perhaps we could walk to the castle? We’re already in Nottingham, surely.

We’re in Sherwood Forest, madam, the coachman called back. This is no place for good folk to go walking in the evening. There’s bandits in the trees.

Adela shivered, and Bernard found himself growing increasingly irritated. Well can you not walk to town and fetch a wheelwright? Surely you wouldn’t be a target for these bandits. Had the Sheriff really sent them through a patch of wilderness where they could be robbed as soon as they stepped from their carriage? When they reached the castle, Bernard was going to give the man a piece of his mind. The first topic of discussion would be the state of his carriages, followed shortly by the incompetence of his coachman.

The coachman in question now looked frightened in addition to miserable. Surely I shouldn’t leave you and the Lady Adela here alone? There’s-

Bandits, I know, Bernard barked. Well what alternatives do you suggest? Sitting here and waiting for someone to stumble by and offer us help? Get along then! He made a move to open the carriage door, and that seemed to be enough to spook the coachman. He yelped in fear and took off running, feet slapping the mud with soft plops with every step.

You’re too forceful with him, Adela murmured. Still, she shivered and drew herself further into her cloak.

It’s good for them, Bernard said gruffly. Teaches ‘em to do what they’re told when they’re told to do it. He sat back in the carriage, putting an arm around his wife. "I’m surprised de Bainard allows it, truth be told. A man in his position