Sherwood Forest: Allies

By Laura McVey

As the Sheriff closes in, Robin and his outlaws band together with Thomas and the rebellion. However, dissent within the ranks threatens the lives of everyone involved.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Laura McVey
• Release date: Feb 15, 2015
• ISBN: 9781310358005

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: Allies

by Laura McVey

Copyright 2015 Laura McVey

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With the minstrel’s arrival at the castle, the seclusion had been lifted- or Cecily assumed so, anyway. Even if it hadn’t, there was no one to stop her as she pulled a cloak on and slipped out the servant’s door, breaking into a run as soon as she was out of sight for anyone who may have been standing on the castle ramparts watching her. She had only a limited opportunity to deliver her message; she mustn’t waste it.

Who was she going to tell? She turned the question over and over in her mind as she ran. The obvious candidate would be Lord Robin, but she’d no idea where to find him. Sherwood Forest was vast and dark, and she didn’t know her way through it; she’d never gone in before. And who else could she tell? Isaac? He was familiar with Robin, at least; perhaps he knew his way to the outlaws’ camp, after Robin had helped him the last time. But if she told Isaac, she’d be drawing him into the whole mess, putting his wife and children in danger in the process. If it was discovered that Isaac had been in contact with Robin-

She slowed, breathing heavily. She was in the town proper now, surrounded on all sides by people hurrying to and from market; she could easily lose herself in the crowd if she had to. It was known that Isaac had been in contact with Robin; they’d been seen together publicly, on the roof of the guildhall. Yet he hadn’t been arrested afterwards. That meant that the Sheriff was loath to do so- well, obviously arresting a man under the protection of Robin Hood would draw the ire of the townspeople. But he’d never been afraid to draw their ire before. Lord Robin had never been so powerful before. What if-

She rubbed her forehead, feeling the beginnings of a headache throbbing at her temples. She didn’t understand the intricacies of the struggle that went on between Lord Robin and the Sheriff, nor did she think she could. She was not meant for politics. She was meant to serve, and she intended to. But how was she to serve when she had no one to tell her what she was meant to do? She needed advice. She needed someone braver than her, someone who could-

Cecily!

She looked up sharply, then breathed a sigh of relief. Alice was in front of her, elbowing her way through the crowd to reach her. When she did, she took hold of Cecily’s elbow. How did you get out of the castle?

The seclusion’s been lifted, Cecily explained. She felt her headache recede slightly, tension ebbing from her limbs; here, at least, was someone who could counsel her, someone braver than she was. News came to the castle this morning, and I need to see it delivered to Lord Robin- Robin Hood- before the Sheriff hears it. Belatedly, something occurred to her, and she scolded herself internally for not thinking of it sooner. Have you been to the cottage? How is my mother faring?

Cecily. Alice tugged on her arm and Cecily followed obediently, letting the other girl pull her out of the crowd and behind one of the guildhall buildings. Her face was pulled in a tight line, like a drawstring. Cecily felt dread swirl in her stomach. What is it?

Your mother . . . Alice was chewing on her bottom lip, something Cecily had never seen her do, never even thought she would do. It seemed like such an anxious gesture, not suited to the sort of girl who’d break into the castle or brave the streets during the pestilence. I was at the cottage yesterday, she said softly. Your mother- she succumbed late in the afternoon. It was quick, she added hurriedly. She didn’t suffer. Her mouth worked as though she was thinking of saying something else, but she stayed silent.

Cecily said nothing. Alice’s words had not hit her hard, though she thought they ought to have. She’d known this was coming- she’d been steeling herself against it- but now that it had truly happened, it seemed she had steeled herself too hard. She felt nothing; nothing at all.

My brother and sister, she said, voice flat. Are they- they’re still there?

Alice nodded, releasing her arm. I left them with food, she said, "and I sent for the