Caged Robin (used to be Untitled)

Chapter Four: Robin’s Gang and Torture

Marian was sitting on a large branch high up in a tall tree. She was wearing a loose tunic and a pair of breeches. It would’ve been impossible to get so high in a gown. It was a beautiful day with perfect weather, but she took no notice to it.

“Lady Marian, what are ya doin’ up in that tree?” asked Much.

Marian looked down at the young man on the ground.

“Waiting,” she said, as she started to climb down.

Once on the ground, she added, “I’m worried about Robin, Much.”

“There’s no reason to be worried,” replied Much, optimistically, “he’ll return any day now.”

Marian sighed gently.

“Something’s happened to him. I can feel it,” she murmured, too quietly for Much to hear.

****

The torture master handed the whip to a guard, who put it away someplace. The torture master took two steps back, to admire his handiwork. Dozens of fresh lashes crisscrossed each other across Robin’s back.

“Good,” he congratulated himself, “but it’s missing something.”

He wanted to hear Robin scream. He hunted down a knife, and returned to his victim.

“This should do the trick,” the torture master said.

He ran the knife along the whip marks on Robin’s back. It didn’t take long for the torture master to get his long-awaited scream.

“That’s much better,” he said.

****

As Marian and Much returned to the camp, Will Scarlet was pacing around in front of the fire pit like a caged animal.

“Will, will ya please stop pacin’ like that?” asked Little John, in irritation, “it’s makin’ me crazy!”

“I can’t stand sitting here and doing nothing, when Robin needs our help!” exclaimed Will.

“We do not know that Robin is in need of help,” said Shamir, calmly.

“Just ‘cause Robin’s a few days overdue, doesn’t mean he needs help, Will,” said John.

Will refused to believe that Robin was fine, and would rejoin soon. He hoped that was the case, but didn’t deem it likely due to the Sheriff’s recent behavior. He had thought something strange was going on when the Sheriff had stopped trying to capture Marian, but his suspicions didn’t start until a few months ago, when he and John had come upon Robin and the Sheriff.

~~~~

Robin was backed up against a tree, with a sword pointed at his throat. The Sheriff was wielding the sword and standing extremely close to Robin. He looked like he was planning to kiss Robin.

“Need some help, Robin?” Will had asked.

The Sheriff spotted Will and John, and fled.

~~~~

After that moment, Will had started putting together the clues left by the Sheriff’s odd behavior and came to only one conclusion: the Sheriff had unnatural feelings for Robin. Will doubted that he actually loved Robin; in fact, Will was pretty certain the Sheriff hated Robin as much as ever, maybe more, but the lust was still there. Will had almost confided his theory to the group, but had thought better of it at the last second. They wouldn’t believe it could be possible.

****

“How is Loxley’s torture coming along?” the Sheriff asked the torture master.

“Very well,” replied the torture master, “I believe he’ll be ready to return to your quarters in a few days.”

“Excellent work,” said the Sheriff, “make certain of it.”

The torture master returned to the dungeon. He sat on a stool a few feet across from where Robin was chained, and ate a simple supper of stew and bread. Robin hadn’t eaten since his arrival in the dungeon. He was very hungry and watching the torture master eat did not help matters. After he finished eating, the torture master set up another round of torture. The torture master and some of the Sheriff’s men beat Robin. About half had clubs, while the rest used their fists and booted feet. Although it was far from a pleasant experience, Robin preferred it over what the Sheriff had done to him.

****

“I agree with Will,” spoke Marian, “I believe something awful has befallen Robin.”

Much wasn’t convinced, and neither was John. Shamir agreed that Will and Marian could be right, and so could Much and John. They couldn’t know for sure until they had more proof one way or another.

Will was trying to decide if he should tell Marian what he suspected about the Sheriff. On one hand, he needed to tell someone-anyone, but on the other hand, he didn’t think that was the kind of thing spoken about in a lady’s presence. Plus, he wasn’t entirely sure she would believe it.