“The man has a point, Robin. We will need to be fast if we are going to survive this. What do you want me to do?” John asked and Robin wiped sweat off his brow.
“I want you to make as many types of arrows that you can. I want arrows that can disperse mist, penetrate metal and explode. I want this entire forest Booby trapped and fortified. The sheriff has no idea we are here, but in time he will come. I want these men trained to fire arrows and I want them all to dress exactly as I do,” Robin insisted. John scratched his head.
“And why is that?” John asked, referring to the green hooded clothing.
“Because the sheriff is only looking for me, meaning he thinks I’m alone. Fortunately I’m not, so I can be several places at once. We may not be able to outnumber an army, but if they are looking for Robin Hood... A single man, we may be able to confuse them. It’s hard to find a man who is everywhere," Robin said with a wink. John smiled and nodded at his friend.
“Robin Hood, was never just supposed to be a man. I was supposed to be an idea. A revolution. With the help of all of you, I can turn one man into a legend. A wraith. A ghost story," Robin added and John smiled again, folding his arms as he took it all in.
“You know something, Robin? I very much like the sound of that!” John Little said, walking out of the room and allowing Robin to catch up on some well deserved rest. Lord knew he was going to need it.
*****
Will Scarlet took aim with his bow, focussing his aim on a deer that was frozen as if suddenly listening for danger. The shot was perfect and Will let the arrow fly to meet its target, piercing the deer right between the eyes. The deer dropped dead and Will wiped his bearded chin, smiling with pride. The kill would serve the men as a hearty meal.
Will crouched beside the beast, whispering a silent prayer as he removed a dagger from his belt. He was about to skin the beast where it lay when a dark hand held a blade under his chin. Will froze, listening as a voice spoke calmly to him.
“You have a keen eye, Will Scarlet. Yet you move too recklessly to be a killer. Where is Robin Hood?” The man asked as Will glanced up at the man’s dark skinned face. He looked like an African of earth, though it was impossible to tell. The man was draped in a black tunic with a black hood. He also carried a golden bow and a quiver of arrows.
“He’s right behind you," Will said with a grin and the dark man smiled, he turned on his heel where indeed Robin of Loxley stood holding his own bow, an arrow aimed at the man’s heart.
Robin lowered his bow, removing his hood and mask. A smile crept across Robin’s face.
“Ranger!” Robin exclaimed and the two men laughed and embraced. Will rolled his eyes. Of course they knew each other.
Chapter eight: The Ranger
The dark man removed his hood as Robin lead him into a large tree house with a large table in the centre. A fire burned nearby and the man Robin only ever knew as Ranger took a seat by the crackling fire.
“When I heard the rumours that the great Robin Hood had returned to the planet Sherwood, I did not imagine any of this. I thought after what we went through together in the crusades, you would have gone into hiding... but this? This Is risky even for you. I ask you, Robin... are the rumours true? Have you really been stealing from the rich to give to the poor?” Ranger asked and Robin nodded.
“Sherwood has fallen into chaos, old friend. I am building a band of outlaws to rise against the army of Nottingham. I swear to you, the castle will fall,” Robin said and Ranger nodded before bursting into hysterics. Robin looked surprised as Ranger shook his head, holding up an apologetic hand in a gesture begging forgiveness.
“Are you joking, man? Have you lost your mind? You just saw what war did to your home planet of Loxley! The planet is a barren wasteland, fit only for remnants of robots and cyborgs! I fought through that mess right by your side! We both had blood on our hands. Now you want to what? Burn this world to the ground as well? With what? A bunch of farmers and deer hunters? That sir, is fucking madness! A fool’s errand,” Ranger said, but the look in Robin’s eyes was one he had seen many times. He knew the man well, and despite the strips the crusades had ripped off him, Ranger knew the man was serious, not mad.
“They will die! All of them. The sheriff is building an army of machines to hunt you down,” Ranger started but Robin spat at his feet.
“Let them come! I fear not the sheriff, nor any of his mechanical toys! You know what we went to fight in the crusades for! Freedom! Now I return to a planet where freedom is just a word and a new threat has risen! I did not go to war to lose everything. I went to win it back! The sheriff must be stopped, Ranger! By God you know it to be true! A warrior is nothing but a farmer or a hunter with the balls to take a stand. These men don’t belong out here! They
