Tuck on his quest (OPEN)

[Tuck]

Tuck could tell be the look on the woman's face that she was reacting out abject fear. Much of it seemed to be directed or Rosetta or something about her. Tuck figured that whatever he could do to lower the tension and danger that the young woman was feeling the better of that they would all be. However, he felt that the problem was not the young woman here, but the utter unpredictability of the lady Rosetta. And he now felt that that was one of the things that the noblewoman prized. With time it did seem that the young woman was seeming to be a little less tense, as she held her weapon in a less threatening manner.

"Now, now Kate .... a pleasant-sounding name ..... everyone has fear, unless you are someone like Alexander the Great of Macedonia, or some other great military leader. Its just that some people are able to control and channel their fear better than others. Ah ..... Locksley ..... Robin Hood's home village. You wouldn't have had any contact with him or hios gang of outlaws would you,?" he asked all of a sudden.

Roe took a few moments to consider her last question. "Each of us is here for different reasons. Lady Rosetta is really here for reasons of veangeance, while I am here as a former partcipant in the Crusades, trying to understand waaht Robin Hood and his gang are trying to accomplish for themselves and for England. I want to find out if its something that I could fight for as well, and if their struggle is a worthwhile one, whether they would alow me to join it."

[Kate]

Kate listened intently to the strange man as he spoke of things she did not understand. Who was Alexander the Great of Macedonia? Like most peasants Kate had little to no education in history mathematics or even writing. Kate could not read and she had no use for it. She had known a girl who had lived in the village of Clun who's father had taught her to read. Instead of the skill being a blessing it was seen as a cures, no man wanted a wife who could read when they themselves could not. It was improper and undesirable.

"I'm not afraid" Kate insisted sounding childlike. She resisted the urge to stamp her foot.

The conversation turned to Robin. Kate's eyes examined the strange closely with questioning eyes. What a strange man. He appeared to be a holy man on a pilgrimage but carried a weapon like a solider. Kate had never seen such a man in all her days. Who ever he was Kate liked him even if he had held a weapon to her the very second they met. He had a kind understanding look about him and spoke with such knowledge and wisdom. Kate liked by the sound of his voice alone.

"Why would a man of god want to fight along side an outlaw. We steal from the rich and give to the poor and if I'm not mistaken the church teaches that it is wrong to steal. God would not be pleased if one of his priests took to the forest and began robbing Nobles of their riches" she said slowly still watching him intently. He just kept getting stranger and the stranger he got the more Kate seemed to like him.

[Lady Rosetta Court]

"Well Im rich but I give and do not take." Rosetta said. "Oh Kate I want you to come to my house I got in touch with your brother and he wants to talk to you. im not lying." she said.

[Tuck]

Tuck rolled his eyes at Lady Rosetta’s comment. “I think that we should concentrate on the present, and not on the past, don’t you, Kate?” he smiled thinly. He was glad to see, by the look in her eyes that she was apparently focusing on him and what he had to say. “I’m glad that you are not fearful, my child. Fear can be destructive. Its good if we use it as a means of self-preservation, but if it is a means for us not to get involved with the problems of others its not good. For example, people of authority, such as the Sheriff or Sir Guy use fear as tool to get the common people act the way they want to. Fear used in that way is just trying to manipulate the weakness in others and is evil. So, the first thing that we always have to overcome is fear. So ….. do you fear me or my sword …. or are you one of those who was born with no fear?”

“I imagine that even Robin Hood has fears. He wouldn’t be human if he did. Although you may not fear me or Lady Rosetta here, I can tell you don’t exactly feel comfortable. However, even of you do not fear us I imagine there are people or things that you do fear. I have a feel that what Robin Hood fears are not things that affect him personally, but he fears that people he is responsible for are not treated well.” Tuck then listened to her questions about why he would want to stand with a person who was an outlaw.

“I, as a person …. and yes as a man of God, would figt alongside any man who defends the rights and lives of the people. They are the Lord’s flock, are they not? Is it not the duty of the shepherd to protect his flock at whatever the cost.? Is taking money back from those who have already stole it themselves from the people really stealing. I don’t think that it’s the kind of theft that the commandment speaks of at least. Don’t you think that God would look kindly on any effort that succeeds at protecting and helping the people, especially the common and most poor?”

[Kate]

" My brothers is dead," Kate spat coldly "He cant speak to anyone. Present sounds good to me".

Kate's expression changed in a heart beat. She did not need some one dragging up memory's of her brother and throwing them in her face. How did Rosetta know about her brother? Kate was sure that in the previous meeting the only thing she had said was something along the lines of " Aghhh stay away from me". If Rosetta wanted to dabble in magic that was her problem Kate would have nothing to do with her but if she dared speak of her brother again Kate might just let out her more aggressive side.

"You certainly talk allot do you ever pause for air?" Kate side cracking a smile for the first time.

[Tuck]

Tuck smiled, as he thought that this young lady seemed to be full of spit and fire, depending on who she was talking to. She also seemed to be able to change gears pretty rapidly. "My lungs are still in excellent shape from years of exertion I suppose. Like in swimming under water, I don't have to come up for air too often," he laughed. "Much of my adult life has been spent in contemplation, but when I want to know something I can be pretty long-winded .... my apologies."

[Kate]

“S’alright I don’t mind,” Kate replied with a smile. He used a lot of word she didn’t understand but something about his talking and the tone of his voice was competing. In a way it reminded her of her father voice the way he would comfort her when she had fallen down and scrapped her knee. Until know Kate had forgotten the large gap there was between them she had made when the sword had been drawn. Mot feeling at threat any longer she closed it, coming to a stop a few feet away from tuck.

“Is that what your doing right now then, just roaming around in the forest until you bump in to Robin?” Kate had jumped back quite a bit in their conversation but was sure he would know what she was talking about.

[Tuck]

Kate seemed to have calmed down a bit, and his somewhat long apology had seemed to put her at ease. She was no longer backing away from him. Indeed, she had come close enough where he had to make a decision about his extended sword. He quickly made it without too much hesitation, as he withdrew it and put it in the scbbard that was hidden under his cloak. "Ah ..... so you don't mind friars who run off at he mouth, eh," he smiled. '"It is true, though, I mean you no harm." He did, however, wonder exactly where this conversation and meeting was going.

Tuck laughed once again. "I guess in general terms that is what I'm doing out here. Even before I had returned to England I had heard something of his exploits in defense of the poor and oppressed around Nottingham. I thought that he, and what he was doing, was one of the best hopes that England had left. I dedicated myself to join him and provide what assistance and help that I could, for I think such a cause is worth fighting for .... to help those who have almost give up and can't help themselves. Its up to us who have the ability ..... to do what we can. Do you know this Robin .... by chance?"