Newcomer [outlaws]

[Allan A'Dale]

"Well, something's in the offing, that's for sure," answered Allan with a half-full mouth of bread from his seat at the side, "There's new people coming into town left and right, and I'm sure it's not the Sheriff's hospitality luring them here. This whole Prince John business is stirring up a lot of folks on both sides. Everyone seems to be waiting for the other foot to drop, if you know what I'm saying." He swallowed his mouthful. "And people aren't staying quiet, either. There's a lot of talk, you know; everyone wants to know whose side you're on. Gossip and loose tongues."

Witches too, if certain sources were to be believed. It made a hell of a big difference from the old Nottingham, where no-one dared to speak to anyone, least of all outlaws like themselves. Maybe it was Prince John's arrival - when it came to intimidating the populace he made Vaizey look positively subtle; perhaps at last the people of Nottingham had realised that doing nothing wasn't helping.

[Robin Hood]

Robin arched his eyebrows at Allan's report. So everyone seemed to be choosing sides, eh? He wasn't sure if that was a good or a bad thing. "Anyone we should specifically keep an eye on?" He asked Allan, knowing that the outlaw would have been keeping an eye on who was spending what or had no coins at all.

Robin lifted the spoon from his bowl and took a mouthful of the delicious soup. "Loose tongues cost lives." He added, looking around at the three outlaws. "I hope you haven't been careless? Not that I would assume of course!"

[Kate]

“That Rosetta but im sure Allan has that covered”.

She couldn’t help her self Robin had made it far too easy to slip a comment like that in. What wasn’t so easy was stooping the smirk from surfacing. Trying to his her amusement Kate pushed her self off the table and rested her self on the edge of Much’s bed. Was Rosetta really trouble? Maybe it was the whole witch business or possible something else but Kate wasn’t sure what it was but she didn’t like the girl. It was a feeling she couldn’t quite work out.

Worn out, Kate yawned widely and tried to conceal it with the back of her hand and rested her head against a wooden beam.

“Loose tongues,” Kate raised her head slightly to look at Allan trying her best to keep a composed face.

“Sir Guys Sister has been staying in Locksley these past few weeks…”

Well know that she was here and here to stay she might as well help right?

[Much]

Much let out a loud laugh at Kate's comment, and raised his eyebrows at Allan.

Everyone seemed to have everything covered. "Yeah, but this Isabella." started Much, "Are you sure we can trust her? I mean she is Guy's sister. Maybe she's just an act! Much also couldn't help but notice the fondness she had developed for Robin. He narrowed his eyes at the thought.

[Allan A'Dale]

Allan stuck his tongue out at Kate. "Yeah, Lady Rosetta's been talking to a few people. Unlike some, she knows how to have a civilised conversation. But I don't think she's really up to anything, she's just enjoying causing a stir. And of course you've got Isabella. She's so eager to renounce her brother that I'm still not convinced that she's protesting too much. I'm sure there's others...there's this so-called monk that's hell-bent on meeting you, Robin, if you'll pardon the pun."

[Robin Hood]

Robin's eyes slid to Kate. He didn't miss the teasing tone in her voice. Was there a hint of jealousy? Rob hoped there wouldn't be any tension or undercurrents. However, someone was going to get hurt emotionally, and he wouldn't have wished that on any of them.

He nodded as he chewed a piece of vegetable. "Lady Rosetta." Robin replied after he'd swallowed. "She's a bit flighty, isn't she?" He carried on eating then frowned at the mention of Gisborne's sister. "I see no reason why we shouldn't trust Isabella, Much. There's no love lost between her and her brother. She might just turn out to be a useful ally but I guess only time will tell."

Finishing his soup, Robin put the bowl on the ground next to his feet. "This monk. Do we know who he is?" Robin was intrigued by this holy man. "Perhaps we should set up a meeting. Allan, do you know where he can be found?"

[Allan A'Dale]

"We came across him while we were trying to rob a carriage. He seems to know a fair bit about you; heard about the gang and that we're living here in Sherwood. He professes to be on our side and I don't disbelieve him, as such...I'm just not totally sold on his story. Meeting up would be a good idea - somewhere fairly neutral. You're going to have to talk to him sooner or later."

Allan didn't really know exactly how a monk was going to help them - if he was even a monk; surely God was already on their side, after all. And his attitude really grated. As if the church wasn't already lording it over everyone, he had to go and rub your face in it. Bloody smug git.

[ OOC - No offense for reals, Tuck! LOL <3 ]

[Kate]

" A Monk?"

Kate dropped her gaze to the ground trying furiously to keep her droopy eyes from shutting for to long. Sleep was trying to edge its way it but Kate was determined to stay awake even if it was just for a little while longer. The midges had begun to gather as the lights slowly disappeared from the sky and the trees cast long shadows across the darkening forest.

“Where did all these Noble women come from,” Kate grumbles in her tired voice trying to stifle yet another deep yawn. “They are multiplying like rabbits.”

[Much]

A meeting with the monk? "Well, I guess it's an idea..." Much said uncertainly. This 'Friar Tuck' seemed to know a little too much about Robin and the gang for his liking. To be honest it was a little scary. Much stared into the distance in thought, harbouring a confused look upon his face.

He snapped out of his trance at Kate's comment. He laughed loudly and grinned. "There do seem to be a lot of Noble women around these days."

Much smiled as he watched Robin enjoying his food. It was always nice to see people appreciate things he did, although no-one ever seemed to express it. Much was very much taken for granted these days. He frowned to himself in annoyance.

[Robin Hood]

Robin rubbed his hands on his trousers and looked up at the sky. It would be night time soon and he ought to get back to Marian. "All right, if he's been asking around and knows so much about us, then I think we ought to meet as soon as possible." Robin stood up and slung his quiver of arrows across his shoulders. Picking up his bow, he looked at his fellow outlaws. "Allan, get word to this Brother Tuck and tell him to turn up at the Trip tomorrow afternoon. Best to keep it in a public place just in case." Robin walked to Much's side and grinned as he handed him back the bowl. "It would probably be a good idea for us to keep an eye on the Ladies too. Just to make sure neither of them get into any trouble."

Heading for the sleeping area, Robin picked up a blanket from his bed. Turning, he smiled kindly at Kate. "Sleep well." He whispered before adding, in a louder voice, "I'll be back at first light." Then, without further ado, Robin disappeared into the darkening forest.

[Allan A'Dale]

Allan wiped his bowl with the last piece of his bread as Robin retreated to the sleeping quarters, such as they were.

"That's that then, I s'pose. You done well on this soup, Much. I feel like I've put on half a stone."

He stretched and yawned. It had been a long day. "You two turning in as well?" he asked as he put his dish to one side, ready for washing in the morning.

[Kate]

"Im shattered"

Kate couldn’t stop the wide tired grin appear on her face. Finally some one else had gone to sleep so it was safe for her to follow. They only problem was she hadn’t settled on where she was going to sleep. Forcing her eyes to stay open she glanced around the dimly light camp.

"Will and Djaq won’t be back tonight will they? Think its all right if I use there bed?"

Unsteadily she approached Djaqs bed and placed a hand on the warn blanket before looking round at Much and Allan for approval.

[Much]

Much yawned widely, and nodded slowly at Kate's comment. "Yeah I doubt they'll be here tonight." he said, standing up and stretching his arms in the air. He let out a deep sigh and threw his empty bowl in the direction of the kitchen worktop area. He'd have to wash that up in the morning, he was in no mood for washing up at this late stage in the day.

Much shuffled over to his bed, and threw himself onto it in great relief. It was good to have the occasional good sleep, and you didn't get much of it being an outlaw. He rolled over so his face was facing upwards, and stared up at the leaves that covered the Camp like a roof. He crossed his arms behind his head and hummed to himself with content. "Night everyone." he mumbled.

[Allan A'Dale]

"Fill your boots," replied Allan as he stood, stretched and kicked ash over the fire to dampen its glow. If he did it right, with any luck not only would it prevent the flames from alerting interlopers to their presence, but they'd also have some hot embers still glowing in the morning; easy enough to stir back up into a proper blaze.

He unrolled his well-packed blanket and climbed onto his bunk, burrowing deep down under the covers.

"G'night." His voice was muffled under layers of heavy fabric.

[Kate]

Kate settled down on the hard bed kicked over her shoes and pulled the blanket, which smelled strongly of forest, over her self. Some where over head n owl hooted sending a shiver run through Kate’s body. This was certainly different but Kate was far to tired to get upset again. Instead the excitement and stress of the day had worn her out and it was not long until she was drifting off in to an uncomfortable but warm sleep. Her days as an outlaw had officially begun.

END

Pretty cheesy last line sorry about that