To the Gallows (outlaws/open)

[goddess1girl]

Pulling her hood further down her face, Asha walked through the streets of Nottingham with a grim expression on her face. There was to be a hanging today, no one of utmost importance but someone was going to die. There was nothing she could do, there wasn’t ever. She was alone, a one woman army, that wouldn’t get her much farther then getting hanged herself.

Leading up against the wall of a passage way she sighed. Someone need her help and all her could do was wait for the screams of there mother. What a great thing she was doing. Asha pulled her sword closer to herself when some guards go by, looking away. Her mask was off her face, but when the time called the raven will swoop in.

[Eve Lovet]

Despite the sun overhead, Eve felt chilled to the bone. Another hanging was scheduled for today at noon. Usually she wouldn't have attended, but she knew the man. Adam had worked with her a few times on the lodge. He came sometimes to drop off food that she'd missed getting in the market. Apparently he was being hanged for stealing from the Sheriff, which Eve didn't believe. She wouldn't. Adam was a good man, someone who had never done a thing wrong. Maybe that's why he's being hung, she thought ruefully. The Sheriff's views on justice were different from everyone else's.

She pulled her hood up and stood as close as she dared to the platform. She wanted to be there for him in the end. He deserved a familiar face. A fear crept up into her stomach that the Sheriff might recognize her, but she pushed it aside as best she could. Today, she needed to be here for Adam.

[Robin Hood]

Robin shifted in his hidden position from where he had an excellent view of the Gallows. His bow and arrows at the ready, the outlaw was just waiting now for the Sheriff's men to bring the prisoner forward for execution. He pulled his hood up to keep the sun from burning his bare neck and also to prevent his eyes being dazzled at the wrong time. Even if the condemned's family hadn't come and begged for his help, Robin would still have mounted the rescue mission. Anything really to gall the Sheriff and to prevent an innocent man from losing his life.

As always, the prospect of a hanging had brought out a good crowd and they surrounded the gallows. Robin couldn't complain though, a decent sized crowd meant that his fellow outlaws had a better chance of blending in. He glanced up at the sun. It was almost mid day surely. Any minute now, the Castle gates would open and the soldiers would bring their captive out.

With all of the townsfolk concentrated in the courtyard, a faint flicker of movement in a passage way caught Robin's attention. Not sure what he'd actually seen, he looked intently into the shadows. The outlaw's jaw dropped. If he hadn't known for sure that Marian was still recuperating in the forest hideaway, he would have sworn that was her in her old guise as the Night Watchman. It was obviously an imposter, a copy cat. "Thats all I need!" Robin muttered, rolling his eyes. "My perfect rescue fouled up by some do-gooder." Putting down his bow, he crept from his hiding place. As he reached the passageway, Robin silently withdrew the knife from his belt. With the speed of a striking snake, the outlaw made his move. With the blade of his knife against the interloper's throat, Robin looked menacingly. "Who are you? Who are YOU?"

[goddess1girl]

Asha was startled suddenly buy the appearance of a knife at her trough. Te person seemed annoyed, anger even and they wanted to know who she was. It was not that odd, but the person was doing it rather discreetly, so they weren’t with the Sheriff that much she knew of. The sounds of the people in the court yard could be heard in the background just like the heavy breathing of the person behind her. Slipping a knife from under her sleeve and pressed it against the mans stomach, Asha replied.”The Raven dear sir. Please I’d rather if you didn’t make a scene.” Being calm as possible when she spoke having no intention of angering whoever this person was more.

Her face could not be seen, just as his couldn’t either, both in a situation where either one could be someone they didn’t need today.”And I don’t know about you but I prefer not having a knife at my troat.”

[Roe]

Sir Rober', otherwise known to the outlaws simply as Roe, had just received a message from the outlaws, from Robin Hood through the hidden compartment in the wall at the Tripp. It was indicated a rescue of someone with a date at the gallows that next day would take place. Roe commanded a small contingent of the castle guard, but by their placement could greatly assist the rescuers in their operation. Knowing for the most part where the outlaws would launch their attack would inform Rope where not to place his men, and also would tell him which gate or passages to leave unguarded to assist i their escape. Roe had no idea how many times failure like this would be tolerated by the Sheriff, but they were all testing the edges of the envelope. What was life without some risk, eh?

As Roe looked out on the grounds of the gallows he saw that there was quite a large crowd. A large crowd had both advantages and disadvantages. It would be easy for the poutlaws to blend in, both before and after the operation. On the negatiove side, it might make things too crowded to make their getaway as fast as they would have liked. In any case, he expected the outlaws to remain hidden until the last possible instant, to maintain the element odf surprise, which was so often of paramount importance in amy military-type operation.

Suddenly though, he saw the figure of Robin Hood .... he could tell more fro the way he walked .... move from his hiding spot. He knew that this was not to the plan, so as Robs passed in fron of him, he followed, just a few steps behind, so attention would not be drawn to him right-off. In looking in the direction that he was walking all he could see was a hooded figure, who had their back to them. Roe was mildly surprised when he saw Robin put a knife-holding hand to the figure's throat, and he heard him clearly ask for them to identify themselves. Equally distinctive, the obviously female voice had responded with Raven. Roe noted that Robin suddenly pulled in his stomach, and he assumed that were in somewhat of a standoff.

Roe could easily see that a simple rescue mission could rapidly come apart, with the leader of the rescue suddenly pinned down by an unknown quantity. Despite the risk to his cover being blown he figured he had to act before things really went wrong. "You will find, 'Raven', that he will identify himself at his own leisure if he should so choose to. However, I know him and I know him well, but I can't the same for you. I would suggest that if you are currently are holding any weapons on him that you withdraw them, and you peacefully com with him wherever he desires to take you. Perhaps, if you are so inclined, you can assist him and his men in their mission of mercy. If not, if you attempt harm in any way, I as a captain of the Sheriff's Guard swear to you, you shall surely die. And I speak as a person of extensive experience in bringing death to others."

[Eve Lovet]

Eve tugged at her sleeve nervously, her eyes trained on the doors. She was determined to be there for Adam, she was going let him know that she was here. Seconds ticked by, the sun reaching its highest point and still the doors remained shut. Murmurs filled the courtyard, mostly of worry or concern, some of sheer gossip. But above these mumbles, Eve heard another voice, a deep one rumbled through the crowd. She couldn't place where it was coming from, or even what it was saying, but it caught her attention. The voice was calm and steady, a staggering difference from her wild pulse, but held authority. She was about to search the crowd for its owner when the fanfare started. Her heart dropped to her stomach at the sound. The entire courtyard stood still, waiting for the man to be brought forward. With baited breath, Eve stood among them, wishing and praying the world would have mercy on Adam.

[Allan A'Dale]

Allan had been holding his own position in the crowd, carefully watching the throng of people as they milled about aimlessly, waiting for the condemned to be brought out to meet their fate.

As he scanned the faces of the multitude he wondered idly why so many still turned out for hangings whilst they were still becoming more frequent. Personally, he preferred to avoid them. Once you'd had a noose around your own neck, it was less of a spectacle and more of a grim reminder.

He heard a low challenge in a voice that was too familiar, and looked to his right. Surely Robin hadn't left his position now of all times?

But he had. Allan couldn't even see him anymore - at least at first. Craning his neck awkwardly, he caught sight of a hooded figure pinning another against a wall. Had to be Robin, surely.

For half a minute, he debated. Should he stay where he was, make sure that the rescue went off?

No, he decided. If Robin was in serious trouble, then saving the prisoner today would do no good.

He stepped from his own shadowed doorway and slipped through the massed bodies, trying to hurry without looking like he was. He was about to duck into the narrow alley between the buildings when from almost out of nowhere Roe appeared, a few steps ahead of him. Well, that sealed it. Had to be Robin there then.

Roe jumped straight in, feet first. Seemed like it was Robin who was doing the threatening for a change. But one word that Roe said caused him to intervene.

"Whoa, whoa, whoa, lads. Steady on just one second. This young lady's on our side."

If it really was Asha under there, instead of someone just using her name as a cover, anyway.

"Well, I'm pretty sure, anyway," he covered hastily. "Me an' the Raven have already made our aqaintance."

[goddess1girl]

This other man who approached only made Asha press the knife closer, it was not cutting the fabric, but a warning none the less. He spoke to her in a child like manner and Asha was no child. ”Well good sir I do have to say that I can handle myself rather well so I will take anything you throw at me.” Challenging him, only knowing she was going to get herself into a bigger trouble then she was already in.

Asha smiled at the sight of Allen approaching, moving the knife away from the man, who now she started to think was Robin or at least one pf his men. ”It’s nice to see a friendly face here, good to see you again Allen. ” It was good to see this familiar face, at least now she could worm her way out of this because of her rather large mouth. She always did have a problem with thinking before speaking.

[Robin Hood]

Robin waited a split second, until Asha had removed her knife before he followed suit and removed his blade from her throat. Sheathing the knife, Robin looked at Allan. "So you didn't think to mention that there was somebody new in town?" He asked, the recrimination clear in his voice but, even as he spoke, the outlaw shook his head. "We'll talk about this later." Robin then turned back to Asha. "My apologies, Raven. My name is Robin Hood and you've interrupted a rescue mission. Allan, seeing as you know her, she's your responsibility until we've pulled this off."

Having given his orders, Robin turned to Roe. "I'm sorry, my friend, but if we're seen together, then your cover is compromised. I take it all the preparations are in hand if we need an escape route?" Just then, the bell began to toll and the sound of the Castle gates creaking open could be heard.

Robin indicated for Allan and Asha to follow him, then set off at a heck of a pace back to his hiding place. Grabbing up his bow and arrows, the outlaw readied his bow and watched the proceedings. The plan had been to strike when the guards had got Adam to the Gallows. Robin's eyes flickered over the crowd. Somewhere, amongst that lot, his friends were ready and waiting.

[Roe]

Roe kept his eyes focused on the stranger and Robin to see who would make the first move. Knowing Robin he did not expect him to make a move until 'Raven' did. Roe did not have a great deal of trust for this unknown character, even with Allan's vote of confidence. Whether she was good or not, they just didn't need any more complications in a rescue attempt that had been going smoothly until the last 60 seconds or so.

Fortunately, it appeared that the potential combattants had both removed their weapons from a threatening position and had backed off, at least slightly. It was easy to see that Robin was not too pleased by the lack of prior knowledge of the 'Raven' from Allan. Once Robin had put Allan in charge of the newcomer he had turned to Roe and said:

"I'm sorry, my friend, but if we're seen together, then your cover is compromised. I take it all the preparations are in hand if we need an escape route?"

Roe quickly gave him a nod and said "You must have me mistaken with someone else, friend," and with a small smile withdrew to his previous position, as the bell sounded, and the prisoner was brought toward the gallows. "Well, this is bound to be as close-run a thing as I'll ever want to witness here .... the best of luck to you all, my friends," he said quietly to himself, as he gave his guards their final orders that left the south gate totally unguarded.

[Eve Lovet]

When the gates swung open, Eve's hand clutched at her gut. Seeing Adam led out, chained like some animal made her sick. She pulled her hood back and smiled at him, touching his hand for a brief moment before he passed. She fixed the smile on her face as he was led up to the platform. She moved so she was closer to the front and turned her face up to his. They could both see each other clearly now and she kept sending him reassuring grins.
"God speed," she whispered sadly.

[Allan A'Dale]

Allan raised his hands, palms outwards, as Robin berated him.

"Well, in my defence she's not exactly new, Asha's been around Nottingham for a fair old while."

Robin was distracted though, re-thinking his plan. Allan pulled a vaguely apologetic face and waited for the verdict.

The bells tolled, and there was no more time for debate. Robin didn't waste any time, dashing off without so much as another word. Allan grabbed Asha's wrist and nodded his head in the same direction.

"Come on then, hope you're feeling up to it!" he said to her, before running after Robin and dragging her along behind.

They found cover fairly easily, close enough to Robin to communicate.

[Robin Hood]

As the condemned man stumbled up onto the platform, the executioner was standing there waiting, his face hidden by his black hood. In his hand, the executioner held the noose which would go around Adam's neck. Robin took three arrows from his quiver and notched them to his bow. Carefully, he took aim, lining up his sight of the hangman's rope, then he lowered the bow and eased the pressure on the bowstring.

Seeing the prisoner's fear etched on his face, the hangman growled a deep belly laugh and, without ceremony, frogmarched him to the bench and forced him to get up onto it. The executioner placed the noose over Adam's head, pulling the knot firmly so it hung around his neck. This completed, the drummer twirled his drumsticks and beat a tattoo on the drumskin. The hangman lifted his foot, ready to kick the bench out from under Adam's feet.

The time was here. Robin could feel his heart beating faster as the adrenalin coarsed through his veins. Standing up, he raised his bow and with a flurry of movement, loosened the arrows which sliced through the air. There was a thunk, thunk, thunk, as the arrows sliced through the rope then embedded themselves in the wooden beam of the gallows just as the executioner kicked out at the bench. Adam fell, but instead of doing the gallows jig, he hit the wooden boards with his knees, slightly winded but alive nonetheless.

A gasp rose from the crowd as they, and the Sheriff's guards, turned to see where the arrows had appeared from. Robin stood up, dramatically sillouetted against the sun. He raised his bow in a salute and many amongst the crowd started to cheer. Then, waving his bow from left to right, the outlaw gave the signal for his men to move forward and grab Adam so they could make their escape.

For once, the Sheriff's men were on the ball and they advanced with their swords drawn. Robin reached for his own sword and released it from its scabbard. He was up for a good fight!

[Allan A'Dale]

As the drumbeat began, Allan fought a wave of sudden nausea. He'd been stood in the same place as the poor sod up on the gallows, and once you'd heard them drumming for you it was something not easily forgotten.

Robin's shots were bang on target; at least one thing that they never had to worry about. The condemned man fell to the wooden platform, landing awkwardly but largely unscathed.

Robin made himself visible, doing his 'I'm the big hero' bit and Allan turned to Asha.

"That's our cue. We've got to get him out of there, sharpish."

He unsheathed his two blades and sprinted from his hiding place, doing his best to avoid as many guards as possible and make it to the gallows. The Sheriff's men were unusually compentent though; almost immediately he found himself face-to-face with a mailed soldier and ducked to miss his wild opening stroke, managing to jab his sword tip into the guard's right thigh. His leg gave out almost immediately - a lucky strike - and Allan gave him a kick to the ribs for good measure as he fell. Wasn't gonna kill him, after all. There were a few more soldiers between him and the gallows yet though. He chanced a glance over his shoulder to see how Asha was faring.

[goddess1girl]

Ok so Asha had now met the infamous Robin Hood and was now forced into the hands of Allen. Not that it was a bad thing but she could clearly take care of herself. She was planning to do a rescue mission, but it was a little easier with more people, but it was still her idea first. Though they did do the whole rescuing thing long before her. But she did not want to be looked after, Asha was no child.

The chaos of the mission started once Robin shot the arrow with freed dear Adam Making himself a little icon in front of the whole crowd of people. She fallowed Allen were ever he went like a lost puppy. She nodded when Allen said that it was their cue, he was use to this while Asha was use to working alone. Well he was after all the Robin Hood. Asha sighed as she herself unsheathed her blade ready for action.

Even as Allen headed for the gallows Asha fallowed, kicking the men down as then came for her. Then she was suddenly thrown to the floor and the was a guard nearly on top of her. Kicking him in the spot when the sun don’t sun, she grabbed a rock . Just as Asha stood up Allen looked at her. With the stone in her hand, she wiped it at the man behind Allen before he was struck down.

”Watch your back.”She said with a smile.