To the Gallows (outlaws/open)

[Allan A'Dale]

As he turned to look back at Asha a missile shot past his ear; so fast that by the time he'd even thought about ducking it had brained the goon behind him. He looked down at the unconcious soldier incredulously then back at Asha, a wide grin on his face. This one could definitely handle herself. Pretty impressive.

"Nice one," he told her thankfully before making a second surge for the gallows.

The guards were everywhere now, but the streets were crowded with people who'd turned up to gawp at the execution. Soulless, it was. Who wanted to watch someone else hang?

Still, the masses were aiding them now. Too many hooded and cloaked figures were milling about in the confusion and Robin had drawn most of the attention, as per. Another soldier was fighting his way towards them through the crowd, shoving people out of his path in his haste to reach the outlaws.

Allan lifted his left blade high, deflecting the interloper's first stroke, and prepared to deliver a disabling blow to the guard's shoulder. But a woman stumbled into the way at the last moment; it was all he could do to pull his arm back in time. Deftly, he shoved the sword in his right hand back into its scabbard and grabbed her upper arm with his newly free hand, pulling her away and hissed at her: "What are you doing? Got a death wish or somethin'?"

The soldier hadn't let up, either; he was barely able to parry the blows being rained down upon his left side.

With civilians out of the way and able to fully concentrate on the task at hand finally, Allan feinted to his left and kicked the guard hard in the knee as he clumsily fell for the fairly elementary gambit. He gave the soldier a couple of cursory pokes with his sword, just to make sure he wasn't getting back up, and pressed onwards. They weren't far from their goal now; he sprinted a few final yards and finally made it to the foot of the gallows steps.

[Robin Hood]

Robin ran for the stairs, his sword at the ready. Three guards were ascending the stone steps and he fell on them with his sword raised and let loose a yell. Riposte, attack, the outlaw forced his combatants back, gaining a footing a step at a time. One of the guards slipped, falling back into his companion, causing them both to fall down the steps. That left one guard facing Robin. The outlaw grinned as he parried a heavy blow. "Come on, my friend," Robin taunted, "You can do better than that!" Putting all his strength behind his blade, the outlaw pushed back causing the guard to unbalance. Robin's sword sliced into the guard's side and he crumpled to the ground.

Stepping over the body, Robin prepared for the next wave of attack. It wasn't long in coming and he soon found himself busy with his back up against the castle wall as he fended off another guard. A wave of pain shot through Robin as his opponent got in a lucky sword blow to the outlaw's thigh. Dark red blood immediately started to stain his trous and Robin clamped his hand to the wound to stay the blood. Grimacing, Robin stepped forwards and head butted the guard, felling him like a tree.

He leaned against the stone wall to catch his breath then gazed down at his wound. Already, Robin's hand was red with blood and it started to drip down his leg, pooling on the ground by his boot. By the looks of things, the guard had nicked the artery in his leg. It could have been a lot worse. If it had been sliced through, then Robin would be dead by now. But what he needed, more than anything, was immediate assistance before he lost too much more blood.

Robin glanced around the courtyard. All of the outlaws were engaged in the attack to free Adam. The townsfolk were moving like frightened cattle, getting in the way of the guards and the outlaws as they tried to flee. He was on his own and he had to get away from the court yard immediately before he was recognised and seized by the Sheriff's men. Slowly, breathing hard, Robin edged his way along the wall with one hand, the other still holding his sword in case of attack. Reaching the entrance to an alley, the outlaw leader moved into the shadows, still looking for help.

Behind him lay a trail of small drops of blood, scarlet in the dirt.

[Tuck]

Tuck had been separated for several days from Robin and the gang. He had been exploring Nottingham, and meaning to drop by the Priory and have a little visit with Sister Mags. So he had not been informed of either the imminent execution that was to take place at the gallows, nor more importantly perhaps, the outlaws attempts to foiil the proceedings. However, as soon as Tuck heard the public prononcements about what was to happen later in the day, he knew that it would be too tempting a rescue for Robin to resist.

Tuck also knew that it was extremely likely if the the otlaws were nearby, and he had evry reason to believe that they were. Tuck quickly left a message for Sister Mags to expect him later for a vist, and once he had left it he moved steadily toward the public square and the gallows. Tuck took up a position where he figured Robin would pass in front of him on his way to the assaullt of the gallows that he would undoubtedly leave. Tuck imagined that he would simply observe a stealthy operation begin to develop. However, to his surprise he saw Robin come out of hiding and take hold of a figure that Tuck did not recognize.

Quickly Tuck saw Roe and Allan join Robin. That soothed Tuck's nerves a bit, since he knew Roe was working undercover in the castle, and using his guards might have an alternate escape route set up should it be needed. Tuck saw Robin and his group get back to their place in the shadows just as the prisoner was brought outside. Just as the prisoner finished ascending the steps was when all hell broke loose. However, Tuck figured he was most valuable watching over the action and not participating .... yet. He saw Robin descend the steps and quickly dispatch 3 of the guards.

However, there were more waves to come, who were happy to engage with Robin, forcefully. This time Robin was not so lucky, and Tuck could easily see the leg wound that Robin had sustained. He quickly leveled the guard who had dealt him the bloody blow, but he was not in good shape, and might even be considered to be a sitting duck. Tuck watched as Robin leaned back against the stone wall to both collect himself and catch a breathing spell. However, his situation was too preecarious to stay there for long. And now Tuck saw a lone soldier trying to sneak upo the stone steps, and Tuck knew he would be able to take advantage of Robin's weakened state.

Tuck knew he would have to move quickly to reach Robin before the guard did. Tuck rapidly bounded up the steps, and the guard was concentyrating to much on sneaking up the steps to notice the rapidly approaching friar. Robin had just reached the entrance to an alley, when he noticed the guard jus behind him, but Robin was woefully out of position to parry any thrust. Fortunately Tuck arrived in time to insert his short sword just beneath the guard's 5th rib.

"Come Robin, this is the right alley to escape into to reach the Priory. You'll be safe there, but in the meantime you'll need someone to protect your flank who knows the way quite well, as well as this." Tuck threw Robin a quick smile, tore a from his cloak a section of material that he wrapped around Robin's thigh, making a tourniquet. "That will be a temporary fix, my son, let's get you to safety and some better medical attention than I can provide, eh?" Quickly, using his boots, Tuck covered Robin's blood with dirt, hoping as well that the tourniquet would stop the flow of blood long enough to hide the path they had taken.

[Allan A'Dale]

Allan looked up at the gallows ahead of him. Luckily, the majority of Sheriff's men had scattered from their sentry posts; the chance to be the one to catch Robin Hood was clearly too good to pass up for most of them. Speak of the devil, where is he? wondered Allan, casting his gaze left and right to no avail.

He looked over to the stone steps of the castle, the last place he'd seen the outlaw, but no sign there either. Allan shook his head. Robin was a big boy, after all. There was a poor sod sat in a crumpled heap on the gallows, still hooded and vainly awaiting rescue. Adam had to be his number one priority now, especially since there was no one else to draw the fire of the remaining guards whilst Robin was off doing...whatever he was doing.

Glancing once over his shoulder to check Asha was still in one piece, he began his assault on the rickety wooden steps of the gallows. Only two guards remained on the hastily erected platform aside from the hangman himself, and Allan doubted that the executioner would put up much of a fight.

Not for the first time, Allan wondered why Vaisey didn't bother to make a more permanent structure for the gallows as he struggled to keep his footing on the swaying steps. The man seemed utterly in love with the idea of hanging anyone that got in his way, and this woodern version was getting less and less stable. As the first guard rushed him he had to jerk his head back hard to avoid the whistling tip of the blade, and the sudden movement almost threw him off balance immediately. He teetered on his heels for a second, desperately trying not to fall backwards and flatten Asha, who was probably still right behind him.

Luck, for once, was on his side and after what felt like minutes he regained control of his reeling body and crouched momentarily, swinging his right swordarm only a couple of inches above the floor level of the gallows dais. It connected with a crunch that Allan felt more than he heard, biting into the ankle of the guard attacking him.

He winced in almost-sympathy at the sickening sound but shoved the stricken soldier off the raised wooden floor nonetheless. The hangman was already backing away nervously from his prisoner and the final soldier seemed to have been called away by some other pressing engagement; it was just him and the hooded man remaining.

He snatched the rough cloth from the condemned man's head and gave him a cursory examination. Apart from the usual cuts and bruises one tended to sustain in captivity, no obvious major damage.

"Are you alright?" Allan asked the man hurriedly; "can you walk?"

[goddess1girl]

Guards were everywhere, and you only prayed you didn’t hit one of your own as you swung your blade. Asha was ducking a dodging the man as they swung trying to hit her, knocking over and injuring any that dare approach her. She bet that if she wasn’t wearing a mask all the men would go easy on her, but where’s the fun in that?

She laughed as one fell from a mere scratch on the arm, men were so cowardly, maybe that’s why this one worked for the Sheriff. Just then from the corner of her eye, Asha managed to catch a glimpse of Robin who seemed injured. He was holding his leg, only meaning that it was hurt. Robin seemed weakened now; there was no more use of his unless they wanted him dead. The gang would be running around like a headless chicken now because they had a wounded leader.

A man reached Robin before Asha had time to react, fast this man was. Treating the wounds with whatever her seemed to have, meaning Robin was now out of the fight. But that wasn’t her concern at the moment. So Asha tailed behind Allen as best she could taking out the men fro Allen that were coming from behind. As her friend came the stairs, she let a sigh at there uneasy state. Allen was wobbling as he headed up the stairs, and Asha only prayed he didn’t fall back on her. Not only would it hurt, but a bit of an awkward scene too. Showing her hand in front of her, if Allen did fall, she could probably push him back up saving her butt.

Allen seemed to have succeeded in getting Adam, an she smiled for that but remembered Robin a bit later..”Carry him if you have too. Robins in a bit of trouble.”

[Eve Lovet]

Eve was pushed and pulled through the crowd as Robin and his gang made their fight. While Robin had rescued Adam, she had been pushed to almost the other end of the courtyard.

"Adam!" she yelled as she pushed useless through the throngs of people. "ADAM!" Was nobody going to help him? He was just lying there, that bloody hood still covering his face. He probably couldn't breathe. She ran through the crowd, pushing and shoving people aside, just to get to him.

"Adam?" she asked, approaching the platform. A man jumped up and began pulling at him, tugging at his arm.

"What are you doing!? Get away!" Eve jumped up and pushed in vain to get the man away. She ripped the hood off of Adam's head and gave a sob when she saw he was alright. A fight broke out to her left, but she couldn't care. "C'mon," she told him gently.
"Who are you?!" she asked to two people near her while she was helping Adam to stand. He was wobbly, but could manage if someone helped him.

[Allan A'Dale]

As he pulled at Adam's arm, trying to get him to stand, Asha was right behind him, hurrying him on urgently. His blood ran cold as his brain caught up with his ears. Robin in trouble? Oh god, that made matters a lot more complicated.

Still, Asha knew where their leader was at least, and they could cross that bridge when they came to it. Right now a blonde woman was shoving at him, yelling questions. Obviously she knew the man he was attempting to rescue. He put a hand to her arm, trying to calm her down.

"It's alright, we're with Robin Hood," he told her; "we're here for the same thing you are. Can you help him up? If you can make sure he's ok, me and the Raven can hopefully get you out of here in one piece."
And find out what the hell's happened to Robin he thought grimly.

[Eve Lovet]

"Robin Hood?" Eve managed finally. Robin Hood meant Much. She nodded at the man and put one of Adam's arms around her shoulders. "I'll be fine, I've got somewhere for him. Whatever you need, I can help," she told him, hoisting Adam up further. His head lolled a bit, but she blamed the excitement of it all. "I've got him," she said as she began walking down the rickety steps.
"Come on Adam, we're going to see Jess. She'll have a nice broth going for you when you get back alright, so just bloody walk." She urged him as gently as possible through the busy crowd and looked at the blond for instructions. "We'll never make it out of here like this,"

[Robin Hood]

Robin was powerless to do anything as he watched Tuck dispose of the guard who approached his hiding place. "Well you're a sight for sore eyes," the outlaw joked weakly, his hand now red with blood from his wound. As soon as Tuck applied the tourniquet, Robin morbidly prodded the wound. He looked up when his friend suggested continuing onto the Priory. Robin got slowly to his feet and, using his bow as a walking stick, lumbered down the alley. "Much as I would like to call upon the good Sisters, Tuck," he breathed heavily. "By now, the Sheriff and Gibsorne will know I'm injured and that'll be the first place they look for me. I can't put those nuns in unneccessary danger."

Robin leaned against the alley wall and looked skywards as he tried to rally the strength to continue whilst blocking out the pain. "The Trip." He finally replied. "Help me to the Trip, then fetch your friend." Robin held out his arm. "And I'm going to need your help to walk there, my friend." He smiled grimly.

Then, with Tuck's support, Robin found his last ounce of strength and together they proceeded slowly towards the Trip Inn. "When we get there, you go in and secure a room upstairs," Robin instructed. "Later, I'm going to need you to get word to the outlaws." He glanced back towards the court yard. The sound of fighting, although quieter, could still be heard. Robin bit his lip, silently cursing his stupidity. How he wished he was back there with his friends, putting up a good fight.

[Allan A'Dale]

Allan looked the pair of them up and down. The man was just about upright, but the woman seemed to be managing alright with him. It'd have to do; hanging around wasn't going to help matters.

He called over to Asha: "Raven! I need you to stick behind them, alright? Stay as close to their backs as possible. We're going to have to stay pretty sharp for this."

Taking a deep breath to steady himself, he addressed the blonde woman. "And I need you to follow me, as near as you can. The tighter we all are, the safer we'll be. Keep your eyes and ears open, and if there's something I need to know, don't be afraid to shout. Understand?"


He waited for her acknowledgement, but kept his eyes on the crowd. From their elevated position, he had an ideal view to plan their escape route. If they kept to the right, they could be lost in the tight alleyways much faster. But they were too visible up on the gallows and the Sheriff's forces were beginning to regroup. He tried a simple ruse, and prayed.

Turning to the group behind him, he pointed to their right, nice and obviously, whilst muttering "Left; go left, alright?"

A guard already had a foot on the first step of the gallows; Allan ran forwards and kicked out a foot, connecting with the heavy helmet with a dull ringing thump. He looked back at the three behind him. "Are you ready?"

[Eve Lovet]

Eve nodded at Allan's request to keep her eyes open. "Of course," she said hastily, her hand snapped out to catch Adam's drooping head. When he pointed to the right but told her left, she nodded twice, grinning when she saw a bunch of soldiers jerk in the direction of his hand. With a small grunt, she lifted Adam a bit more and faced the other person on the stage.
"Ready?" she asked, ready to get Adam to a bed.

[Tuck]

Tuck could see the pain on Robin's face that was both physical and emotional as Tuck removed the most recent and immediate threat to Robin's continued existence. "Better late than never I suppose, especially in the predicament that you find yourself, my son and friend," the newest outlaw rejoined back to him. "Besides, isn't this the best test for the rookie outlaw, to rescue the leader of all the outlaws," he chuckled.

As they began to slowly move away from the action, down the alley, Tuck saw Robin inspecting the wound now that the blood flow had slowed and almost stopped. His reasoning against the Priory seemed to make sense. There was no reason to put the Sisters in in unnecessary danger. "Then, what do you suggest, Robin," he asked.

Tuck was not sure the Tripp would be that much better, In his opinion the faster he got him to the forest the better off he would be. After all, if the Priory was the first place they would look, the Tripp Inn would not be far down the list. "I will send for her once we arrive, and I will carry you the rest of the way if needs must."

Tuck followed Robin's instructions to the letter. If nothing else, Tuck was quite a meticulous and particular fellow. "We'll leave a message for Roe in the wall, Robin, he will get word to them, by his own horse if necessary to summon the outlaws to your aid. By the way, the overall rescue attempt, from my vantage point seemed to be going well, and I trust that Roe was to provide a safe escape route, eh?" Once they reached the Tripp, Roe arranged a room on the upper floor as far back as he could get it, but one with an escape route as well.

[Robin Hood]

ooc: I'm moving the story with Robin and Tuck to the Trip now. However, please continue with the thread here.

[Allan A'Dale]

[Ooc - yes sir! Thread will continue as actioned!

On that note, I propose we hang on for Asha to get back, she's away this weekend but hopefully she will be back soon; I've had many thread suspensions due to my absence and I feel the need to pay it forward; I was very grateful. Also I think Asha is due back tomorrow...? Sorry, rambling.]

[goddess1girl]

ooc-sorry for short response

Asha looked around at the chaos at her feet, men of Robin’s gang to civilian to the castle guard. She kicked any who tried to pull her down from under with a shot to the face. Allen seemed to have control of the four of them and nodded when he told them to go left. It seemed like he wanted them to go to an alleyway, easier for a quick escape she figured. Asha nodded in response to Allen .

Asha let Adam had the other woman go first ,seeing as she could protect them from behind. Hopefully this would all end soon.