A fair swap [Tuck, Mags, Robin etc]

[Tuck]

Tuck had been watching and listening to the the exchanges between the other 3 quite intently. It was obvious that Mags #1 concern was Robin's continued recovery, an she had no patience with this scheme they were devising. Tuck found the news about Bronte that Allan had brought to be interesting. Tuck had not the personal knowledge of Bronte that Robin apparently had, but all that Tuck had heard of him paralleled what Robin had related. This man had a reputation, at any rate, as an opportunist, and Tuck had no doubt that his sudden appearance in Nottingham was not good news. "If you don't mind Allan, and since Mags doesn't probably need my assistance with Robin now, it might be a good idea for me to accompany you. I know that you like to work alone, when you can, but it might be a good idea to have one to divert attention while you are placing the message for Roe, as well as to have another who knows where the hiding place is."

[Allan A'Dale]

Allan nodded when Tuck finally spoke up. Everything he'd said made sense, and the priest had seemed to be a lot less annoying in recent weeks, at any rate. "I can't say a spare body not being useful," he agreed. "Especially if I'll have someone to watch my back. Passing messages in secret places can be pretty damn awkward; it's difficult to make sure you're not being watched. If you get caught hanging around exactly the same spot too often people are gonna twig what you're up to. Or at least get suspicious and start trying to find out. Both of those things we really don't need. Also, I'm gonna need you, Tuck, because I only know a few letters and most of them are in my name. If we're gonna leave Roe a note, we better make sure he can actually read it."

[Tuck]

Tuck was glad to see that Allan wasn't totally repulsed by him anymore. He actually seemed to weigh the words that he said carefully. Tuck thought that it might even be possible that Allan realized that Tuck had probably saved Robin's life by bringing him here as quickly as he had. To top it all off, Allan seemed to indicate that Roe's suggestions made some sense.

"Yes you are obviously more comfortable in that setting, but I think, just my presence might be enough to draw everyone's attention from you, Allan, at least for a few moments, and that should be all you'll need. Anyway ..... I don't think the problem is writing the note. I think Robin here will want to dictate it to either Mags or myself. The problem for you, may be finding someone to read the response when Roe writes back. You'll have to bring it back here or locate me or somebody else that's trustworthy and who can read."

[Allan A'Dale]

Allan grimaced. He hadn't even thought about who was going to read the reply. "Oh yeah, you're right. Well, unless I run into Djaq then I expect it'll be you. You'll be here, yeah? I suppose even if you're not lovely Mags here can help me out. Here makes more sense, there's always gonna be someone here that can read. I'm gonna try and come back here as little as possible, obviously. Up here, anyway. I'll come to the pub as often as I usually do; don't want anyone getting suspicious, but don't expect me to be popping up to see you guys every time, 'cos that's gonna look funny. So I'll come back when I've got a reply, but don't expect to see me before then. Tuck knows where to come and find me at the camp anyway, if there's something urgent you need to let me know."

[Sister Magdalene]

"Get away with you!" Magdalene flapped her hessian apron at Allan. "Have some respect, young man. I'm old enough to be your mother and I'm a Daughter of Christ." She added indignantly, but couldn't keep her face stern enough for long. A smile played on her thin lips. "But seriously, if you need to get a message to either Robin or myself, then you can send it by the Inn's Landlord. He's a trustworthy fellow. I'd stake my life on it." The nun added, turning back to Robin to make sure that the outlaw had finished his sleeping draught. Sure enough, his eyelids were getting lower. Robin murmured something unintelligible, but the drug took effect and his head flopped to one side.

The good Sister took a couple of steps closer to Tuck and Allan. "If I can get him to stay still long enough, I can get him healed." She whispered, jabbing her thumb in Robin's direction. "Hopefully, it won't be as long a job as we'd first anticipated. The wound is healing well and if there's no infection then I suspect he will be up and about within the month. Although he won't be able to do anything too strenuous, such as horse riding or running for a while longer." Mags gave a tired sigh. "Go now, and may God be with you."

[Tuck]

Tuck could not help himself but smile at the exchange between Allan and Mags. It took Tuck back to a time when he he and Mags were both younger and without great responsibility. "Believe it or not Allan, once both Sister Mags and myself, were once even younger than you are now, with the ability to talk back to people who were in authority. We did not cross the line of legal and not, as you do, but don't let the Sister's holier than thou attitude fool you too much. It would be best, though, to pay close attention to her advice, whenever she chooses to give it." Tuck was glad to see her medication taking effect. the one thing that would do Robin the mos good, after all was rest.

Whenever she wanted to get a point across in an exceptionally clear way, Tuck knew that she shortened her distance with her intended target. Tuck knew that she had quite a bit of confidence in her own abilities, especially when it came to healing. "That, Allan, is the good Sister's not-so-subtle way of telling us that if we just don't get him in dangerous situations or don't help him press his recovery time too much than she will have him recover quite nicely. She doesn't care for Robin's little plan of going out and doing a meet-and-greet too favorably. Sometimes, though, even she she has to realize that there is a difference between the ideal world and the practicalities of the real world. I know you don't like it Mags, but Robin's instructions will have to be followed ..... to the letter .... understood?! It is my hope that he looks after all of God's children."