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Post by Jordyn on Jan 6, 2014 13:36:16 GMT -5
Sue Locksley smiled under her bandanna. It had been a good night for stealing from the nobles of Castle Araluen. They had to much of what they had, she took what they didn't need and gave it to the poor. Dawn was beginning to rise in the eastern horizon. Curfew. She need to get out of this costume before she got caught. The slight jingle of a harness warned her of an incoming traveler. As the person rode closer, she saw the distinctive blue cape of Couriers, and smiled again. She pulled her long bow out and loosened two arrows, taking out the courier's guards. She stepped in front of her and said the-now famous- words of The Night Watchman. "This is an ambush. A little from you could be a lot for the poor of Araluen!"
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Kallie
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Post by Kallie on Jan 6, 2014 13:57:09 GMT -5
Olivia was riding along and yawned hugely, she disliked early mornings but she had important business and it needed to get done, her horse Mara gave a startled whinny when arrows flew out of nowhere and hit her two guards toppling them from the saddle. She gave a small cry of surprise and tried to retain her seat as Mara reared back in fear. "Down girl! It's ok!" she said trying to soothe the girl, as Maras hooves touched the ground Olivia kept tight hold of the reigns to keep her from bolting in a panic. She stroked the horses neck. "Sh, sh its ok girl sh, stay calm its ok." she said soothingly. It seemed to work Mara calmed down she trust her mistress. She pranced a little as a figure stood in the middle of the road blocking her way.
She stepped in front of her and said the-now famous- words of The Night Watchman. "This is an ambush. A little from you could be a lot for the poor of Araluen!"
Olivia stared at the figure she had heard of this Night Watchman. Her gaze was not scared it was defiant and mad. "Excuse me?" she said a little angrily. "You kill my friends stop a Diplomatic Courier and expect me to do what you want? Well today must not be your lucky day then, because I don't have any money. I never carry money I'm not stupid."
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Post by Jordyn on Jan 6, 2014 14:05:56 GMT -5
Sue sighed quietly. "I know many people who'd pay to have the plans of King Duncan." She said. She gestured with her bow. "Off the horse." A diplomatic courier, with no money? Emily thought, walking closer to the couriers dead conpainions. "I'd bet they have money," She said, picking up one of the men's pureses. The bag was heavy and she smiled. "So he does." She looked inside. The gold in there glittered back at her. She pocketed the purse. She walked to the other man and found the same thing. "Taxes, I presume." She said quietly. Louder she said: This is where I make my leave. Thank you for your generous donation!"
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Kallie
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Post by Kallie on Jan 6, 2014 14:33:59 GMT -5
Olivia didn't grace that order with a comment let alone obey it. She sat atop her horse and glared as the Night Watchman robbed her friends of what little money they had. It had been the money they were going to use to buy a room at an inn on their journey and to buy food of course. Olivia couldn't exactly stop them either, she had no weapons and the Watchman did, the most she could do was kick the Night Watchmen but they never came close enough for her to do that.
This is where I make my leave. Thank you for your generous donation!"
Olivia forced herself to keep a level head and said nothing to the Night Watchmen as they walked off with the money that had once been her friends. She hoped that the Night Watchmen fell in a hole and died. But of course didn't say that instead she called after him her voice dripping with Sarcasm. "You are very welcome. Anything to help."
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Post by Jordyn on Jan 6, 2014 14:42:20 GMT -5
At the castle Emily sighed as she listened to Oliva's story over coffee later that morning. "You say the Watchman robbed you, and killed your escort?" She asked. She had heard the same story from other nobles who had been robbed by the Night Watchman. He was the Corps' number one priority at the moment, but every time they went after him, he disappeared. "Your not the only one." She told her friend pushing over a folder on the Watchman. "We think he might be part of the new gang that popped up after the war. Call themselves Robin Hood. Supposedly that's the name of their leader, a former noble." Emily took a sip of coffee. "They're as damned good as escaping tight spots as the Mouse. It's a wonder she hasn't joined their gang."
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Kallie
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Post by Kallie on Jan 6, 2014 14:55:32 GMT -5
Olivia shook her head a little and sipped at her coffee she was still trying to come to terms with her friends death.
"You say the Watchman robbed you, and killed your escort?" She asked.
Olivia nodded. "Yes we were on the road just as the sun was rising we wanted to reach the next village by sunset. Out of nowhere two arrows came and hit them killing them instantly. It isn't fair Emily. She had no reason to kill them. I just, I just can't believe that they are gone. I should have been more insistent that I go alone, they'd be alive if I had just gone by myself." she took another sip of coffee, Olivia didn't quite look like herself, she had circles under her eyes and there was a sad look on her face. Olivia had dealt with death before of course but they had never been as close to her as her two escorts had been.
"Your not the only one." She told her friend pushing over a folder on the Watchman. "We think he might be part of the new gang that popped up after the war. Call themselves Robin Hood. Supposedly that's the name of their leader, a former noble."
Olivia took the folder and opened it her eyes scanning the contents. "A former noble sounds like a reasonable assumption it does help explain why they would specifically target nobles and not simple travelers. Well mostly nobles anyway."
"They're as damned good as escaping tight spots as the Mouse. It's a wonder she hasn't joined their gang."
Olivia looked up. "The Mouse? I think I'd rather have a run in with her again than the Watchmen. At least she had the decency to only wound my escort before robbing us, she didn't kill the on the spot. I've heard of Mouse quite often from other rangers but it sounds like mostly she's a loner I don't think we have to worry much about her joining the Robin Hood gang. Well if she does then things might get even worse if the possibly could anyway." Olivia sighed this whole thing was just awful. "Well at least my documents were delivered safe but I might stay here for a couple more days the Night Watchmen might have moved on so I can go home safe. Although." she paused and took another big drink of coffee. "Norgate is a long way from here. A lot could happen between here and Norgate."
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Post by Jordyn on Jan 6, 2014 15:06:11 GMT -5
Emily nodded sadly. She reached over and patted Oliva's shoulder. "Your not going alone. We need to catch that damned Night Watchman before he robs again." -------- In the forest outside the castle Robin Hood and his gang were meeting. They heard the footsteps and then their password: "Duncan is a fool." And they knew it was Sue. They let her in and she dropped the bags of money on the ground in front of her. "Courier's guard's money." She said. "200silver royals." She said. Enough for half of Seacliff Fief." Much smiled. "Good work." He said. "But how-" "That's for her to know," Allan A Dale said. "And you to find out." Sue turned to Robin. "What do ya think?"
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Kallie
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Post by Kallie on Jan 6, 2014 15:12:59 GMT -5
Olivia looked up at Emily and smiled sadly but there was gratitude in her eyes. "Yes, he does need to be found and locked behind bars." Olivia agreed.
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Robin Hood scratched his chin as he looked at Sue. His eyes narrowed a bit. "Sue I thought we had discussed this before. No robbing officials of the kingdom! You are an idiot! Why the Hell would you rob a courier anyway?! They don't even carry money! And the odds that she was carrying important kingdom changing documents is unlikely! Depending on who it is and the only way to know for sure is to get a tip off! Do you WANT this whole operation to be put into jeopardy? Couriers have friends in high places you start robbing them and the whole Corps is going to double their efforts to catch us!"
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Post by Jordyn on Jan 6, 2014 15:21:58 GMT -5
"They haven't caught us yet! And besides, most of that money-" She dropped two more bags on the ground. "Came from the vault in the castle. The only way you get in there is my rank of being a King's Ranger! That sound be enough!" Her own eyes narrowed. "I talked her into it, Robin." Allan said. "She tried to say no, but I insisted that she did. Remember, the escorts carry money." Sue nodded. ------ Emily saddle her horse, Spirit an hour later. She was itching to get on the rode to Norgate. "C'mon, Oliva." She told her friend. "We don't need your guard following us."
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Kallie
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Post by Kallie on Jan 6, 2014 15:30:18 GMT -5
"C'mon, Oliva." She told her friend. "We don't need your guard following us."
Olivia who was just finishing up sadeling Mara looked uneasily over at Emily. "Are you sure about this Emily? I don't want anything to happen to you." She had changed out of her obvious couriers garb and into more subtle clothes. A simple skirt and tunic a belt at the waist and a non nondescript cloak.
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Robin reached over and slapped Allan upside the head. "Then you are a fool for talking her into it." he took a calming breath. "No more couriers ok? Its not worth the risk of exposure. For Sue or for any one of us. Come on lets get this money to the people of sea Cliff."
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Post by Jordyn on Jan 6, 2014 15:38:24 GMT -5
Emily smiled. "I know for a fact that my reputation beats Halt's a thousand times over." She looked at her friend. "We've had a change of plans to. We're going to Seacliff." ------ They were in Seacliff. Robin and Sue waited in the growing darkness as the guards switched. It was three in the morning. Sue motioned for Robin to put his cowl on and they walked to the gate. The guard came to attention as Sue produced her oak leaf. "Ranger Sue Locksley, dispatched on a special mission." The guard nodded "Go through. I suspect that you know where the keep is?" Sue nodded and she and Robin entered the keep. "Get us a room." She whispered. "I'll go take a look at the vault and see if we need Will Scarlet or not."
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Kallie
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Post by Kallie on Jan 6, 2014 16:10:33 GMT -5
"Why are we going to seacliff?" Olivia asked boosting herself into the saddle.
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Robin nodded. "Very well, be careful and let me know. And remember only put some of the money in, the rest will be individually distributed to the outlying farms." with that reminder he walked away to the nearest in to book the a room for the remainder of their stat which would not be very long.
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Post by Jordyn on Jan 6, 2014 16:18:36 GMT -5
"Imformat from their group. Named Allan A Dale. Said they where going to Seacliff." Emily said. ---- It took an hour to find the vault. Instead of trying to open it, she nodded and raced to the Baron's office. She left the money there with a note: From Robin Hood. She raced out side, where she slowed down to a walk and went to the inn closet to where she and Robin had split up. Please be in the tap room. She prayed silently and was happy when she found Robin. She lid into the table across from him. "Mission is a success." She whispered. "I'd recommend that we spend the night here and leave in the morning. We'll look less suspicious."
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Kallie
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Post by Kallie on Jan 6, 2014 16:40:54 GMT -5
"Imformat from their group. Named Allan A Dale. Said they where going to Seacliff." Emily said.
Olivia let that sink in for a little bit before replying. "How long has he been in informant?" she asked hoping that he wouldn't then turn back and betray them.
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"I'd recommend that we spend the night here and leave in the morning. We'll look less suspicious."
Robin nodded as he stuffed some bread into his face. "Of course Sue as per the usual. Just relax and act natural everything will be fine."
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Post by Jordyn on Jan 6, 2014 16:45:57 GMT -5
Emily ordered a glass of wine and some stew. She decided to bring something up. "There's a traitor in our group." She said.. quietly. She paused as the serving maid put her wine down in front of her and Sue took a sip. "I think it's Allan." She said. ---- "Three months." Emily said. "The King has offered him immunity from prosecution. I doubt that he'll betray us." ------- Sue stared at Robin. "It's not unlikely that he hasn't. He always disappears for a day at a time..."
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