Everliving Kings (the Heroes of Darkness Saga) (22 page)

32

A thick fog greeted the visitors to Nottingham on the day of a Royal execution. It did help the Sherwood gang sneak in to the castle courtyard without a problem, but the weather did not help their moods any.

“Keep a sharp look out and tak yer places, you all know what we gots a do.” Scarlet grumbled before the lot of them scattered to await Robin’s arrival.

Near the gallows, another Royal box had been built to give the Sheriff and his noble guests an eye to eye view of the criminal, but when the Royal party arrived there was one notable figure missing, the Lady Anya herself.

Julnar, standing next to Friar Tuck, noticed it first and warned the others of it. “I can’t feel her, something is wrong. We may be too late to save her.”

Tuck’s eyes went wide in horror, “You must not say such things my Lady, she is resourceful, you must have faith.”

Julnar nodded at him and then said, “Ok
, I am going to get to my spot…good luck.”

“You t
oo!” he said with a smile as he watched the girl disappear down an alley.

Before long, the crowd grew thick and restless as the tension began to mount, and then they heard the drums of the execution procession approaching.

All around the courtyard the members of Robin’s Band locked eyes and nodded, to let each other know they were as ready as they could be.

The parade marched to the slow beat of the execution drum roll, through the screaming mob. Some of them threw vegetables or rocks, or other things mobs throw at accused men
in wooden cages, and rained down insults of all kind.  

Once the route had stopped in front of the gallows, the Sheriff stood up to make another crowd stirring speech. “My friends, on this last day of the festival, we will have a somber occasion…the last day of the festival! Now the good news! We will have a hanging!!” at that the crowd went wild.

“My friends it is my great pleasure to finally end the reign of terror of the outlaw Robin Hood!”

As he spoke, the guards dragged Robin from the cage and up the steps of the gallows.

“Now Robin, before we hang you, I do want you to know that you will have company
in your grave tomorrow!” he shouted to a confused Robin. “You see my friends; Prince John has decided that his brother Richard is no longer fit to lead this nation!” that sent a round of murmurs through the crowd as opinions changed hands. “Tonight my friends we will have a Royal coronation, and then a wedding!...Oh yes, and then in the morning, we will have another execution! The Lady Marion is a traitor to the crown!”

Robin shouted back at him, “You mean she is loyal to King Richard! You and Prince John are the real traitors!” Robin’s words must have echoed the feelings of most of the crowd as they began to shout
and cheer his name.

Sheriff Brewer pointed to the executioner who slipped the noose over Robin’s head and dropped the floor to hang him. Luckily for Robin, his toes caught the edge of the trap door and he kept himself from falling and snapping his neck, now however he was about to choke to death.

The botched execution along with the powerful words Robin had shouted caused the once pro hanging crowd to try and surge forward to save their hero.

As Guy and the Sheriff’s men moved in to r
estore order and finish the job, the men of Sherwood sprang into action.

Julnar jumped from the roof of the building opposite the Royal box and landed on the executio
ner with a blade buried deep in his neck, she then jumped up and cut the rope causing Robin to fall flat to the ground. Just as planned, Shawn little dragged Robin out from under the gallows stage and undid the ropes that held him.

As Sir Guy tried desperately to get through the crowd to them, Friar Tuck drove the ‘borrowed’ wa
gon up to his friends for a mad dash at the main gate. Just as they got there, and with the guards not far behind, Scarlet cut the rope for the portcullis, causing the huge gate to drop in place and cover their escape.

“Gisbon!” the Sheriff shouted as he rode up to the gate. “Get out there and kill those outlaws! Take as many of mercenaries as you need, but bring me Robin Hood’s head!” he screamed before he swung his borrowed horse around and raced back to the castle.

The Sherwood group had all managed to escape with only minor injuries, but they all knew that still had a lot of work to do before they could rest.

“My L
ady Julnar,” Robin said after finally catching his breath, “I thank you for your help, but now both you and the Lady Anya are in danger I fear.”

Julnar shook her head, “No Robin, we were a
lready in danger, this changes nothing. I could not sense Anya at the keep, so either she is asleep, dead, or not there. We already knew the Sheriff had plans of his own, we just did not know when he would act. If he is the one who has killed or captured my Lady, and I think that likely, then indeed he has an item or an ally we don’t yet know about.”

Robin nodded his head, “Ok, so Scarlet, what do we have already in the works?”

Scarlet smiled, “We have the lads out gathering support fer ole’ King Dick, they will meet us back at camp as soon as they can. Wit’ any luck we will ‘ave just as many men as the Sheriff. Then we can march on Nottingham and force them to surrender.”

Robin shook his head, “We go tonight with or without help. I will not let them hang her!” he gru
mbled, as his wolf side threatened to come through.

Julnar beside him again shook her head, “Think well
Lord of the forest, our enemies want us to act out of rage, emotion unchecked will only get you killed. You must relax and feel for the openings, never force them.”

Scarlet flashed an angry glare her way, “We are Wolves! We fight best if we are angry!” he s
houted causing some of the other pack members to cheer in agreement.

Julnar smiled at him and said, “And that is why even three of you could not defeat me in co
mbat.” That reminder sent a ripple of chuckles through the crowd.

“The Lady is correct,” Scarlet grumbled at those who had laughed, “So we needs what? Better focus of our anger?”

Julnar frowned and nodded, “Focus is a good way to put it, you should always dwell only on the result you wish to achieve, do not think about how you will accomplish it or what needs to happen first, think only of the goal.”

Scarlet frowned at the girl and then nodded his head in
thought. “So dats ow’ you kill people? Just think o’ them dead?”

Julnar raised one eyebrow,
“If that is the desired outcome…then yes.”

Scarlet smiled wide, “Oi, I like dis’ one!” he laughed as he threw a thumb in her direction. “Cold as ice!”

Julnar pulled her horse to a stop and tilted her head to one side with her eyes closed. Robin Hood turned back to see what was bothering her when he realized what she was doing, and put a hand up to stop the convoy.

“My Lady?” he asked afraid he already knew what she was going to say.

Julnar opened her eyes and said, “Horses, a lot of them and moving fast! We need to go!”

“No!” Robin shouted as he climbed down from his horse. “Let the mounts run them off! Into the fo
rest lads!” he shouted as he slapped his horse on the rump and sent it running down the path without him. Once the rest of the gang had done the same, they darted into the tree line and waited for the column of men to pass.

33

“Still no word from Gisbon my Lord.” The Sheriff grumbled as he entered the hall.

Prince John waved a hand to dismiss his fru
stration, “It doesn’t matter William, we will deal with the outlaws later. So long as we still control the Vampire, we still have the advantage. How goes the creation process?”

The Sheriff paused and raised his eyebrows, “Well, we have found five more soldiers that suit the need. They are all still quite dangerous and are
locked in the cells in the dungeon. So far only Tesouid has been able to speak and respond to given commands, and even with that I have had to use the holy relics. I fear this plan may take longer than we had expected you’re Grace.”

Prince John smiled at him, “Nonsense, with this plan we have all the time we need. So how is your bride to be faring?”

“She is resting in her rooms you’re Grace, thus far I have limited any…suggestions to things she would normally not mind doing, like killing people. I fear if I ask her to do something out of character she may resist and break free of the crosses influence.”

The Regent nodded his head, “That would seem to be sensible. Have you had any word from the land Barons on the coronation?”

The Sheriff nodded and let his shoulders relax just a bit, “Yes my Lord, the Earl of Devon was the first to send his support and is on his way for the ceremony, I am sure half the Lords in the country are gathering their banner-men to support you.”

The Prince nodded his head again, “Yes, that’s what I am afraid of; the other half will still support Richard. Ah well the die is cast… I still like our chances. Send for the Lady Marion, let’s get this trial out of the way.” He said with a laugh.

When the Lady Marion was brought before the Prince for her trial, she was surprised to find only the Sheriff and prince himself waiting for her. They stood as she entered and offered her a seat on the opposite side of the table.

“My Lady Marion!” the Sheriff began, “You stand accused of high treason against Prince John and the Crown. What do you have to say in your own defense?”

“My Lords, I heard what you were panning, I am not the one who should be called a traitor!” she shot back.

Prince John actually laughed at her outburst, “Oh, feisty headstrong Norman girls!
I had forgotten just how independent you can be! As you may well know, history is written by the victors, so for you it is not too late. Join us my dear, I will make you Queen of all England.”

“What? No, then I would have to…”

“Obey me? Yes, by English law a wife must do anything her husband demands of her. Or you can stay stubborn and die. In fact I will throw in a full pardon for your Robin Hood to show my good faith.”

Marion frowned at him as a smile made its way onto her face, “So they did save him!
And that means he will save me!”

Prince John rolled his eyes as he realized his mistake, “Oh the optimism, it is so nauseating! Very well Lady Marion, is that your final decision?” he groaned.

“Yes my Lord, you are a traitor to your brother the King, and I will wait for your plans to be stopped by Robin Hood.” The girl smiled a smug little grin knowing she was already under the Prince’s skin.

“Very well, Marion Dubois, I have no choice but to sentence you to be
… my wife….”

“What?”

“….oh I will enjoy breaking you. My Lord Sheriff put her in with your bride to be will you, if she annoys her at least we will have an execution after all.”

“Wait you can’t do this!” she shouted as the Sheriff dragged her to the upstairs guest quarters. “You are monsters the both of you!”

“Nay, not yet a least, but let me introduce you to one who is a monster.” He said as he opened the door to Anya’s room. “Anya! I have a meal for you!” he shouted as he threw the girl in and slammed the door shut.

Marion was horrified to see the creature that approached her from the other side of the room. A
nya was still a beautiful woman, but now her hands, face and chest were covered in brown dry blood. Her eyes looked more like the eyes of a cat, and the way she moved was more animal than human.

“My Lady Anya
, can you hear me? It’s me Marion do you remember?” tears streaked her face and her voice began to tremble as the Vampire approached her.

Anya turned her head from side to side as she examined her meal. She could smell fear and anger, also a tiny bit of hope, but there was still something odd about this one.

The Risen moved closer and grabbed the girl by the hair, tilting her head back to expose her neck. The creature took a long draw of the girls scent by running her nose from the girl’s collarbone to her ear and inhaling deeply. Still unsure what was so interesting, Anya licked the girl’s neck to taste her sweat. The sensations shook her body causing her to shut her eyes and throw her head back, when she opened her eyes again she smiled…before sinking her fangs into the girl’s neck with a scream.

34

As Dawn broke through the trees, it found the Sherwood outlaws were already up, and well into their day. Now that the rest of the pack had returned with the news that not only was the countryside rallying to King Richard’s banner, but an ally they had not expected, had agreed to join the battle.

Walter de Coutances
, also called Walter of Rouen, the Anglo-Norman Bishop of Lincoln and Archbishop of Rouen, had just returned to England from the Holy lands. As a loyal supporter of the King and very wealthy land owner, he had perhaps the largest single banner behind the King.

Under the guise of monks from Rouen, Robin and his men led the new army to the gates of No
ttingham to join in the coronation festivities.

Once in the gates however, they realized this fight was going to be harder than expected. The walls of Notinghamshire’s Keep were lined with bowmen from several of Prince John’s loyal shires.

Julnar, walking between Robin and Friar Tuck, tensed, as they got closer to the main castle. “I can sense many Risen here…new ones, wildlings. We must be very careful.” She whispered.

“Does that mean Anya is still alive?” Robin asked as he looked around at the many armed men surrounding them.

For a moment, she was about to remind him that Anya had not been ‘alive’ in quite some time, but she understood what he meant by it. “I do not know, but that does seem likely.”

The procession marched into the great hall to find it set up like a throne room, with one large chair to the back, ready to receive the new King. The Arc
hbishop of Canterbury stood on the dais alone, waiting for the arrival of the Prince.

From the second floor balcony, the royal band blew their horns to announce the entrance of Prince John.

John marched through the crowd to the steps leading to his coronation throne, and stood facing the crowd next to the Archbishop, who spoke first.

“My
Lords and Ladies, it is here in the company and before almighty God we witness the crowning of a new King. Ye John, Prince and defender of the Realm; King and Sovereign of Ireland; and Count of Mortain. By what right do you now claim the throne of all England?”

“By Right of Blood!” the Prince responded.

Robin Hood could not contain himself any longer and shouted, “By blood it shall be! Men of Sherwood! Attack!”

Shouts of alarm rang out as sword began to clash against shield, and the room exploded into a
ction. Howls of newly transformed werewolves echoed off of the stone walls of the castle as Robin’s men held nothing back.

Outside of the keep, the howling of the No
ttingham pack alerted the men of both sides the battle had begun.

Shawn Little and Friar tuck were at the center of the room when the call to battle came, and ended up back to back at the center of most of the fighting. The Irishman, let his change take over control of his body as the holy man guarded his back. Once fi
nished with his shift, and now a full half-and-half Wen, Shaun tore at the enemies in front of him, careful not to leave any alive.

It didn’t take long for the large shifter to clear a huge path around him that his enemies stayed w
ell back from, at least until one man, dressed in the dark uniform of the mercenary group, stepped in front of him.

To Shawn’s surprise this man was covered in blood and snarling at him. He knew this was a Risen, but it was not like the one he had met in the forest. This
one did not want to reason with him, it wanted to drink him dry.

Shawn crouched low
as he loaded his weight on his legs and then launched himself at the Risen. The massive wolf-man drove the Vampire backwards through a closed oak door, sending shards of wood in all directions. The pair rolled apart just before the Risen attacked in a wild frenzy, forcing Shaun to grab the creature and hold on as tight as he could. The combatants snapped and snarled at each other with neither gaining an advantage, until the Risen kicked out his left leg and pushed off of the stone wall behind him. He drove Shawn back into the other wall of the stone hallway, and sank his fangs into Shawn’s chest.

Shawn spun to his left and drove the Va
mpire’s head into the stone wall behind him with a loud cracking sound.

As the battle raged on in the castle,
Sir Guy of Gisbon found himself face to face with Robin Hood again, but this time, the young man’s eyes were shining bright gold.

“Alright wolfshead! Let’s finish this!” he shou
ted before he dove at Robin with his sword, going through a series of attacks and counters.

The pair matched skills and drifted their fight towards an empty area of the castle turned battle ground.

“I told you Gisbon you were lucky the last time, today you will not escape me!” Robin grumbled as they became more isolated.

Sir Guy smiled as he forced Robin to back down a winding stone staircase. “You are a fine bowman, but that pretty sword is a waste in your hands! You were lucky to escape the gallows
, but there is no one here to rescue you now!”

As
Sir Guy back pedaled he bumped into a wrought iron candle stand, causing it to wobble, without thinking, he pushed it towards his opponent who was forced to drop his sword to protect himself. Robin caught the heavy lamp as it fell, but was pushed down by its weight. Gisbon laughed as the outlaw found himself pinned to the wall without his sword.

“Well Robin Hood, it looks like your luck has run out!” he shouted as he drew back his blade to run it through Robin’s chest.

Before he could move, one of the newly formed Risen, driven mad by the scent of blood and noise of battle, dove on the unsuspecting Sir Guy and tore him apart for his blood.

**********************************

The Sheriff of Nottingham raced up the steps to get to the best weapon he had available. If he let the Vampire Queen loose on the battle he was sure John’s forces would win out.

Without knocking Brewer threw the door open and shouted for the
Vampire, “Anya! Come quickly! We have a battle to win!”

Anya was sitting in the small chair facing the door, still streaked in
blood; at her feet lay the crumpled body of the Lady Marion with her back to the door. “Oh, what a shame,” he said as he realized what he was seeing, “So she will not turn into a Risen?” He asked in an almost sympathetic way.

Anya shook her head no and smiled at him. To his surprise she then stood up and said, “No I’m afraid not, you see you sent me the only person on the planet alive today who is immune to the plague. Isn’t that right my dear?” she asked as she helped Marion to her feet.

Brewer frowned in confusion, “What?”

Anya continued as she enjoyed the look of horror on the Sheriff’s face, “Yes, she cured me with her blood, and that also broke the spell of this little trinket you gave me.
So tell me, you did get this from my dear father didn’t you?”

The Sheriff nodded now sure his fate was sealed. Then the wild idea hit him to kill the lady Marion and restore his control of the
Vampire. He reached his right hand back behind him to pull out his dagger and throw it at Marion. As he did he tried to distract them by talking. “You, do know I had no choice my Lady, Lord Rathbone threatened my life, he even showed me how the relics work on your kind.”

That hit a nerve as the
Vampire frowned at him, “What do you mean he showed you?”

At that the Sheriff pulled the dagger and swung his arm forward to throw it. Before he ever got even close to releasing the blade however, Julnar grabbed his arm
from behind and bent it back, stabbing the Sheriff in the throat with his own blade.

He staggered back in shock and slid down the wall drowning in his own blood.

Julnar frowned down on the dying man and spit on him, “You were never worthy of my mistress!”

“Julnar!” Anya shouted as she threw her arms around her child. “How bad is it?” she asked refe
rring to the all-out war raging in and around the castle.

“There are several wildlings running about, but the werewolves seem to be handling them quite well. Robin went to the dungeon to look for the Lady Marion.” She said as Marion also threw her arms around her neck.

“You did it Julnar! I knew you would!” Marion sobbed.

Julnar smiled at the girl and said, “Come, let’s find him together.”

Once the shifters had killed off the wildlings, and the rest of Prince John’s men had surrendered to the Loyalist forces, Walter de Coutances stepped up to Prince John.

“My
Lord, you have been defeated, in the name of our good King Richard I hereby banish you from England until such a time as his Majesty sees fit. I hereby also grant a full pardon to Robin Hood and his men of Sherwood, and anyone else the Regent may have falsely accused.”

That sent cheers through the crowd as the men of Sherwood could now once more be free.

“My Lady Anya,” the leader of the French mercenaries said as he came up from behind them. “I am François Tesouid, and I am now at your service.”

Anya frowned at him before having him open his mouth and show her his fangs. “You have ha
ndled the change well, but there is much you will need to learn. Julnar will teach you while I am gone…but I won’t be long.”

Julnar beside her frowned, “But my Lady, where are you going?”

“I must go and Kill my father.”