Their sudden appearance was so shocking that I nearly cried out. After a moment, two of the bandits took the lead horses by the reins while two others blocked our retreat. We were effectively cut off.
Despite our situation, Robard was a study in calm determination, his hands in the air.
“Who are you?” he demanded.
None of them answered. Without speaking, the leader directed the others with a series of shrugs and shakes of his head, the arrow in his bow never wavering from the center of Robard’s chest. One of the men went for Sir Thomas’ battle sword at Robard’s waist. He removed it, belt and all, and slung the sword over his shoulder. I was thankful for the robe Tuck had given me, for I had taken to wearing the satchel beneath it so it was not visible. I strained to listen, hoping for the Grail to sound, assuring me we would survive this encounter, but it was silent.
“You’ll answer for this,” Robard said. “I know these woods and know them well. There is nowhere you can hide that I won’t find you.”
His threats had no effect. The thieves stood as still as statues, save for the one gathering up our valuables. Brother Tuck made his familiar clicking sound as the man advanced and rocked back and forth nervously astride his horse. He was scared, and I worried he might do something to cause himself harm.
“Easy, Tuck,” I said, reaching over to take him by the arm, hoping I could calm him.
Maryam started acting like a frightened girl. “What do you want with us?” she whined. “Please don’t hurt us!” She dropped her reins, slumping in the saddle, and cried the worst fake tears I’d ever heard. But as she hugged her arms, I could see she was reaching up the sleeves of her tunic.
The cowled leader, however, kept his eyes on Robard. Finally, he said quietly, “Drop the bow.”
Robard still clutched his bow in one hand. “I think not,” he replied.
“I don’t want to shoot you, but I will if I have to. Release it.”
“Not on your life,” Robard answered.
“Drop it! Or it’s an arrow for your morning meal!”
The bandit standing next to Tuck was momentarily distracted and thus caught completely unaware when the monk goaded his horse forward and brought his giant fist down on top of the bandit’s head. The man crumpled to the ground as if he had been felled by an ax.
“Now!” Robard shouted. I dropped the reins and winced as I rolled backward off my horse. The distinctive twang of a bowstring sounded, and for a moment I swore I felt the rush of air as an arrow passed through the space where I had been just an instant before.
I landed on my feet with my horse between me and the bandit on my right, and drew my sword. Maryam’s ululating cry echoed off the trees, and Robard’s shouts and curses rang through the morning air. To my left, Little John shouted that he and Tuck had already subdued the other archer. Angel barked and growled and snapped. She was no doubt making life difficult for one of the thieves, but I kept my focus on the man just beyond my horse.
Since they had probably intended to steal our mounts to begin with, and they appeared well trained and organized, I assumed the bandit was too disciplined to shoot one of the horses. Keeping the animal between us, I grabbed its halter and whacked its rump, steering it at a quick pace toward the bandit.
The man was brave, I’ll give him that. He held his ground. When I was nearly upon him, I whacked the horse on the rump again and this time he reared, forelegs flashing and kicking while the bandit shouted in alarm.
Twisting and charging around the horse, I was close on the man before he could get a shot off. I swung my sword and he jumped back, holding his bow out in front of him for protection. The flashing steel cut through the wood with little resistance, and it flew apart. Without a second thought, the man turned and ran, disappearing into the foggy woods.
We had nearly triumphed. One man lay on the ground unconscious. Little John held one, his giant arm around the man’s neck. Maryam had one pinned to the ground, a golden dagger at his throat.
Only Robard and the leader still grappled. They had both dropped their bows and wrestled hand to hand, trading blows right and left, but neither gained an advantage. Grasping each other’s shoulders, they spun around and around, until finally, one of Robard’s legs kicked out and caught the other man at the knee. He went down on his back and Robard leapt on top of him.
With his knees on the man’s arms, Robard pummeled him with blow after blow, but the bandit was strong and still struggled, whereas Robard was tiring. I rushed forward and put the point of my sword at the man’s throat. Even then he fought to free himself.
“Enough!” I said.
Finally his body sagged in defeat. He lay back on the ground, arms and body relaxed but appearing as if he could spring on us at any moment.
Robard pulled at the hood, which fit tightly around the man’s face. He yanked and tugged until finally we could see him clearly.
“Oh,” said Robard in surprise. “Oh my God! Will? Will Scarlet, is that you?”