Enders spun around again and stared at Elwin, his eyes enraged and fiery. He was fuming with anger. “If it's all the same to you, Elwin, I'd like to live to see mine.”
Harlow kept her eyes straight and even, trying to mask her disappointment and unhappiness. She focused on the forest and the forest only.
Elwin and Reggie fell silent as Enders turned forward again. Every started walking, but the silence only lasted a moment.
“You mean,” Elwin started. Harlow rolled her eyes at his desire for needless conversation. “You've never met her?”
All was quiet for several long seconds.
“I have,” Enders said, before sighing and adding, “once or twice many years ago.”
Harlow let her curiosity peak, although she kept her eyes still and forward.
“What was she like then?” Reggie found the courage to ask.
“How do you know her?” Elwin chimed in, obviously surprised by Enders' engagement.
Still, Harlow's heart sat like an anchor in her stomach. She reminded herself that Enders wouldn't have been interested in her anyway, but it didn't numb her sadness.
“We were children then. I don't remember much about her. Her father is a friend of my father.” Enders said, his back muscles still tense and stone-like.
Harlow raised an eyebrow, but didn't say anything. He'd only talked about his father once or twice. Harlow knew that he left Enders' family and that he may have been part of the military in Sherwood. Otherwise, his statement left her confused and estranged.
Elwin was the one out of the two men that got enough courage to ask, “What do you know about her?”
Enders tensed even more, if that were even possible. He stopped walking momentarily before picking up the pace again. Harlow decided it was best to keep an eye on the forest behind them and turned around to walk backward again.
She noticed that Enders started to speak with more confidence, or maybe he was trying to gain more confidence anyway. “She's the daughter of a Sherwood general. She had long, brown hair and brown eyes. Other than that, I know not much.” He said it quickly.
“Not even a name?” Reggie asked sympathetically.
Harlow froze in her spot.
Her heart started to race a mile a minute.
Enders sighed.
Harlow turned her back and watched him as his back muscles tensed even more under his shirt.
She knew what he was going to say before he said it.
“Harlow McBride.”
*~*~*
It was the first time in months that she'd heard her own name.
Her heart sank and fluttered at the same time. She was half elated that it was her, but half angry because that these plans were made without her. Her father already signed her off? He'd already prepared for her a suitor?
He hadn't even told her.
The way she saw it, Enders seemed content about the engagement.
In only a few seconds, she saw a future that scared her, with an uncaring husband, a life she never wanted, and her only and greatest joy being the sight of a full moon every so often.
Her worst fears were coming to life and she had no way to fight it.
A domesticated life never fit her wants and honestly, she never saw it as her destiny,
She couldn't deny how attractive he was. She knew he was handsome, but how handsome would he be in ten years?
Elwin and Reggie quickly zeroed in on Harlow, their eyes widened and their jaws dropped. They watched, waiting for a battle or some kind of fight to break out.
Enders turned around to take a look at her.
She hadn't realized it fully, but her anger was written clearly all over her face. It put the men on the edge and made them doubt her ability to think correctly.
Enders spotted her reaction and it looked as if he mentally kicked himself for telling them. But, it needed to be said.
“Henry, I--,” Enders began.
“We're almost to the path that the caravan will be coming down.” She said in her gruff voice. “Let's go.”
The men complied, all of them falling behind her as she stomped past them and headed on her way. Over the next few minutes, she tried to hold onto her anger and hatred, but she found that the more time passed, the more she hadn't blamed Enders. It pained her heart, but she blamed her father.
They finally made it to their spots, took up their positions and waited for the caravan.
They tied up the driver when the horse-drawn caravan came through and took all the useful items.
The raid went well, they weren't caught, and nothing out of the ordinary happened, except the awkward silence that filled the air. It seemed usual enough that this was the case, but no matter how much Harlow tried to get over the situation, she found herself getting more angry.
They made it back to camp in record time, no one wanting to be in the awkward silence any longer than they had to.
They walked into camp when other recruits had been on the training grounds. Robin met them as they entered, asking about the items and the finer details. There wasn't much to report and after giving him all the items they'd obtained, everyone went their separate ways.
Harlow went to the pier, kicking off her boots and lazing around the wooden bridge. She dipped her toes into the sparkling water.
She sat for a long time, not counting anything, but simply watching over the horizon. She wondered how this could have happened. How had she let it go right past her head.
The pier creaked gently under her.
She looked at the end, noticing Enders walking toward her, his head held low and watching the wooden planks beneath his feet. He sat down beside her, slouching gently, and completely engulfed in his thoughts. “I didn't know if you knew.”
Harlow shook her head. “No. I didn't know. She doesn't know either. Our father never told us.”
“I'm sorry for not telling you earlier.” Enders said, looking out over the horizon.
“Don't be.” Harlow said, siting up. “I don't blame you.” She finally took a glance at him, her heart beating a mile a minute and her eyes scanning over his good-looking features.
“Are we okay then?” Enders asked, a small smile plaguing his lips.
“We're going to be family soon. I'd say we have to be okay.” Harlow said, although she was mixed on how she felt about that. She didn't know if she should still be mad or if she should condone the butterflies that fluttered in his stomach by the look on his face.
Harlow lifted one hand and tugged on the brim of her hat, making sure it was securely in place.
There was no way he would marry her, she decided.
She knew there was nothing to worry about then.
The realization made her only slightly disappointed, but she knew that there was no man that would accept what she'd done. When Enders found out she was a woman, he would reject their engagement and find someone else.
It was only a matter of time.
And that's what Harlow forced herself to believe.
Chapter Ten
Harlow walked out of the cabin early in the morning, her hands reaching up and meeting the edges of her hat, tucking all renegade strands of hair into the rim.
She noticed that it was barely dawn, the men were asleep, and the only signs of life were that of the birds.
As she walked out onto the dirt, she steered away from the pier on the lake. Her legs were sore and tired, her eyes didn't want to stay open, and renegade strands of hair kept falling out of the rim of her hat.
Last night was troublesome, tiring, and stressful. It was her third raid in the last two weeks since Robin had promoted her; It worked out fine in the end, but raiding was far more stressing than Harlow anticipated.
Harlow walked lazily to the opposite side of the lake, a place she'd seen frequently. She used this path to reach the area of the lake that was most secluded, where she would bathe in the night. Harlow stopped next to a tree, watching out over the lake as the trees blew in the wind.
She inhaled, closing her eyes and taking in as much air as she could, knowing that this morning would be the last of her peace for the day. Robin had specifically informed her that her unit would be setting up another post on the east end of the camp.
“You ready?” A voice sounded behind her. She opened her eyes, exhaling the breath she'd taken in previously.
“Aye.” Harlow turned around, knives neatly tucked in her right boot and on her hip.
Her eyes landed on his tired face, another bruise forming just above his collarbone, another reminder of how hard rich men fought for their money.
“You feeling okay?” Harlow asked, nodding to his collarbone.
Enders nodded, a hard look on his face. “Aye.”
Harlow nodded, looking to the ground as she walked past him and toward the town center to meet with the others, Enders following in suit.
When Harlow and Enders found their way to the town center, Elwin and Reggie sat around a fresh fire, chewing on their breakfast, a luxury that Harlow didn't have the heart to eat at the moment.
“Reggie, Elwin,” Harlow greeted them, hearing their grunting in response. Reggie was eager and chewed happily on his piece of jerky. He'd never been on a raid before, but regardless of his teams' loss in capture the flag, Robin saw his potential and placed him with Harlow's team.
Elwin, on the other hand, sat slumped against a log, chewing on his jerky, tiredly and slowly. His every movement screamed tiresome and exhaustion.
“We're leaving to set up our post in ten minutes.” Harlow said, looking down at them. Reggie nodded eagerly, while Elwin blinked sadly, his eyes unwilling to respond anymore than that.
Harlow sighed, looking to Enders who had grabbed a small piece of jerky and began eating it. “Enders,” She addressed him, watching as he looking up, his hair swinging in his eyes at the movement. Her heart skipped a beat at the sight. “Let's go talk to Hood.”
Enders looked down at the food in his hand. “I'm eating,” He complained.
“Take it with you.” Harlow demanded, trying to sound imposing and tough.
Enders sighed, walking next to Harlow as they made their way to Robin's cabin.
The silence was comfortable, as it was normally with Enders, although Harlow understood he was preoccupied with his food anyway.
Harlow walked up a small set of stairs and raised her hand to knock on one of the cabin doors.
Robin Hood answered the door within seconds. “Aye?” He answered, tired eyes meeting her own.
Harlow raised an eyebrow at him. “Reporting for the Out-Post today. You instructed that we start early.”
Robin nodded, raising a hand to wipe his eyes. “Right, that I did.” He stepped aside, motioning with his hand, “Come in.”
Harlow walked in first, standing still in the center of the small cabin, Enders following and continuing to the other end of the room.
Harlow noticed that Enders stared at the items on the tables and nightstands on the far wall. To her, it looked to be stacks of papers and letters, but Harlow forced her eyes to Robin Hood.
“Right,” Robin said, walking to the table at the center of his cabin. “You're going to the East end of Sherwood today,” He said, picking up one paper. “We were informed of a cargo shipment coming through Sherwood. It's said that it belongs to the King, or at least it's going to the King.”
Harlow raised an eyebrow. “That sounds like it'll be heavily guarded, Hood.”
“From the information we've gathered, it seems that they're not too concerned about the contents.” Robin explained looking through the pile of letters he had littered on the table.
“If it's unimportant, why are you trying so hard to retrieve it?” Enders asked, a certain degree of malice in his voice. Harlow was taken aback by the amount of anger in his voice, although she agreed with the content.
Robin sighed, “Enders, the items that they're carrying are well over enough to feed the villages surrounding the forest. Once we get their money and treasures, we can disburse it around to help the hardworking families that are being taken advantage of.”
Harlow nodded, “Aye, but that means higher taxes for the people.”
“Not to mention that this supposed cargo sounds like a set up.” Enders chimed in, crossing his arms over his chest. Harlow turned her eyes to him, watching as he narrowed his eyes at Robin. She could almost feel the anger radiating from him.
“It seems like a stretch for them to go out of their way to capture one or two outlaws.” Robin said, looking over the papers in his hands.
“The King knows how greedy the outlaws are,” Enders spat out, placing his hands on the table. “They know that you'll send some kind of sizable team to find them and steal their treasures if the risks aren't too high.”
Harlow stepped forward, placing her hand on Enders' arm and pulling him back. “Enders, step down.”
Enders' looked at Harlow for a second before raising his eyes to Robin once more. He stepped backward, crossing his arms over his chest.
Harlow tore her eyes from Enders and placed her full attention on Robin. “Enders is right. This seems like a set up. If they make you believe that there are not many men patrolling the goods, they know you'll send someone to seize it.” Harlow said, “This sounds like fake information to draw out some outlaws.”
Robin sighed looking up from his letters. “Some risks are worth taking.”
Enders huffed, turning his eyes to the side and staring angrily at the floor.
Harlow sighed as she saw Enders in her peripheral vision. "Robin, this isn't a good idea."
Robin turned his eyes up from the maps on his desk and stared at her. "Henry, this is my camp and you'll do as I say."
Harlow nodded, keeping her eyes even and on Robin. "As you say."
Harlow turned her back and walked out of the building, following Enders down the cabin steps.
"So we're going to do this raid?" Enders asked, his hands balled into fists and his eyebrows knitted with anger.
"We've been given no other choice. The raid will go as planned." Harlow said.
*~*~*
Harlow stared at the forest ahead of her. The wind blew slightly, causing the trees to sway back and forth. She closed her eyes and felt the pit of her stomach knot itself up.
Something wasn't quite right; she knew that much.
Her eyebrows knitted together as she sent up a quick prayer.
“Henry,” Elwin's voice rang behind her, the crunching of leaves approaching her and making her aware of his presence. “We're ready to head out.”
Harlow nodded, keeping her eyes closed and taking in a deep breath. “Aye, we should go. The soldiers will be going through Sherwood soon.”
*~*~*
“You wait until the king hears of this!” A monk yelled out as Harlow tied his arms behind his back and around a tree.
She walked around to his front and looked at him, an eyebrow raised and fake laughter on the edge of her voice. “Oh yeah? What will he do? Send more goods?” She shoved a loose piece of fabric into his mouth.
Harlow turned away from the struggling man and walked to Enders, who held another monk at arrow-point while Reggie tied his arms behind his back and sat him against a tree, tying him to the tree as well.
“Where's Elwin?” Harlow whispered, asking Enders as she scanned the forest.
“The trees.” Enders whispered back to her, causing her to nod her head and scan the horizon again, searching for anything that could prove his location. A renegade boot sticking out of a tree made her chuckle slightly.
As soon as Reggie finished stuffing a rag in the monk's mouth, Enders lowered his bow and placed the arrow back into his quiver.
Harlow looked to Reggie as Enders walked past her and toward the treasures. “Go join Elwin.”
Reggie nodded turning and rushing off to get into a good position.
Harlow approached Enders as he knelt down looking through the contents of their raided wagon. She picked up an old,
mostly dented gold cup. “Not much of any value.” she said, sighing.
“No, but it does the trick, doesn't it?” A menacing voice said, an obvious smirk on the person's lips. The voice came from just in front of her, holding a demeanor accustomed to authority and obviously male in nature.
Harlow froze momentarily, completely understanding what had happened: They'd been set up.
Harlow slowly lifted her eyes to see the evil looking man standing just before her. Carefully she rose herself up and stood in front of the man.
"We don't want any trouble," Harlow said, her hands floating in the air in front of her.
Enders, she noticed, had also stood up, and had started surveying the area around him, trying to figure a way out of this situation.
"You don't want any trouble?" The man asked, and then laughed, his eyes lighting up like a child being surprised with his favorite toy. "You outlaws always cause problems, always cause mischief, always become trouble.” The man had a smile on the edge of his lips, making them twitch with every sentence.
The man took two steps forward, six other men coming out from their left and right sides.
Harlow's eyes widened, her pulse sped up and she felt fear rise form her toes and spread throughout her limbs.
She kept her eyes as even as she could, although her fear was showing slightly. She felt like a deer in headlights. She glanced behind her, seeing an opening.
“So, what will happen now?” Harlow asked, taking a small, insignificant step backward,
She noticed Enders look in her direction. He saw the step she took. He glanced backward and knew what she was doing. He took a small, insignificant step backward just as she had done.
“What happens now?” The menacing man mocked. “What happens is that you'll tell me where the Outlaw camp is and we'll let you keep your lives, albeit without limbs.”
Harlow nodded, taking another step backward, Enders doing the same. “What if we don't tell you a damn thing?” She spat out at the man.
Sherwood Page 8
