Heir of Locksley

by N B Dixon

  It took Will a moment, but then he understood. “The prince?”

  “He is planning a crusade to the Holy Land. He asked if I would accompany him.”

  Dread tightened Will’s chest. He’d never thought Robin would stay long in Locksley, especially now Lucy was gone. But war? What was a crusade in the Holy Land to do with them? He opened his mouth to protest, but one look at Robin’s face told him that he had already made up his mind.

  “When?”

  “Richard was not strong on specifics, but he offered me a job in the king’s service to tide me over.”

  Will wasn’t surprised. Since living apart from Robin was inconceivable, that left but one course of action.

  “You’ll be wanting a squire.”

  “I am not a knight.”

  “A technicality.”

  “Will, I cannot ask you to—”

  “You didn’t,” Will cut him off.

  For a moment, he thought Robin would refuse. He braced for the rejection.

  “You had better practise your sword skills,” was all Robin said.

  The tightness in Will’s chest loosened. He even managed a grin. “I can beat you with a sword any day.”

  * * * * *

  Chapter 22

  The whole village had turned out for the funeral. Nearly all the women were crying. Meg wept in her husband’s arms. Much sat alone on a fallen log, his face desperately sad. Robin wanted to go over and comfort him, but he had no idea what to say.

  Will had insisted on attending the funeral. He was pale and unsteady on his feet, but his wound appeared to be healing.

  Father Adam’s Latin mumbling finally drew to a close. Robin wondered why it was that funerals were always delivered in a language hardly anyone could understand. It made the whole thing seem rather meaningless.

  The mourners drifted away in small groups, leaving Robin standing alone at the graveside. He looked down at the freshly laid earth, beneath which Lucy rested in a wooden coffin. A simple cross marked the spot, and Meg had placed a garland of white roses beside it.

  “I know you are at peace now,” he murmured. “It may be my destiny to die in a foreign land, but I will never forget you.”

  The wind sighed, almost like an answer.

  “We don’t have to leave yet,” Will said.

  Robin jumped. He hadn’t even realised Will was beside him.

  “No, it’s time to go.”

  Will nodded. “I should be fit to ride in a few days, a week at most.”

  Robin’s gaze strayed to Lucy’s family once more. Much had been helped to his feet. He clutched a spray of roses in one hand, and his mother was helping him limp forward to the grave. Robin and Will backed away, giving them space.

  Harry and Meg had offered Robin a home. He could stay and try to pick up the threads of his life. Richard would surely find plenty of other men to go on his crusade, but Robin knew this part of his life was over. There was nothing for him here in Locksley—only memories.

  Guilt was still a heavy weight in his chest. Lucy had died because of him. He wondered where Katrina and Guy were and if he would ever see them again. He knew there had been a string of executions carried out at Nottingham Castle. A new sheriff had been hastily appointed to oversee them. Where Prince John was, Robin had no idea, but if the prince had any sense, he would lie low for a while. Although, as Will had pointed out to him only the night before, there was no proof John had even been involved in the conspiracy.

  Robin had expected there to be some repercussions following his murder of Raymond Warci, but apparently, the king was willing to let that slide, owing to the man’s treachery.

  He had seen nothing of his father since the battle. He wondered what would become of the manor once Lord Locksley died. He was the only heir. The manor would most likely revert to the Crown to be bestowed on some other knight fortunate enough to rise in the king’s favour.

  Unable to stay there any longer, Robin left the churchyard.

  ***

  The following week dragged, but finally, the day of departure arrived. As with Lucy’s funeral, most of Locksley’s inhabitants turned out to see Robin and Will off. Many looked sad to see them leave. Meg began to cry. Robin was sorry to cause her yet more grief.

  He was taking little: a change of clothes, his sword, bow and quiver. Nothing else. Their first destination was Winchester: a journey of many days on horseback. After that, Robin had no idea. It didn’t worry him all that much.

  Will was greatly improved, and Robin was glad to have his company. In all honesty, he couldn’t imagine his life without Will at his side. They had been inseparable since the age of twelve. It was right that Will should be going with him, even if Robin had no idea whether either of them would ever return.

  Will carried a dagger; it was a gift from Robin on his last birthday. He had never taken to archery, but a quarterstaff was slung from his saddle.

  A high voice hailed them. “Robin, wait.”

  Much came hobbling up, using the crutches George the carpenter had made for him. His young face was pinched with anxiety.

  “Do you really have to go?”

  Robin tousled his hair. “I’m afraid so.”

  “But why? Da said you could continue to lodge with us.”

  “I’m off to a foreign land. Prince Richard himself asked me to go with him.”

  “Will I ever see you again?”

  “Of course you will.” The lie came easily. Robin gave the boy a quick hug. “Take care of your father and mother.”

  Much bit his lip, fighting back tears. “I will.”

  Martha threw her arms around Robin. “Don’t go, please.”

  Robin hugged her back fiercely. His throat was tight, making it difficult to get the words out.

  “I can’t stay here, Martha, I’m sorry. Everything is a reminder of…of her. Don’t you understand?”

  Martha sniffed loudly. “I do, but this is your home, Robin. There are people here who love you. Never forget that.”

  “I’ll try not to.”

  Martha kissed his cheek and tucked his hair behind his ear. “Take care of yourself.”

  Sir Richard grasped first Robin’s hand, then Will’s. A yellowing bruise still marred one temple, but he had suffered no other ill effects from the attack.

  “I wish I were young enough to go on crusade, but I fear my fighting days are over.”

  Robin smiled. “You need to stay here and teach the village boys archery. I know Much, for one, would like to learn.”

  “I’m proud of you,” Sir Richard said. “Good luck to you, Robin of Locksley.”

  Robin mounted his horse, as Will did the same. Martha passed a wrapped package to each of them.

  “A little something for the road,” she said, with a passable attempt at her usual brisk tone.

  Robin nodded his thanks. He turned his back on the only parents and home he had ever known and set his gaze towards the horizon. He didn’t look back.

  * * * * *

  Epilogue

  Summer 1192

  Lord Locksley tossed on his mattress. Outside, the storm raged, rattling the shutters. Freezing draughts found their way in and slid under the bearskin that covered him.

  There had been a storm like this the night Robin was born.

  He wondered where his son was. Robin had, by all accounts, risen high in old King Henry’s favour. The king had knighted him shortly before his death. When Richard became king three years earlier, he had left immediately for the Holy Land, after draining the coffers of his nobles to fund his war. Robin had gone with him.

  There was so much Lord Locksley wished he had said to his son, and now he would never have the chance. Even assuming he came home, Robin would never forgive him. They were both stubborn that way.

  At first, Lord Locksley thought the creaking was coming from outside. This was an old building with no glass in the windows, and the shutters were scarcely adequate protection.

  Without warning, the bears
kin covers were yanked aside, and a gloved hand was over his mouth. Lord Locksley struggled, unable to see his attacker. Then something cold pressed against his Adam’s apple, cutting off his cry.

  “Good evening,” a smooth, deadly voice whispered out of the darkness. Lord Locksley froze. He knew that voice.

  The hand left his face. The stranger pinned him to the bed with ease. Outrage mingled with fear. He was all tangled in the bed coverings, and worst of all, he was naked.

  “You!” he croaked.

  Guy of Gisborne laughed in his ear. “Aren’t you pleased to see me?”

  Lord Locksley fought to keep his voice calm while groping under the pillow for the knife he always kept there.

  “Your father would not want you to do this.”

  Guy pressed the dagger deeper into his neck. “No, I’m sure he wouldn’t. But we cannot always have what we want. Kindly stop rustling about. I could slit your throat long before you could draw a weapon.”

  Lord Locksley went still. Mentally, he ran through his options. He could call for help, but Guy would kill him long before anybody reached his chamber. His only choice was to keep Guy talking and try to buy some time until he could think of a better plan.

  “How did you get in? I do hope you haven’t killed any of my retainers.”

  He couldn’t see Guy’s face, but his voice was smug.

  “I’ve no need to. Haven’t you heard? I have been appointed Sheriff of Nottingham. I have the authority to go anywhere I choose within my shire.”

  Lord Locksley stiffened. “Only the king can appoint a sheriff.”

  “Our king is otherwise engaged at present. Since the County of Nottinghamshire belongs to his brother, Prince John saw fit to appoint a sheriff of his choosing to oversee the running of it. Also, as a reward, he restored the lands that once belonged to my family. Unfortunately, that means there is no further need of you.”

  Lord Locksley went cold all over. This was treason, pure and simple. He supposed he shouldn’t be surprised. This would not be the first time John had tried to usurp his brother or his father. But this time, with Richard abroad, there would be no one to stop him.

  Lord Locksley summoned up a last shred of defiance. If he was going to die, he wouldn’t do it snivelling and begging for mercy.

  “Locksley will never be yours. Robin—”

  “Robin is far away, unable to do anything, and I will make sure he never returns to reclaim his birthright. Besides, the last I heard, he didn’t seem all that interested in it anyway. I will make it my personal mission to destroy all your wretched family, and I am beginning with you.”

  To Be Continued

  * * * * *

  Author’s Note

  The legend of Robin Hood has been a part of British culture for centuries. His story was first told in ballads and has since been retold through theatre, novels, film and television. The story has evolved over time, but the character of the outlaw who stole from the rich and gave to the poor is still a popular figure in the imaginations of people today.

  There are ongoing debates as to whether or not Robin Hood actually existed. No one has ever been able to prove that he did, though it hasn’t been for lack of trying.

  In the earliest ballads, the story of Robin Hood is set during the reign of Edward II. The manor rolls of Wakefield in Yorkshire show that a Robert Hood lived during this period. He is a strong candidate for Robin Hood as he lived close to Barnsdale, the original home of Robin before he later moved to Sherwood. Robert Hood supposedly aided Thomas, Earl of Lancaster, in his rebellion against the king. However, he was forced to go on the run when the rebellion failed. His wife was named Matilda, the original name of Maid Marian as first seen in Anthony Munday’s play, The Downfall of Robert Earl of Huntingdon. There is also a Robin Hood shown as working for Edward II, who was struck off (no reason given), but there’s no proof this was the same man, and the name Robin or Robert and the surname Hood were common.

  The setting for the legend of Robin Hood has altered over time. Later ballads move Robin’s place of refuge from Barnsdale to Sherwood Forest. The stories take place during the reigns of Henry II and his son Richard, known as the Lionheart. It is about this time, too, that Robin’s backstory begins to emerge. He appears to have been born during the reign of Henry II in the village of Locksley. Many storytellers, including myself, have set Locksley as a fictional village near Nottingham and on the borders of Sherwood Forest. Sherwood is actually at some distance from Nottingham town centre, but convenience wins out over geographical accuracy.

  There is, in fact, a Loxley in Yorkshire and also in Warwickshire, where, interestingly, a Robert Fitz Odo lived at the time of Henry II. We know next to nothing about him, except that he was a knight and that this title was later removed. We have no record of him after that. A drawing of Robin Hood’s grave is similar to a grave in Loxley, but there’s no proof that this is the grave of Robert Fitz Odo.

  So, we now have a rough birthplace for Robin, and that isn’t the only change. He goes from a man of the peasant class to a nobleman, variously known as Robin of Locksley, or as Robert, Earl of Huntingdon. As a young man, he accompanies King Richard on a crusade, returning to England to find his lands and title stolen. He then becomes an outlaw and dedicates himself to fighting the tyranny of the Sheriff of Nottingham and Richard’s brother, Prince John. Records show that there were outlaws active around this period, some even bearing the name of Robin Hood or similar variations. However, this cannot be considered as certain proof, as the term Robin Hood was often used to describe thieves and outlaws.

  Though all the events described in this book are entirely fictional, it is, nonetheless, true that the reign of Henry II was marked with family drama. From 1173 until 1174, he was caught up in a rebellion orchestrated by his own sons. Young Henry, as he was known, together with his brothers, Richard and Geoffrey, and Henry’s own wife, Queen Eleanor, sought to remove him from the throne. The rebellion was unsuccessful. Both Young Henry and Geoffrey predeceased their father, leaving Richard as King Henry’s next logical heir. Henry was to be plagued by his rebellious children throughout the rest of his reign. In an effort to placate them, he tried dividing up his kingdom amongst them. John is said to have been unhappy with his lot.

  Richard has always been the more popular, enduring figure. In most Robin Hood stories, Robin is a loyal countryman, and a staunch supporter of King Richard, while being the bane of Prince John’s existence.

  * * * * *

  Look out for

  Knight of Sherwood

  Book 2 of the Outlaw’s Legacy

  Coming Soon

  Robin returns to England after four years fighting in the Holy Land. On arriving at Locksley, he discovers that Guy of Gisborne, his most hated enemy, has been made Sheriff of Nottingham. Forced to flee into Sherwood, Robin sets himself up as champion of the poor.

  But Robin has a secret. His feelings for his friend Will Scathelock have deepened, but to acknowledge the truth would mean facing up to his past. Meanwhile, Lady Marian Fitzwalter, heiress to the vast Huntingdon estate, is determined to claim Robin for her own.

  For more information on upcoming titles in the Outlaw’s Legacy Series, visit www.nbdixonauthor.com

  * * * * *

  Beaten Track Publishing

  For more titles from Beaten Track Publishing,

  please visit our website:

  http://www.beatentrackpublishing.com

  Thanks for reading!