ACT 1
Robin peered out from behind the thick bushes to see the small carriage rolling down the hill. Just as Robin’s spy within Kinzingham Castle had expected, the carriage was lightly guarded in an attempt to pass through Kinzwood Forest unnoticed. But Robin knew that travelling in that carriage was Queen Cowalor, on a journey to visit the evil Sheriff of Kinzingham and bestow on him even more power than the sadistic Sheriff already held over the poor peasants of Kinzingham.
Although he had no desire to harm the Queen, Robin knew that the grand dame would be laden with riches and he couldn’t let this opportunity pass. Ever since the day he had been declared an outlaw for standing up to the Sheriff in defense of the impoverished residents of Kinzingham, Robin had worked tirelessly to ease the burden of the peasants. The taxes demanded by the Sheriff were steep, but for every KinzCash collected, it seemed like Robin was there to steal them back and dole out his haul to the poor.
Robin’s sidekick, Much, stumbled up the hill toward him.
“Ssshh!!” Robin whispered as Much tripped over his sword.
“Sorry!” replied Much. “The others are back at the camp. Are you sure we aren’t going to need more ‘Kinz to pull this thing off? I mean – that IS the Queen of Kinzland in that carriage.”
“Certain.” Robin answered. “Mai- I mean, my contact in the castle tells me that the Queen only has one guard. They don’t want to draw attention to themselves. And I don’t want our whole band of Merry ‘Kinz marching through the forest, announcing our presence.”
“It just seems odd.” Said Much thoughtfully. “The Queen travelling with just one guard.”
“Ssh!”
As the carriage rolled past, Robin and Much leapt out of the bushes and into the path of the carriage.
“Halt!!!” called out Robin. “We mean you no harm. Hand over your KinzCash and any gold you are carrying and we will let you pass.”
“No – YOU halt!” declared a deep voice from within the carriage. And suddenly, the occupant of the carriage appeared. Whoever it was was not the Queen – and not alone! It was the evil Sheriff and his wicked sidekick, Lady Gayle of Kinzbourne.
“You fell right into our trap, Hood! Now give yourself up!” The Sheriff demanded as he pulled his heavy broadsword from its scabbard.
With the Sheriff, Lady Gayle and the guard, it was three against two, but Robin and Much were up to the task. The two drew their swords. As Much fought the Sheriff, Robin faced off against Lady Gayle and the guard. The sunlight that filtered through the trees bounced off the dancing swords and the clang of steel upon steel rang out through the forest.
Robin had soon overpowered the guard but the Lady Gayle was a formidable opponent. Their swords met again and again but just as Robin started to feel he might be gaining the upper hand, from the corner of his eye he saw Much falter in his battle with the Sheriff. Seeing his faithful servant in danger, Robin leapt to Much’s aid. Much recovered his bearings just in time to see both the Sheriff and Lady Gayle descend upon his master.
“Run, Much!” Robin screamed as, with a wicked grin, Lady Gayle threatened him with the tip of her sword as the sheriff held him down.
“Robin, no!” cried Much.
“RUN!!!” Robin ordered, just before Lady Gayle clapped a gloved hand over his mouth.
Much paused for a second, but realized that there was nothing he could do and that the best course of action would be to return to the camp and enlist the help of the other Merry ‘Kinz.
As Much dashed off through the trees, he looked back to see Lady Gayle tying Robin’s hands behind his back and shoving him roughly into the carriage.
LOVED IT!! Can’t wait for the next act!!
AWESOME-NESS!!!