Part One
Aster shifted her feet, already beginning to feel restless from riding in the wagon for so long. If only the others would let her ride on Cranberry, their mastiff. She wasn’t an experienced enough druid to turn into a wolf and walk that way. At least, not for very long. Even so, she couldn’t go quite as fast as Neil insisted they go.
Instead, Aster lay against the heavy wooden side of the wagon, holding Mortimer, her pet duck, and watching the trees go past. The trees were far too thick and the air too misty for the sun to reach the party of six, but the passing moss-covered trunks were entertaining enough to keep Aster’s interest.
Neil, the resident swindler and the leader of the party, rode in the front in the fanciest wagon that Aster had ever seen. He’d recently bought it from his latest spoils, and seemed very pleased with his purchase. Aster mostly saw it as a waste. The wooden wagons held more, and let you be in the forest at the same time.
Aster had been asked to join the group after healing Brafruil, who was riding just behind Neil’s carriage. The reckless dwarf had gotten into a bar fight, and ended up passing out, and Neil had convinced her to join on the grounds that they sorely needed a healer. Brafruil often rode on his war pony, which he packed with jugs of alcohol. Brafruil rarely seemed to carry much more than alcohol, claiming it made him stronger.
Ramsey was a quiet soul who usually rode ahead of the rest of the team on his horse. He was the first person Aster had talked to in the party, and then he’d never really talked to her again. He was a good man with a lot of skills, but he seemed to find Aster annoying. Thus, Aster stayed away.
She rode with the Wizard, Ivuras in the wooden cargo wagon. He was part demon, which always seemed a little off putting to those that ran into the party. Aster always felt like the air around him was dry, as if it was seconds away from catching on fire, but he still was about the only member that she felt comfortable enough around to actually spend time with.
Aster glanced out at the trees again, glad to see the forest thinning slightly. The sun was beginning to break through, leaving dappled patters all across her plain tunic. As the sun broke between two different trunks, Aster saw a shadow dart between two trees, following them.
Who was that? She wondered, sitting up and watching more intently. The figure appeared again, lithely jumping between two trees before ducking into the underbrush and disappearing without a sound.
“Ivuras, did you see that?” Aster asked, narrowing her eyes and watching. The figure did not appear again.
“What was it?” Ivarus asked, looking up from his books with a wary eye. “I haven’t sensed any presence in this forest.”
“I just saw a man out there, between the trees. He was following us.”
“Relax, Aster. It was probably some wildlife.You got stressed out at our last battle, that’s all,” Ivarus said, nodding to her. “Why don’t you get some rest?”
“No, I saw something. There’s a man following us.” Aster peered back into the forest, still watching for the figure. For several minutes, there was nothing. Only the passing song of a bird and the clops of their horses permeated the silence.
Then, the figure appeared again, but this time, he didn’t hide. He stood up, looked Aster straight in the eye, and waved. Aster couldn’t see his face through the shadows, but she did see the bow slung across his back and the hat of his head.
“Ivarus, he’s there again!” Aster said, frantically turning around and trying to get the wizard’s attention.
Ivarus sighed and looked, shaking his head and rolling his eyes. “Aster, please. I’m very busy. I set up a detection spell, and there is nothing there. You’re imagining things.”
Aster huffed and turned, seeing the man pop up again. She rolled her eyes and waved at him. He waved back, then held a finger to his lips and ducked down into the brush again.
What is he doing? Aster thought leaning out of the wagon to try and see better.
“You’re going to fall, Aster. I suggest sitting back down,” Ivarus said, not even looking up. “You really do need to learn how to calm down on long trips like there. You’re like a child at times.”
“Ivarus, I saw him again. I swear, I’m not lying.”
“I don’t think you are. I think that you really do believe that you are seeing that man. This forest is full of tricks though, Aster. My spell hasn’t picked anything up, so I’m confident that whatever this forest is using to try and lure you away isn’t actually there.”
“On the contrary, my good sir, I am quite real,” A smooth voice said. The same figure that Aster had seen darted in front of Ramsey’s horse with a flourish, a reddish blur followed behind him. A fox pounced at his feet, curling his tail around the man’s ankles.
For once, Aster got a good look at the man. He had sharp facial features, with a long, pointed nose to match. His eyes were almost completely hidden beneath long, ruddy bangs and a green hat, but little hints of amber still glinted in the dapples of sunlight. He looked exactly like the human version of the red fox that stood at his feet.
Ramsey quickly halted his horse and the horses pulling Neil’s carriage. Neil popped his head out, looking about in confusion.
“What is the hold up? I’d like to get to Goldrim before the day is out.”
“I shan’t take up much of your time, sir. I simply see that you are a man that has more than he needs, and would like a donation to the poor.”
“So you’re robbing us, eh?” Neil said, glowering and opening the door. “I don’t find that very honorable of you.” Aster saw him reach for his throwing knives in his coat, slowly choosing a couple and preparing to throw.
The man rolled his eyes and pulled out his bow. “I really don’t want to have this devolve into a fight, sir.”
“Why? Because you’d loose?”
“On the contrary, because I don’t wish to cause you harm. I have thirty other men here in these woods, and I’m afraid a small band such as yourself would be slightly outnumbered. All I want is a small donation for the poor in Waidshire.”
“Define ‘small donation.’”
“I expect one such as yourself carries a good amount, isn’t that right? One with such a fancy transport as yourself must carry at least 50 gold with him. I shan’t ask for much more.”
Aster leaned over to Ivarus. “Does he even have that much anymore?”
“I think he does. Even so, I don’t believe our little robber will be satisfied with whatever Neil may have. I expect he’ll want something from all of us. Road robbers aren’t known for their mercy.”
“I told you someone was following us.”
Ivarus sighed and glared at her. “Excuse me for not believing you. He must have had a shielding spell.”
Neil glared and pursed his lips. “I have a proposal- I duel you. One on one. I lose, I give you 50 gold.”
“And if I lose?”
“You let us go free. That’s it.”
“Alright. I accept,” The man said, bowing slightly. Neil jumped down from his wagon and faced him.
“Twenty paces?”
“Bow verses throwing knife, I’m to take it,” the man said, gesturing at Neil’s weapon in his hand. “Ten paces would make it more fair for you.”
“Then lets get on with it, then. I have places to be.” Neil huffed, turning his back. The two paced away from one another.
One. Two. Aster had seen what Neil was capable of. He was arguably one of the most dangerous of the group.
Three. Four. He wasn’t as strong as Brafruil, wise as Ivarus, or as fast as Ramsey. But he was extremely cunning and deadly accurate with his knives.
Five. Six. Aster had no idea how capable the robber was.
Seven. Eight. Aster didn’t know whether she needed to worry about Neil, or the fox-faced man.
Nine. Ten. She was ready to heal whoever came out wounded. That was all.
As soon as the tenth pace was taken, the fox-faced man spun around, fluidly releasing an arrow in Neil’s direction, catching directly into the swindler’s side. Neil dropped his knife, ready in his hand, in a shocked daze before clutching his side and falling to his knees.
“Neil!” Aster said, quickly gathering bandages and racing towards him. Ramsey was already kneeling at his side, cleaning the wound, and Ivarus was gathering extra medical supplies and following Aster.
The fox-faced man leaned down over Aster as she worked, watching her work like a hawk. Her hands trembled as she bandaged the wound and using her magic to bind the skin back together.
“Will you pay me now, chap?”
“You just shot me!” Neil shouted, glaring at him.
“Be glad I didn’t shoot where I would have liked to. I could have aimed for your heart just as easily. You should also thank your healer, you know. It’s a thankless job, and you’ve snagged yourself a very talented one.”
Aster blushed, and bowed politely to the man. “Thank you, sir.”
“You are a mad man.” Neil huffed and picked up his fallen knife, wiping the dirt from its blade.
“Maybe I am, maybe I’m not, but I would like the promised payment. I take it you are a man of honor, am I correct?”
Neil shakily stood up, throwing off his bloodied bandages and walking towards the carriage, his skin now completely healed over. It was as though the wound had never been there. He tossed a small bag of coins at the fox-faced man’s feet, scowling and climbing back into his carriage. “Now please, let us be on our way. We have a long way to go before we reach goldrim.”
“Not so fast. If any of you others have anything to donate, I’d be very grateful. I’d rather not have to fight all of you, you see.”
Ivarus tossed him a medallion. “It’s been enchanted to glow when touched. It would be worth far more to you than to me.” The fox faced man bowed and accepted the medallion. Brafruis grabbed several servings of food from the wagon and placed it at the man’s feet, then took a swig of brandy. Ramses gave a cloak and some silver coins to the man before mounting his horse and returning to the front of the line.
Aster looked at her belongings. Bloodied bandages, plain clothing, and a duck. She didn’t consider herself particularly materialistic, and it showed. All she had ere healing supplies, basic supplies, and a friend.
“I’m sorry sir, I have nothing much to offer. The only thing I have of value is Mortimer, and I couldn’t bear to part with him. Besides, I don’t know how much use a duck would be,” she said, smiling. The man grinned and help out a hand to her.
“Well then, I have an idea. Waidshire was just involved in a recent land dispute, and many of the poor inside are sick or injured, but all of their doctors and healers are still at war. your services would be extremely useful to us.
For once, Aster saw Ivarus- the friend who she’d never seen pull an expression besides mild annoyance- get mad. “Surely, Surely, you aren’t suggesting that we lend Aster to you! She’s the only healer we have. She’s part of our team. If you need, I’ll pay for her passage as well, but we are not simply going to hand her over to you.”
The man looked thoughtful, but shook his head. “I’ve made up my mind. Her services there would be invaluable. There is no gold price that could pay for the lives of those dying of malady right now.”
Neil opened the door again, glaring daggers at the man. “You’re kidnapping our healer?”
“Kidnapping is such a strong word, friend,” The man said, absently placing a hand on his bow at the sight of Neil. “I will only take her so far as she is willing. If he is not, then you may go. I will ask for nothing more.”
Neil gave Aster a look. The kind of look that says everything silently.
You say yes, and I will be very cross with you.
Aster had been part of the group for only a few weeks, and had luckily stayed out of the spotlight. She only trusted most of them as far as she could throw them, and mostly stayed for the adventure and pay. Nonetheless, it was quite lonely. And thankless. When she was honest with herself, she was afraid of the other members.
If you go. You can help a lot of people. You can take a break from Neil’s endless quest for wealth. You can do something worth your while.
Aster bit her lip, and nodded to the fox-faced man. “I’ll go.”
Neil’s face contorted as he glared at Aster.
“Never worry, Friend. I will return her to you in a weeks time. Just return here to this stretch of road, and I will gladly give her back to you. Then, our payment will be complete.”
Ivarus surveyed the man, his dark eyes squinting, as if trying to read the fox-faced man’s soul. “You promise that no harm whatsoever will befall Aster, correct?”
“Of course i’ll personally make sure that she is safe for the entire week.”
“And if you do not return her in a weeks time? How do we know that you will keep your word?” Ivarus asked.
The man shrugged. “Whatever would please you, chap. I promise to hold my word. I’m not one to promise things lightly.”
Ivarus looked thoughtful ,before coming up with an idea. “One of your men. We’ll trade Aster for a competent fighter from your force. If you do not return her alive and well in one week, then we will keep your man on ours.”
The Fox faced man closed his eyes and nodded slowly and deliberately. “John? You up for it?” He called. A bulky man lumbered out of the brush, carrying a heavy broadsword. “This is Little John, one of my closest friends and allies. I believe this will be a fair trade.
Neil opened his mouth, as if to say something, but promptly shut it when the fox-faced man placed his hand over his bow again.
“Got out, Healer.”
Aster waved goodbye to a shocked Ivarus, a drunk Brafruis, and a silent Ramsey before grabbing Mortimer and hopping out of the cart, going to stand next to the fox-faced man. Her new leader. Little John jumped into the cart where she had been sitting, smiling at the perturbed Ivarus.
There was a creaking of wood and the whinny of horses as the party started to move again. Aster watched them go until they disappeared down the road.
“Well, that’s that,” the man said, sighing and rolling his eyes. “I really hate swines. That fellow, in the carriage. Neil, right?”
“Yes. What about him?”
“How in the world do you put up with him?”
Aster laughed. “He’s not that bad, so long as you don’t get in his way.”
“Well, Aster -that was your name, wasn’t it?- We really ought to get going. Waidshire isn’t very far, but it’ll be nightfall before we arrive if we don’t hurry.” The man began walking, joining a myriad of shadowed figures hiding among the brush. He wasn’t lying when he said thirty other men... Aster thought, watching as they emerged form seemingly nowhere.
Aster followed the man, running to catch up with him. “Excuse me, sir. You know my name, but I don’t yet know yours. What do I call you?”
“Call me Robin. Robin Hood.”
