“A Friar?” Robin scowled. “Why should I give all this gold to a Friar?”
“Because he will give it back to the people?” Eva insisted.
“But why?” Robin stood as he waved his hands in the air. “We did all the hard work and took all the risk, why should I give this hard-earned gold to the people?”
“Look Robin, I promised you big gains.” Eva took a deep breath in. “And I will deliver, but every now and then, you have to sacrifice some of your small gains for bigger ones.”
Robin walked around the tiny room Eva rented above the inn. There wasn’t much clutter in the room, just the bed, table and two chairs which they occupied earlier. Still, Robin acted as if he was in a prison cell filled with torture devices as he walked the length and width of the room.
“All your info were spot on.” Robin finally sat. “The tax collector didn’t give us much trouble, the merchant was easy prey and even the lady from the city surrendered everything in a heartbeat, it was as easy as taking candy from a babe.” He held one hand in the other in a plead. “But all this lovely gold, given away?”
“Yes, Robin.” Eva’s voice went up a notch. “And this act of giving will bring you ten times the gain.” She sighed. “Right now you are an outlaw, an outcast and people will rejoice in handing you over and killing you.”
Eva touched Robin’s hands lightly. “But when you give part back, people will see you as a hero, they will protect you, they will even assist you in your next exploits.”
“And the friar would ensure that this happens?” Robin almost cried.
“Your actions would ensure that, not the friar.” Eva shook her head. “He is just a tool we will use.”
“And I will get even bigger marks than the tax collector and the merchant?” Robin whined.
“I promise you that you will grow sick with the sight of gold soon enough.” Eva smiled.
“All right, then let’s go see the good friar about a lot of gold.” Robin sobbed.
***
“Friar Tuck.” Eva curtisied. “Pleased to see you again.”
“Lady Marion, the pleasure is all mine.” The overwieghted friar moved around the place like he was floating, slding from the wine shelves in the back of the cellar to the desk where Robin and her sat.
“Lady Marion?” Robin whispered to Eva, who just made a hushing sound.
“To what should I owe the pleasure of your visit?” Friar Tuck sat heavily on the other side of the desk.
“A donation.” Eva smiled slyly. “One given by the new hero of Sherwood forest, Robin the hood.”
“Never heard of him.” The friar pursed his lips. “But all donations are welcome, the community here is poorer than a church mouse, they need any thing coming their way.”
“Well, here he is.” Eva made a grand gesture towards Robin. “The man, the legend, the infamous outlaw out to bring justice to this land.”
“I am?” Robin looked in confusion to Eva, then he nodded at her glare. “I am, indeed I am.”
“Well met master Robin.” Friar tuck brought out the donation signing book he kept on hand. “How much are you willing to give back to God’s work, esteemed Sire?”
“Ten thousand gold coins.” Eva rushed to answer, as Robin let out a low whimper.
“Ha ha ha.” Friar Tuck laughed after a moment of hesitation. “Good one your ladyship.”
“I am serious Friar, deadly so.” Eva’s eyes shone with an inner light that scared not only the Friar, but Robin as well.
“You are serious?” Friar Tuck looked at her in complete shock. “This is almost twice the amount stolen last week from the tax collector’s carriage.”
Eva smiled a mysterious smile as Robin slapped his forehead.
“Oh.” Friar Tuck pulled a dirty handkerchief from his habit and wiped hard on his forehead. “THAT Robin Hood.”
“The very same.” Eva continued her mysterious smile.
“Then by all mean.” The Friar jumped up and ran to the wine shelves. “Allow me to share some wine with you, this is as hard a bit of news as it gets.”
“Have it your way, Friar, we are only hoping to help.” Eva smiled as Robin winced.
If you liked this story, be sure to check the prior episodes of this serialized story here: Episode One, and Episode Two.
If you want to support us, please check out published books: The Eternal Agarthans, Through The Storm, The Green Boy, and The Trinity’s Dream.
Kindle Unlimited Membership Plans