Читать книгу Robin Hood / Рассказы о Робин Гуде - Группа авторов - Страница 4

Great feasting was on in Nottingham Castle. Merry laughter could be heard. Norman knights and ladies, all friends of the Prince, were present in the hall. They were having a merry time. The dance floor had been cleared and couples were dancing to the music of the orchestra. The banquet table was laden with food and wine. The guests were wining and dining with great gusto.

Prince John, in his splendid costume and jewels, sat with his friends around him and plotted ways to seize the throne. He and Sir Guy spoke in whispers. The Prince wanted to proclaim himself king. He knew the Saxons would oppose him. There might even be a rebellion. He was not afraid because he knew that his soldiers would crush the rebellion. He was determined to become king, and with King Richard held in captivity, this was his chance.

He was furious when Sir Guy told him that Robin had shot the king’s deer. Sir Guy had decided to lie about the poacher.

“How dare he?” roared the Prince. “He shall be hanged for this.”

Barely had he spoken, when Robin, carrying the dead deer on his shoulder, burst in through the door, walked up to the banquet table and laid the deer in front of the Prince. Then he bowed grandly.

The Prince seemed to like Robin’s boldness and invited him to the banquet. Then he asked, “Do you think, as the Saxons do, that we make them pay high taxes?”

“You not only make them pay high taxes, you make them work harder, pay them less and beat or hang them without trial,” Robin replied boldly. “I think you should know that we will not tolerate this much longer.”

“What? You walk in uninvited and then dare to speak to me like this! The tax we are collecting is to pay the king’s ransom, and that money has to be paid to me.”

“Why? You are not the Regent.”

“I have declared myself the Regent.”

“Then you all are traitors,” Robin said to the Normans. “The money you are collecting is not for King Richard’s ransom. I’m sure of that.”

“What can you do about it?” Sir Guy asked.

“I will do what any loyal subject of King Richard would do,” was Robin’s answer. “I will lead a revolt. I will not let Saxons be killed. Hear this all of you. This is a warning. From now on, for every Saxon killed, a Norman will be killed. And we will carry on the fight till we can live as free men, not in fear and at the mercy of you and your men.”

For a moment there was stunned silence. Robin casually sat down. A spear whizzed past him as the Normans shouted, “Kill him! Kill him!”

In a flash, Robin took out his bow. The men stepped back, for Robin was famous for his archery. Robin leapt to a window. He knew Will and Much would be waiting below the window with his horse. He jumped down on to the saddle of his horse and the three men sped away.