Читать книгу Robin Hood / Рассказы о Робин Гуде - Группа авторов - Страница 6

At Nottingham Castle, Prince John was very angry. He paced up and down the hall, furious. Robin had dared to kill two of his knights! He would not tolerate such an insult.

A death warrant was prepared. The Prince signed it and gave it to Sir Guy, saying, “Declare Robin an outlaw, seize his castle and his lands. Issue orders that he must be killed on sight!”

But the Normans failed to catch Robin, even though their spies were everywhere.

“He has killed so many of my men,” wailed Sir Guy, “yet he roams free. Why? He terrifies my men with his bow and arrows. Why can’t we get him?”

“How can anyone catch him, when every Saxon is his friend? They protect him,” said one knight.

“I’m told that his outlaws are fearless and very loyal to him. It is said that they rob the rich and give to the poor. We Normans say that Robin kills Normans, but we have been informed that he does not kill just any Norman who crosses his path. He kills only those who have plundered Saxons. I’m told that he is very gentle with women and children and protects them at all times,” said another.

“What’s this I hear?” Sir Guy exclaimed. “You seem to be singing the praises of Robin, and here we are thinking of ways to kill him!”

“But no one knows where he is,” said the Sheriff. “I have tried with my best men, believe me, but we just can’t find him.”

“I have sent so many spies to the forest,” said one of the guards. “We all know that he and his men are there. I have also sent my spies to all the Saxon villages, but not one has returned with any news. The Sheriff’s spies have failed too, haven’t they?”

The Sheriff nodded his head.

“Yes, they have all failed. Persons who think that the Normans have wronged them have joined Robin Hood, as he calls himself now, in Sherwood Forest. They all live there, but where in the forest? Even the forest seems to shelter them.”

After a while, the Sheriff continued, “We’ll get him! I shall myself command the troops to guard Lady Marian and you, Sir Guy, when you pass through the forest to Kenilworth Castle. And,” he added, thumping the table with his fist, “I pray that I can catch that rascal by the scruff of his neck!”

“Enough of your boasting,” said Sir Guy rudely. “I am carrying Robin’s death warrant. His castle and lands have been seized. He’s an outlaw now. Where can he hide?”

Barely had he spoken when a black arrow whizzed through the window, pierced the warrant and pinned it onto the table.

There was absolute silence.