"Clayton Emery - Robin Hood's Treasure" - читать интересную книгу автора (Emery Clayton)

"We don't owe her nothing. You know and I know she lies like a flounder
--"
Little John walked fast and everyone struggled to keep up with him. The
deep woods were warm and buzzy with late-day heat. Pale green
translucent leaves unfolded almost as they watched. Lizards basked in
sandy patches. Digger wasps bored by, heavy with eggs. "No, we don't
know that. She's supposed to have ninety marks and we only gave her
eighty. That leaves ten we owe her, if my countin' is right, and you'll
probably tell me it ain't."
Will Stutly croaked, "Slow down, John! For Christ's sweet mercy!"
The giant stopped altogether. The five foresters stood in the middle of
the road and felt they should have been walking.
Little John explained, "We're giving her ten marks, and that's all there is
to it. If you want to argue, take it up with Robin. You know he's funny
about honorin' women. Are you going to tell him we shorted a widow in
need?"
Scarlett sliced at the iron-red head of a foxglove with his knife. He said
nothing.
"Right then. Anyone doesn't want to go with me to Three Oaks can
return to camp. Well? Right then. Let's go."
"Slowly," said Stutly.
"Slow it is. I'm easy."
Another two hours' of shortcut brought them to Three Oaks. The ruins
stank of damp ashes.
Simon said, "There's no one here."
Will Scarlett said, "No. There isn't."
Brand pointed. "Fresh horse turds here."
Little John scratched his beard. Then stopped.
The Sheriff of Nottingham and his men stood up from behind the
wreckage of the hall. Four soldiers covered them with crossbows. The
other four were behind.
Nicholas grinned like a wolf. "The tables are turned. I took your advice,
Little John. Our crossbows are cocked and nocked this time."
Little John frowned. "Where are your horses?"
"Far down the road, west. I didn't bring them anywhere near here. Shall
I shoot you now?"
Little John drilled his quarterstaff into the ground. "Shoot as you please,
just don't tell Robin we walked into your trap."
Will Scarlett asked, "How did you know we'd come here?"
The sheriff put his hands on his hips and puffed out his chest. "I knew it
because -- Stay there, Will Stutly! I like you in a covey. It makes a
smaller target. I came here --"
The giant stopped his drilling. He thumped his staff on the ground. "Do
you want your purse back?"
"That and my eighty marks. I --"
Little John dragged out his purse and hefted it, making it look heavy.
Will Scarlett snatched it away. "Let me give it to him."
Robin's cousin dumped the contents of the purse into his hand. Coins
spilled into the blackened grass.
"Here now," called the sheriff, "you fool! Give me that --"