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

back, and -- Who's that up there?"
Much the Miller's Son plodded down the road with a sack of treasure
over his shoulder, the same as when he'd carried grain and flour for his
father, the same as when he'd met Robin Hood. He waddled along and
thought about... about... wherever he was going...
Whiff! Something plunked in the road alongside him. He stooped slowly
and picked it up. Was it a snake? A bird? No, it was... a crossbow
quarrel. Another slapped the earth nearby and spattered dirt in his
eyes. Who was?..
Much saw the sheriff's men thundering towards him. He knew these
men. They were bad. What would Robin do? He heard his leader's
voice. "Run, Much! Run!"
Much dropped his sack and ran for the deepest, most tangled bushes
he could find.
Moments later the sheriff dismounted in the road, exulting. "It was one
of Robin Hood's men! Look at this silver! No, get away! I'll get it!"
Nicholas scraped the muddy coins together onto the filthy shirt that had
carried them. "Well, it's not such a bad day after all! Robin's treasure
come home! We might even celebrate when we get to the Boar!"
The sheriff remounted, the money on his lap. "Now, let's --"
There came a zip! and thok! The sheriff's horse gave a grunt and
stumbled, squealed, fell.
Nicholas grabbed at the beast's mane as it collapsed in the road. This
time he got clear without tumbling in the mud, but he dropped the
money.
"Sheriff!" the voice echoed all around.
Nicholas raised his arm. There. Down the dappled leafy tunnel of road
sat a lone rider. Long arrows at his back and a long bow held ready
marked the silhouette. The sheriff tried to crab behind his men's mounts.
His men were already in the bushes. Another arrow thudded into the
horse carcass. The arrows were impossibly long, as if hurled by God. "
Hold still!"
Nicholas stood still, alone. His mount twitched, then sighed with finality.
The sheriff sighed too. "Twice in one day."
He brushed back his brocaded sleeves and called down the road. "Who
are you?"
A laugh.
"Goddamn him." In the brush his men cranked their crossbows -- those
who could. The sheriff cursed some more. Robin Hood was outside
crossbow range, but not, obviously, longbow range. "Keep still."
The sheriff cupped his mouth. "What do you want?"
The distant figure bobbed. "Today? Money! I've something to prove!"
"I don't have any --"
Ziiiiip! Something snatched at the sheriff's sleeve. He could see the red
satin lining of his doublet where there should have been only blue.
Sweat broke out on his forehead. But this was gold at stake. He tried
once more. "Your men have already robbed me once!"
"I believe you!" Another laugh. "Truly!"
"Then why do you think I have any money now?"
"You always have money!"