Free Sherwood by S. E. Roberts Page B

she
needed to do.
    The tree came closer and
closer until finally she was able to grip it and swing herself
around the side. The man came around the side of the tree, his eyes
expecting to see her running down the path. Immediately after
seeing nobody in front of him, he turned around searching the area
with his eyes.
    Harlow took no time to
breathe, running around the side of the great oak, jumping on his
back and trying to keep herself on.
    She knew she probably
wasn't going to make it back to Rawley and Elwin. This would be the
end of the game for her, she'd be hit with the arrow and have the
bruise to prove it. She kept fighting, hoping to buy Enders and
Candor better chances with the men chasing after them.
    Harlow kicked at the man's
legs, trying to get him to fall, but lost her balance. Her arms
wrapped around his neck, holding on for dear life as the man shook
her ferociously.
    She expected the pain when
it happened, her body losing it's will to hang on, she was flung
into a nearby tree, crashing to the ground.
    Harlow scrambled to her
feet, trying to remind herself that she wasn't in any real danger.
This was just a game, after all, but that couldn't stop the
pounding of her heart, and the fear in her eyes.
    The moment the man lifted
his bow felt like the world slowed it's motion, a joyous smile
invading his lips as he did so. Harlow watched as he pulled the
string on his bow back.
    Then, time
sped up. An arrow did fly, but the man standing before her
still held his in his hand. A loud thump sounded off of the man's
shoulder as his eyes immediately looked to his right.
    The man shouted a loud
expletive, as he lowered his bow. A smile splayed on his lips as he
looked to his right, addressing the person there. “I've got to say,
that was a damn good shot.” The man shook his head and turned away
from Harlow, walking toward Sherwood City.
    Harlow felt frozen in time.
Her heart hadn't slowed down, and she felt like she was going to
faint from exhaustion.
    Her eyes widened and a sigh
of relief left her lips as she saw Enders come out from behind the
oak tree she'd been thrown against.
    He said nothing, simply
extending his hand to her.
    Harlow muttered a low
“thank you,” before taking his hand and getting on her feet. She
looked around as adrenaline started to pump through her veins.
“What happened to Candor?”
    Enders sighed, frustration
clear in his voice. “He's out.”
    Harlow was slightly taken
aback. “The flag?”
    “ The others
took it back.” Enders took a few steps forward, waiting slightly
for her to walk with him.
    Harlow raised an eyebrow,
sighing. “Are Rawley and Elwin still at the clearing?”
    Enders shook his head.
“They were found out.”
    Harlow let her mouth hang
open. “You and I are the only two left.”
    Enders smiled
sarcastically, tilting his head somewhat. “Not exactly. They're
being held captive. The other team says they'll only give us our
archers if we give them two flags, leaving us with only our own.”
He sighed again, his exhaustion clear at this point. “We could try
and fight them now that they're down one person, but somehow I
don't imagine that ending well.”
    Harlow nodded at the
situation. Silence filled the air for a few minutes as the two
slowed down and leaned against trees.
    “ We don't
have much of a choice.” Harlow said, looking at a groggy Enders.
“We have to fight without Rawley and Elwin.”
    Enders sighed, not wanting
to move. “I know.”
     
    *~*~*
     
    Harlow managed to climb one
of the largest trees on the outskirts of the other teams' meeting
area. She watched down below as the men held Rawley and Elwin at
arrow-point, Enders slowly making his way up a tree.
    The two had come to the
conclusion that it wasn't likely that they'd save either of the
archers in time. When the team was aware of their presence, they'd
make sure to knock Rawley and Elwin out of the game.
    Enders had finally made his
way to a comfortable, high, sturdy branch above the