Free Shadow of the Wolf by Tim Hall Page A

All the places we’ll see and the stories we’ll hear and everything we’ll make of our lives! We can make a new home, wherever we choose. And when we feel like it we’ll get up and go on again, and then we’ll pick a new place, and call
that
home – anywhere and everywhere, that’s where home will be, so long as we’re together. You and me versus the world, the way it’s always been.’
    Robin stood and moved about their chamber. There was something he had been meaning to do for some time. He rummaged through all the trinkets they had found and stolen over the years: he threw aside a cracked ewer, a folding travel altar, a necklace of acorns. He found what he was looking for: a stonemason’s chisel. He carried it to the basement. From his hunting pouch he took the jade arrowhead Marian had given him when they first met. He placed the arrowhead on a chopping block. He used the poll of their wood-axe as a hammer, bringing it down on the haft of the chisel. The arrowhead cracked first time neatly down the middle. Using cradle knots he tied willow twine to each half.
    As he carried the twin amulets back to their chamber, he heard a drumming sound, growing louder – the rolling rumble of hooves. Marian was already climbing the ladder, into the crown of the tower. Robin followed.
    They stood at the edge of the parapet, blinking in the dawn light, and they watched a cloud of dust drawing down the valley. A poisonous hush had spread through the manor. It was so quiet Robin could hear the odd word drifting from the servants’ quarters. He thought he heard somebody saying that name they had heard last night:
Sir Bors
. Somebody else hissed, very clearly: ‘No, it’s him, he’s here!’
    Armed riders became visible. There were four of them, wearing blood-red cloaks and black steel breastplates. Stark against those breastplates was an image, embossed in red lacquer. It was difficult to see at this distance, but the emblem looked like a wolf, its teeth bared.
    ‘The Sheriff’s Guard,’ Marian said.
    The soldiers disappeared from view as they drew close. Gerad Blunt came limping along the battlements and climbed into the barbican tower. He was shouting something,but Robin couldn’t make out the words. The gates remained closed and bolted.
    ‘It looks like Burram was wrong,’ Marian said. ‘The Sheriff isn’t with them. Either way, this will work to our advantage. While Father’s distracted, we’ll slip away, and he won’t even notice. What’s that you’re holding?’
    Robin held up both palms, revealing the twin arrowhead amulets. Marian smiled and bit her lower lip. She tipped her head back and gathered up her hair. Robin reached behind her neck and tied the cord. She took the second talisman from him and tied it so it hung as his chest. When she’d finished she stayed there, pressing lightly against him. She turned her eyes up to meet his.
    ‘Robin – don’t you see? We shouldn’t be sad, or frightened. This isn’t the end. This is the beginning. Of everything.’
    She put two fingers to her lips, then touched them to Robin’s forehead. She moved away, biting her lip. She came back, stood on tiptoes, kissed him properly on the chin. She opened her mouth wide and rolled her eyes in mock shock. Then she was dancing away, glancing back, grinning.
    ‘I’ve thought of more things we need, I’ll go and pack. Just think of it, the whole world, ours to conquer! As soon as the storm clears we’ll be on our way. Look at that sky! Don’t stand up here too long.’
    Their eyes met once more through the closing trap door, and she was gone. Robin put a hand to his chin and in spite of everything he found he was smiling. Yes, she was right, of course she was. Whatever was happening here, this was no place for them, not any more. They should go their own way, build a life free from the whims of Mistress Bawg or Marian’s father or anyone else.
    Maybe … maybe they would even find them, out there somewhere. He