Robyn Hood: Fight For Freedom Read Online Free PDF Page A

though Maxine, Edward, and I visited the lower city as was custom for our group.
    While in the city I, on the sly, managed to buy a lovely, burgundy mask with little roses sewn into the corners. My dress was the same shade of burgundy, and was one of my few ensembles that I truly enjoyed. The sleeves were long and open with little roses sewn into the cuffs. It was a v-neck, and had pretty veiling over the red skirts.
    Lord Maxine was to be my escort for the night. I suspected that George might have bullied him into it, but Maxine was willing enough.
    I left my room that evening, meeting Lord Maxine at the stairwell. He admired my cost ume and mask most beautifully. “You look positively stunning Lady Mary. Or should I refer to you as Lady Rose?” he winked.
    Maxine was dressed as a crusader. He wore the white linen tunic with the red cross and the silvery boots and chain mail gloves.
    “Thank you, Lord Maxine,” I said, a smile briefly gracing my lips as I fussed with a strand of hair. (I had taken the trouble tonight to pin my hair up.)
    Although a large part of me, the peasant part, was excited about the prospect of attending, I was worried. I would be able to leave Nottingham Castle tomorrow, but I didn’t have a clue what I should do when I left.
    Maxine took my quiet silence in stride and chivalrously led me to feasting hall, where Lady Elizabeth and Lord Edward were waiting for us. Lady Elizabeth looked positively exquisite, dressed in a beautiful white gown that completed her swan disguise. Lord Edward was dressed like a knight from a chess piece.
    Lady Elizabeth and I gushed over each other’s dresses, but I fell silent when Marian entered the room, on the arm of Sir Guy of Gisborne.
    Marian was wearing a dress that was colored with the muted tones of the forest. She wore soft leather shoes and kid suede gloves that looked suspiciously liked mine. Slung across her back was a rabbit skin quiver, and perched on her head was a brown hat, complete with a pheasant feather.
    Marian was dressed as Robin Hood .
    Marian was dressed as me .
     

    Chapter 3
    My Undoing
    The crowds murmured and shifted, staring at the lively lass who dared to dress like an outlaw in front of Prince John .
    The Prince nervously laughed when he saw her, a whining noise, much like the noise Much makes when Will Stutely sits on his head. Marian smiled prettily, looking as unassuming and innocent as possible.
    The awkward moment blew over without a problem. It was almost just as well Marian had daringly dressed up as Robin Hood because no one saw the tall, gallant gentlemen who entered the room after her.
    Elizabeth turned away from Marian, eager to lay claim on Edward’s attention. “Shall we dance?” she suggested, gesturing to the dance floor where couples were already spinning.
    Edward wordlessly offered his palm. Elizabeth glowed and took it before the two swept off to the dance floor.
    I sourly watched them leave. Dancing was one of the few things I would never be able to fake. Dancing around the May Pole is one thing. Dancing with nobility is an entirely different matter.
    “Do you want to dance?” Maxine asked me with obvious hesitation and dislike. Apparently I was not alone in my distaste.
    “No,” I emphatically replied.
    Maxine looked utterly relieved. “Great,” he brightly said before correcting himself. “I mean, w-what a shame,” he sheepishly laughed.
    By now I was comfortable enough with Maxine that I would occasionally let my peasant-y-ness get the better of me. A perfect example of this is my next action.
    “Man eating fire!” I shouted before hurrying off to stare one of the players.
    Maxine followed and watched me with great amusement as I gazed wide eyed at the players who were hired for tonight’s entertainment. The man had already swallowed the fire, and breathed it out the way a dragon would. He then proceeded to juggle torches, never burning himself on the brilliant flames.
    My eyes were practically