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In the forest a few miles from the town of Locksley,   two men 

are traveling together.   One is of large size and features, 

nearly seven feet tall and very muscular. The other is of 

medium stature.   Though they were not rich, they had merry 

expressions on their faces.   Their names are John and Robin.  

They traveled to join the town garrison.

They have traveled together for a long time and have become very 

good friends.   They traveled to Locksley because they had heard 

that there was need of archers in town.   As they were making camp 

for the night, Robin laughed, "In a couple of days we'll be eating a 

good meal in the barracks and sleeping in fresh beds."   "How do 

you know that there will be good food and beds?" John asked.  

"I've seen the inside of enough Barracks to know what to expect."  

Robin said, with a smile on his face.

The next day they arrived in town and went to an inn to get 

directions.   "What can I get for the two of ya?" asked the 

owner.   "We're wondering where we can enlist." John said.  

"Well you're going to need to go to the Barracks and talk to 

the sergeant." said one of the Men-at-arms who was sitting 

at a nearby table.

They got a drink then left the inn for the barracks.   As they 

left the inn, a log fell out of the fire.   Before anyone could 

put it out, the dry wooden floor was ablaze.   In moments 

the entire floor was engulfed in flames.   John and Robin, 

along with several others escaped, but many were not as 

lucky.

When the soldiers arrived and started asking questions, one of the 

people made an accusation against the green clad archers, saying 

that they had intentionally set the inn on fire and gave the soldiers 

some money.   The soldiers stopped asking questions and went to 

arrest the two, but found them nowhere.   "How long do you think 

we have until they find us?" asked John fearfully.   "I don't know, 

they could find us at anytime, you are a little hard to miss, you 

know." Robin replied quietly.

They somehow hid until nighttime under a cart and made their 

way out of the town, which included climbing the wall.   They 

moved silently through the forest, only stopping once to listen if 

any soldiers were coming.   "When do you think they'll send out 

men?" Robin asked between breaths.   "Not until morning, it's 

only about midnight." John said, looking up at the sky.

They decided to make camp in the trees, since the patrols 

would probably be looking on the ground for them.   The next 

night, they moved further into the forest and made a 

permanent encampment.   There was one idea that they did not 

need to discuss: They were now outlaws!   They knew that 

they would need to live off the land or try to get work in 

another town.

They walked to the the next town, of which happened to be the 

town of Nottingham.   They went to see every artisan and 

person in trade to ask if they were hiring, but none were doing 

so.   As they were leaving town, they saw one of the people 

they had spoken to talking to an officer and pointing in their 

direction.   They had a feeling what they were discussing.  

"There's always the forests up north of here." John said as they 

ran.

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