Blind Pilots [Tag Robert]

[Robert Williams]

"Well .... first ..... why don't you tell me your real name." One thing that Roe had learned in hand-to-hand combat over the many years was the importance of conditioning ..... so that he could go long periods of time on his feet ... and to vary his foot positions .... at least until they were exchanging blows, Of course tat was one way for you to prevent your opponent from knowing what your next move would be. "We can make this into a marathon dance if you so desire. You see ..... Patrick ...... I really feel for you .... I really do. I don't want hurt or permanently main you if one of my swords might slip a bit. Of course I know your skill is so elevated over mine that my only way to survive is in a defensive struggle. So really .... I'm fighting this way because I am very concerned about your well-being," he laughed with low chuckle. He now whipped his swords off his shoulder and held them out at the ready, even more prepared now for any move Patrick would make.


”Wasn’t exactly thinking of you as a village idiot, now,” Allan replied, hoping his smile would put Robert off a bit.

"Oh .... what then .... the idiot of the whole shire then. That's quite an improvement," he laughed.

”You’re being a bit harsh there. And I ain’t so sure it’s a good idea to be telling me your weaknesses, now, is it?” he continued, hopefully distracting Robert and convincing him to make a mistake.

What Allan did not know necessarily was that Roe had been the est archer in the shire when he left ... so not being quite as good a swordsman as he as an archer was not saying much. And more than a decade of sword-fighting in the field in the Crusades had given him plenty of experience. Along with the knowledge that he could wait his opponent out until he made a mistake left him quite satisfied with his position. So, what Allan thought was a weakness wasn't one at all, and that he could fight with both hands equally well made him even more dangerous.

He rolled his eyes briefly. ”We gonna be dancing around all day, then?” he taunted. ”I thought you said you were skilled. Shoulda been able to disarm me by now, then, eh? Or are you too afraid of finding out you aren’t as good as you should be, fella?”

"Of course its a result of the knowledge that you are way to advanced and skilled for me. I only fought in the crusades for more than a decade ... what would I know about swordplay or tactics. But it has been an interesting experience and education. For example ... I heard of this con artist who turned his back on Robin Hood's gang for a bit ... went under the name of Allan .... haven't heard of him have you by chance," as he smiles most mischievously. "Such an individual would be the lowest of the low ..... wouldn't you think?"

[Allan A Dale]

He really felt for him? Oh, please, Allan thought to himself, wishing he could make the other man realise that he was talking a load of utter rubbish. And mocking him wasn't exactly making Allan warm to the man again either – of course, Robert still had the great honking swords ready to hack his head off, so the thief was unlikely to warm up to the crusader any time soon anyway. Allan threw off the urge to run up and gut the man – it wouldn't work, Robert was only throwing his own tactics back at him. He stopped circling, standing perfectly still instead, remaining on guard and sighed. It was really starting to get irritating.

And... no, no way in hell did that man just insinuate that he'd realised Allan was... well, Allan, currently infamous traitor and former servant of Sir Guy. There was nothing at all plausible about that. What clue had Allan given away? None, absolutely none at all! The snub hurt, it always did, but he wasn't going to rise to it. ”Who hasn't heard of him?” he asked, voice low. ”Can't think of a worse scumbag. He deserves to rot in hell. Don't appreciate being compared to him, mind you.” Allan raised his eyebrows, trying to look both innocent and confused. ”That... is what you were insinuating, ain't it? Wouldn't go round calling many thieves by the name of a grasser, mate.”

Finally fed up, he lunged forward, putting his sword out as if to strike at Robert, but purposefully not getting close enough – he wanted to draw the other man's guard out, to start the fight.

(OOC: Sorry, short)

[Robert Williams]

Roe knew that his constant needling was really beginning to irritate Allan. However, Roe knew as long as he had the two swords, Allan was not likely to make a major move, each was warily looking for the other to make the first move, so that the other could then make a counter-strike, trying to capitalize on the other's mistake. They both realized that they couldn't keep this up forever. However, what Roe did not know was the untrustworthyness and unevenness of the surface he was walking across. For example, he s treading right next to an area that had settled somewhat and collapsed. One mis-step and he could be in serious trouble. Finally, with a huge sigh, Allan came to a stop, and their dance stopped. Unknown to Roe, though, his foot was right on the edge of the depression, with the soil where he was standing still, slowly, grain by grain, giving away.

Roe saw that calling him Allan had really gotten beneath his skin. He knew that Allan was tired of the circles and he was getting ready to strike. ”Who hasn't heard of him?” he asked, voice low. ”Can't think of a worse scumbag. He deserves to rot in hell. Don't appreciate being compared to him, mind you.” Allan raised his eyebrows, trying to look both innocent and confused. ”That... is what you were insinuating, ain't it? Wouldn't go round calling many thieves by the name of a grasser, mate.”

"Hmmm ..... I don't doubt that he does deserve to rot there, after turning on Robin Hood the way he did ...... but ...... lets shelve the I'm so innocent and I don't know what you're talking about look. Its a real waste of your acting talent ...... Allen, it really is" he said with a sarcastic smile.

Finally fed up, he lunged forward, putting his sword out as if to strike at Robert, but purposefully not getting close enough – he wanted to draw the other man's guard out, to start the fight.

Here it comes Roe said to himself. He quickly lunged forward to meet the thrust, and then, just as suddenly, his left foot gave way and his whole body turned to the right as he fell to his knees, and he felt a sudden pain in his left shoulder that spun him the rest of the away around, Shocked at the sudden turn of events, with his back facing his attacker he wondered to himself, "Is this the end"?, and almost immediately he felt a sudden pain in the back of his head as he fell into the black emptiness of unconsciousness.

[Allan A Dale]

Allan parried the thrust, feeling the full weight of the man behind it and keeping a groan of effort out of his breathing, but was confused when he didn't find the attack followed through. He blinked, taking in his surroundings (his mind no longer determinedly looking for an attacking opponent) and was confused to find the man lying on the floor before him, seemingly knocked out by his own sword hitting him in the head as he landed on the floor. He waited for a moment, wondering if this was some odd ruse to try and get him to let his guard down before he walked up gingerly and tapped the man's leg with the flat of his blade.

Getting no response, he edged closer and round towards the top half of Robert's body, kicking the sword away and watching his face closely. He was definitely breathing as if he were asleep or unconscious – so few people realized that it was hard to fake a sleep breathing pattern – and Allan relaxed his grip on his sword, leaning down and testing the man's skull for damage. He was definitely not getting back up anytime soon, at the very least, but he probably wouldn't die from bleeding or something. Allan was a little thankful for that, at least – he hadn't really wanted to kill the man, even if he was extremely annoying. With luck, he might think he'd been dreaming and forget all about Allan by the morning.

Of course, not wanting to kill him didn't mean he wasn't going to do nothing to the man. Allan instantly went for the shoes – they were in a reasonably good condition, and Kate had said she wanted a pair of boots... It was so awkward walking round the forest when she was in those flimsy little shoes she had – and the sturdy boots looked like they'd make a good gift. At any rate, he reckoned Kate could do something with them, and it had become a little game, trying to find the oddest thing he could to take to her. He then searched Robert's person, finding a few coins and a couple of daggers that would sell well, or perhaps Djaq could make use of. He decided to leave the man his swords – he wasn't totally cruel – but took the bow and considered snapping it in half, before chucking it into the woods instead. Let the man go searching for it, that would be more entertaining.

Done with his looting of the unconscious man, he proceeded to walk over to the man's sturdy horse and mutter a few calming words to it, patting it gently on the nose. It sure was a beauty of a horse, and must have cost the man a lot of money – just a shame he didn't take better care of his possessions. Allan quickly saddled himself up and rode off, leaving the ex-Crusader behind, along with most of his guilt.

But only most. Bloody Robin and his bloody morals. He hadn't even made it halfway back to the camp when he started realising that he felt horrible for stealing the man's stallion, and leaving him where other, less savory characters (and yes, Allan just thought that) could find him and finish what Allan couldn't. Not that he'd be going back any time soon – if he did, he thought he'd have his hands full of angry Crusader – and so instead he decided to be a little bit charitable to make up for his villainy.

He headed to Knighton. Talking with Kate had acquainted him with the villagers, even if he didn't talk to them, and she always kept him up to date on who needed what, or what everyone else was doing. As such, he knew that there was a young man who was quite good with horses living with the blacksmith, and Allan left the stallion tied up outside the smithies, knocking on the door before running away. He also gave away his earnings, and left the boots under a bush so he could give them to Kate the next time he saw her.

Pleased, and slightly annoyed at his conscious, he headed home to likely be scolded by Much for being out so late.

(OOC: End?)

[Robert Williams]

OOC - Yes .... that's the end ..... but since he's the carpenter in Locksley now ... and Roe has made the acquaintance of a bounty hunter ... Allan may have more to worry about in the future .... LOL ... and this Crusader never forgets ..... thx for tidying it up ... and at least Allan won .... for now!