storybroken | [event: flashback]

[ Robin's lips turn upwards at the description. He can't afford the same gesture considering his own position, but he does allow some of his posture to relax. ]

Prince John paints me as he would hide himself, a coward who works in the shadows and takes the belongings of others only for my pure enjoyment and prosperity. [ The smirk widens, shifts into something of a more genuine smile. ] Personally, I like the other version better. It's closer to the truth, anyway.

So, Your Ever-So-Highness, what brings you out to my little corner of the woods? Shouldn't you be busy being princely on the other side of the realm lines?

[James isn't unaware of Prince John's reputation--even among other royals. His own kingdom is on hard times, but from what he's seen, this kingdom suffers for John's expense. Still, he's not going to let that on so quickly--not until he has a better measure of Robin.]

So you say, and yet it was you who tackled me off my horse.

[Carefully he takes a strafing step to the side to put John in better vision and a little further away, as well as putting a nearby tree that much closer and thus a potential hiding stop for those arrows.]

Just out for a little ride. I can't stay up cooped up in the castle all day; it's bad for your health.

I don't know why you're surprised. I am a bandit, James, that part's true no matter what story you look at.

[ There it goes. It didn't take long for him to cozy up to the target, and considering James is alone, his royal heritage doesn't do much for him anyway. Robin's bow follows the man precisely as he moves, hand tensing on the drawstring, while John takes a step forward. He appears unarmed, but considering his size, that may not be a problem for him. ]

Bit of a ways to go just to get some air. By the way, I'd appreciate it if you stopped moving. You're making my man nervous.

[ Contrary to that, neither of the men appear nervous so much as on guard and ready to jump into action should it be necessary. ]

[Luckily, although James does freeze, the angle lets him slide his free hand down toward his dagger potentially without it being seen. He strives not to let on through his body posture; instead he keeps talking to distract the both of them from what he's doing. If he can just get his dagger he should have enough to distract Robin with a throw ...]

I think if anyone here has the right to be nervous it's me. After all, it's two against one, here, and your man's a giant. And it's my brother's influence. He enjoys a bit of travel.

Edited 2011-11-14 08:37 (UTC)

[ Robin holds still, taking the opportunity James' movement provides to stand. His aim doesn't waver, but it's easier on him this way. ]

Little John here's just protective, that's all.

With good reason.

Because you're a worrywart. Now... where were we? Oh, right. Seeing as you're a prince and all, James, here's what I figure we can do: you let us take any valuables you've got on you, and we'll be on our merry way, absolutely no need to get violent. You wouldn't take anything irreplaceable with you on a little jaunt through the countryside, right?

[James snorts at John's nickname and then tilts his head, pursing his lips slightly as if in thought.]

I'd rather say 'no', if it's all the same to you.

[He doesn't give them time to let the words sink in before his hand darts the rest of the way to his dagger, drawing it with a ring of steel and hurling it at Robin in the same smooth motion. At the same time he spins to the side toward the tree to dodge the inevitable arrow.]

[ The inevitable arrow, as it turns out, has shifted focus to the much more imminent danger of the dagger. Robin shoots at it moments before he dives out of the way, already another arrow nocked as he whips around to find the prince. John is only too eager to help by pointing James' position out. ]

Robin! There.

... I see him. [ The shot isn't good enough, but even in the forest—especially in the forest—James wouldn't be able to last for long if he tries to flee. This is Robin's domain. ] Nice trick, Your Highness! You going to come out and play with the big boys now?

[ It's about now that the momentary high wears off and Robin realizes he's bleeding. His shot went too wide, the distances had been too small to change the course of the dagger, and his arm has a good slice taken out of it. Nothing too damaging, but the scar's going to have quite a story to tell when all is said and done. ]

Edited 2011-11-14 09:13 (UTC)

I thought we'd already started!

[James is already scanning the trees, wondering how many men Robin has out there and whether he should try running for it. Probably not, he concludes; even if he got away from these two, they still knew the forest much better than him. No, there has to be another way out of this, and the gossip he heard from the yeomen might be enough to tell him what it is.]

But since you insist--I challenge you to a duel, Robin Hood.

[ Despite Little John's quiet groan ("Oh no..."), Robin perks up. He shifts to try and get a better lock on the prince, but his stance has changed. Now he seems interested. ]

What sort of duel?

[And apparently it is. Excellent; maybe James will get out of this yet--without losing his life or valuables. The prince hears John's reaction but doesn't respond to it except with a quirk of his brow.]

A duel with swords. If I win, you and your men let me leave peacefully and with all my possessions. Including the horse.

[Assuming the third man caught him.]

Swords? [ Pssht. ] Is that all? I assume if I win, then it's everything for me.

Robin... Maybe you should think about this a little more.

[ What? Et tu, John? Robin turns toward his companion and furrows his brow. ]

What for?

You know what for. Your Highness! If I may suggest... how about a three-part duel?

[ John, what are you doing, stop that. Robin has it under control! (No, he doesn't. Showing off is a great weakness of his, and John is all too aware. Even if the prince is all talk, two-out-of-three simply gives Robin a larger margin for error should he overestimate himself.) ]

[If this man is anything like his reputation, he has reason for being cocky--but from what James has heard, he's a little too cocky to begin with. James takes a moment to consider this new proposal.]

That depends on what you had in mind for the other parts.

Archery. [ What, you didn't think Robin would let these two talk out the details without some of his own input, did you? Besides, what duel would be complete without an archery contest? ]

Like he said. Archery, and... a race.

A race?

Yes, a race. I hardly see any other option, considering the materials on hand.

[ ... point made. Robin shrugs in agreement. ]

What sort of race?

[Archery. From what James saw of the man's draw, Robin was going to beat him there. It would come down to the third contest. He should probably refuse ... and yet part of him doesn't want to. This is, well, exciting. He can understand why Philip enjoys travel if this is what he does.]

A race by steed.

Steed? If you haven't noticed, we don't—

[ Clop-clop-clop-clop, clop-clop-clop-clop... Robin shuts up, turning his head far enough to see the forms of two horses and their riders approaching from down the road. One is almost definitely one Robin recognizes, and so he allows himself to relax. ]

Did you hear them coming?

I guessed, actually.

[ ... well, it's better than John outdoing Robin at his very own forestry game. ]

[Well, Robin knows the forest and the best riding routes. On the other hand, the forest is too thick to making riding horses often very practical, so Robin may be rusty. James doesn't have Thomas's skill at riding, but he's no slouch either and he does it regularly.]

I accept your terms. I'm coming out now--and I'd like my dagger back, if you happen to know where it went.

[So saying, he sheathes his sword, with a deliberately audible ring so they know he's doing so, and cautiously steps out behind the tree--on John's side, more than Robin's, so he still has a bit of cover if the arrow still flies.]

Edited 2011-11-14 10:00 (UTC)

Afraid I lost track of it after it went through my arm.

[ His aim holds steady. Only when he sees that James is unarmed does he lower the bow and loosen his hold, although he's not dumb enough to put his weapon away just yet. ]

Great. As soon as my men arrive, we'll set up targets and get this started.

Oh, did it? Sorry about that; I was trying to get you to dodge.

[Or something else, as long as it kept Robin from shooting him. He hadn't really aimed to kill, though--hadn't taken enough time to make sure of his aim. The prince moves out from behind the tree, but his hand is still on the hilt of his sword and he eyes them both warily--if ruefully.]

You've got a fast draw, Robin.

Yeah, well, you did a pretty bad job of that. [ Robin spares a quick glance toward the torn fabric lazily soaking up the trickling blood. He'll have to get that looked at sometime soon, but for now the sting helps him focus, rather than the blood loss fuzzing him up.

He grins at the acknowledgment, turning back up to James. ] The fastest.

I was distracted. I had an arrow pointed at my face.

[A grin spreads a little more slowly over James's face, but is a flashing one despite its slow arrival.]

You'll need more than that to win.

Oh, I know. I intend to have plenty more. How about you? Archery a big thing over at the ol' castle?

It's enough of one.

[James isn't going to admit he's already lost that one, but oddly, he still doesn't mind.]

Do you actually use swordplay often, here, or just have people hand over their valuables under threat of arrows most of the time?

Swordplay is a skill of mine. [ Not quite as much of one as his archery, yet that's something Robin isn't going to admit. He's still good with them. ] Arrows usually tend to do the trick, though.

[ It's about now that the other two men approach. One of the horses is Robin's, while the other is James'. Understandably, they seem uncertain of what to do with the standoff. Little John eyes the bandit leader and prince, then makes his way over to explain what their current situation is in hushed tones. ]

You'll need as much of it as you can get to beat me.

[Skill, that is. James stands quietly, definitely not intending to make sudden movements now he's outnumbered four times over. Instead he eyes Robin speculatively until Little John has finished with his chat and he can be told where to go for the contests. John seems to have named himself judge, after all.]

Somebody's sure of himself. [ Which is rich, considering who it comes from. He just grins to signify that he gets at least some of the irony, then tilts his head as Little John returns, sheathed sword now held loose at his side. If James pays close attention, one of the riders is now without his own weaponry — they'll be making do with borrowed arms for now. ]

We'll start with the contest of blades until the targets are set up, then the men will scout out a safe path for your race. Sound good to everybody?

Absolutely. James?

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