ROBIN
A HISTORICAL ADVENTURE NOVEL
by
Book Cover & Preview Text
FREE PREVIEW-MARION Together they lifted the dead animal and placed it across the horse's saddle. Matilda began to laugh. "What's so funny?" asked Robert. "You killed one of the king's deer. The castle might belong to Lancaster but the forest belongs to the king." "And your uncle's a king's forester. I don't think we'll have any argument." She laughed again, as they climbed on the horse and began to gallop, the dog running alongside. "And to think Walter Hogg was hung for stealing a salmon," recalled Robert, almost to himself. "Who's Walter Hogg?" "The father of my friend." Blood curdling cries came out of the forest as six men charged out from the trees, daggers drawn. "Your purses, your horse and that fat buck," growled one of the outlaws. He pulled Robert from the horse, a knife to Robert's throat. Another held Matilda, while a third grabbed the reins of Black Beast. In feigned fear, Robert asked his attacker, "Dear Sir, would you be so cruel as to rob innocent travelers on this Christmas Day?" Deftly, he wrenched the dagger from the man's hand and knocked him to the ground. A fourth outlaw charged at Robert, dagger drawn. "Ah, another man with no holiday spirit." With ease he disarmed the man and threw him down. Tom, suddenly aware of the attack, came charging out of the bushes and leapt at the throat of one of the men. Another outlaw, armed with a large stick, hit a fierce blow to the dog's head, stunning it. Matilda, still being held by one of the thieves, took him by surprise with a swift backward kick to his groin. As the man bent over in pain, she elbowed his back, kicking his head when he fell to the ground. She raised her right hand majestically towards the horse. "Beast -- arise!" she cried. With a loud neigh, the horse reared its front legs causing the man holding the reins to drop them and run. Black Beast continued to neigh and rear, his hoofs dangerously close to the men's heads. Terrified, his eyes transfixed on Matilda and the horse, one of the outlaws stammered, "It's the Maiden -- the cloak -- the black horse. RUN!" The men hastily scrambled to their feet and ran. Robert stared after them in astonishment. Then he turned to Matilda. "Are you all right?" Matilda took the horse's reins and patted Black Beast's head fondly. Then she went to the injured dog, kneeling beside him and placing her hand on Tom's forehead. The animal opened his eyes. "Tom, you're a brave dog," she whispered. With a whimper, the animal groggily rose to his feet. "Matilda, are you all right?" repeated Robert. "Of course," she smiled, climbing up on her horse behind the buck. "You're a powerful man, Robert. I can see nothing scares you." "Are you the Maiden of the Coven?" asked Robert, in awe. "Yes. And my parents are the High Priest and Priestess." Robert gasped. "I was initiated into the Craft when I was fourteen. They gave me a new name -- Robin." "Robin. That's a fine name. From now on I'll call you Robin. In the coven they call me Marion -- sometimes Maid Marion or Clorinda. Robin Hode! Robin Hood would sound even better, and very suitable to the Craft. Get up on Black Beast, Robin Hood, we've got three more miles to go." ___________
Formats
Book Details
About the Book
Robert Hode, son of a forester in Earl Warren’s park, lives a comfortable life in Wakefield in the north of England where his mother is active in the Craft, a religion focusing on healing, friendships and exotic ceremonies. But, at the age of seven, Robert’s pleasant life changes when he is humiliated after a beating by his cruel schoolmaster. Afraid to return to school, he plays truant, exploring the town and forests and learning about the miserable and sometimes fascinating lives of his neighbors. As a teenager working with his father in the forest, Robert becomes known for his philandering ways but his behavior changes when, on a visit to wealthy relatives, he meets Matilda. Determined to marry this powerful, beautiful woman, Robert builds a fine house in the center of Wakefield. Matilda accepts his proposal but their happy lives are disrupted when the Earl of Lancaster seizes all of Warren’s lands and Robert is summoned to fight for the Earl of Lancaster against the army of King Edward II. Robert flees the disastrous battle and searches Barnsdale forest for a mysterious hermit he once met as a child. Matilda and others from nearby conquered towns join him in the forest. A skilled archer, Robert becomes the leader of a notorious band of outlaws, calling himself Robin Hood and his bride, Maid Marion. With Marion’s extensive knowledge of the Craft, they conduct erotic celebrations where Robin serves as High Priest and Marion as High Priestess. Intrigued by the legends of the infamous outlaw who robs the rich and helps the poor, the weak and effeminate King Edward pays a surprise visit to the forest and invites Robin and Marion to serve him in the Tower of London. But life in London is not what they expected.
About the Author
Brenda Marshall, a former newspaper reporter from Birmingham, England, has been freelancing in Los Angeles since 1965. “Robin,” which she began writing in 1979, is her first novel.