Dawn in Sherwood Forests

The sun was setting, slowly dipping below the narrow rim of trees that lined the forest track. Long shadows were cast upon the leafy floor, seeping like liquid, and a golden glow was spreading across the sky. 

A carriage moved quickly along the track. Inside, in the relative warmth, two men sat facing each other. Both wore black, with hoods and their faces in shadow. You couldn't see their expressions, but after a second or to looking at each other, one leaned out of the window to talk to the driver. He moved stiffly, and when he spoke, you could hear the coldness in his voice.

"Hurry up!"

The driver said nothing, just nodded - a tiny movement, barely noticeable except from the sharpest eyes. He whipped the horses, forcing the two geldings into a canter. 

The man's head withdrew back into the carriage, and he faced his companion once more. 

"We must be out of here by nightfall, for that is when the outlaws come."

Thud. Thud. Thud.

Three hits, in quick succession landed upon the wooden door of the carriage. 

"And why do you think that we only come out at night?" Called a voice from outside.

On the dark wood of the closed door, three arrows were implanted, the duck feathers on the end appeared to be on fire in the dying light.

"Now, out you come, hands in the air, and don't say a word while my men search your carriage for any valuables." commandered the voice.

The carriage juddered to a halt, and the two passengers could hear a commotion from up ahead. They looked at each other, before slowly opening the door. 

A dark figure stood, outlined by the yellow glow seeping through the leaves of the trees, holding a cocked bow, and pointing it directly at them. Three other figures surrounded the carriage, each one armed, two with swords, one with a stick.

"So you were expecting us?" Asked Robin Hood.

"We were warned of you." Said one of the men, in a shallow voice. the man nearest him, one of the sword carriers, looked at him with an expression he found hard to place. It would have been frightening, if not for the absurd hat on his head. 

"Really? So friends of the Sheriff are you?"

No reply. They had been warned against coming through the forest, but not by the Sheriff, by a two travellers they had met on the way, but they had ignored them, thinking them to have just come from an inn.
 
"Well, my men would like to search you cargo, and would prefer you not to get in the way."

The men were bundled to the side, and watched by a large man holding a stick.

"Please, this is stupid - " 

He didn't get a chance to finish his sentance before the stick hit him on the top of the head. He keeled over, and lay motionless in a pile of leaves. 

"Suprise." Said Robin Hood.