“Ah donno. We’re nae goin’ as fast as i’d like – but at leest we’rr alone,” Wil observed. Sharing her sense of urgency, Wil took hold of a bridle in each hand and led the horses west. Unfortunately the forest was quite dense in that area and their progress continued to be slow. As they walked away the man with the drawn bow relaxed its string before standing up and looking around. He creeped along behind the two of them at a safe distance, moving stealthily through the shadows cast from the treetops high above.<br/><br/>As Wil and Elisabeth traveled the squire kept himself focused entirely on their environment. Had their circumstances been a little less serious he would have preferred to speak to her more. Unfortunately their situation made that too dangerous. In lieu of conversation, though, whenever Wil looked turned his head to look around he always made sure to flash a reassuring smile at Elisabeth. He tried to communicate with his eyes that everything was going to be OK, even if deep down he wasn’t entirely convinced.<br/><br/>Then came the hoof-beats. Off in the distance ahead of them the sound of a galloping horse could be heard.<br/><br/>“M’lady…” he whispered, offering her a hand down. “We must make ourselves small – please walk with me.”<br/><br/>As they walked he did not let go of her hand unless she seemed to wish it so. From that spot he led them to the trunk of a large weeping willow that had branches dangling down to the ground. While the horses were too large to conceal completely, at least the tree provided some measure of concealment. Wil tied them up to the trunk without any objection from the two animals which seemed content to graze on the grass nearby. Wylyam thought about creeping out and peering through the branches but quickly decided against it. Instead he continued to hold Elisabeth’s hand and listen intently. If she tried to speak he raised a finger to his lips, begging her to be quiet for the time being.<br/><br/>After about ten minutes of tense waiting Wil became convinced that the threat had passed.<br/><br/>“Ah think we can gie movin' again, m’lady,” he said, looking into her eyes with a relieved smile. He took her other hand in his to try and add some measure of assuredness to his words. Little did he know how precarious their situation had become.<br/><br/>Behind him, the mysterious bowman had taken up position in the thick brush and again was training his longbow on Wil. Realizing that their attention was suddenly focused on each other – and the horses were tied up – the man realized this was the time to move. Without warning an arrow flew from the brush and whistled through the air, striking the ground at Wil’s feet with a soft thud. As quick as lightning the man had notched another arrow as he stepped out of cover. Wil’s head spun to look in the direction of danger just in time to make out the hooded longbowman about to fire again.<br/><br/>“Not one move, lad… not a one,” the man of the forest warned. “Draw your sword and throw it to me now, like a good lad,” he added.<br/><br/>“Highwayman…” Wil whispered to Elisabeth. “Ma God, what’s next?”