It was only after he heard the desperation of Elizabeth’s words that the reality of their situation finally settled upon Wylyam. When it did, though, his expression changed to a demeanor only a few had ever witnessed – and none who did would soon forget. His eyes came to burn with the cold fury of long-buried resentments as a righteous anger bubbled up from the deepest well of his soul. He slowly let go of Elizabeth’s hand and placed it on the hilt of his sword.<br/><br/>Wil had grown up the abandoned bastard child of a foreign noble. Although his mother and grandfather made sure he was provided with the essentials – such as an education and a profession – still he resented being robbed of a life of a privilege by his station. In any case his mother taught him that he was not to blame for his lot in life, nor did he have any control over the events of the past. She instilled in him a desire to act with honor and pride in everything he did – which were both aspects of his character that he could control. If he lived in a becoming manner then those things could never be taken away from him, she explained. While growing up Wil channeled the anger he felt at his situation into actions that supported those ethics. Even after his father called for him to take Wil’s place as his son and heir, Wil never lost sight of the virtues inspired by his mother’s sage advice.<br/><br/>Now, lost in the woods on a most desperate errand, Wil stood to be robbed of both by a common criminal holding a mere stick made of yew. Giving the man his sword – his sacred weapon – would take from him his honor; and giving away the horses would steal his pride. In addition, Wil reckoned, losing either would greatly hurt the chances of Elizabeth returning home safely. In the light of this travesty of all of God’s laws and any sense of justice, Wylyam saw that he had no choice but to make a stand. His steely resolve was abundantly clear in the ferocious expression he leveled at the criminal before him.<br/><br/>Wil slowly drew his sword from his scabbard but instead of dropping it, he held it at length towards the bandit. “Ah wul nae surrender mah weapon, an' Ah realize ye cannae simply disappear since yoo’ve crossed th' Rubic’n. It seems we ‘ave a problem.”<br/><br/>The bowman’s confident expression showed signs of concern while his fingers adjusted their hold on his weapon. He did not know what the Rubicon was but he realized in that moment Wil was no pushover. Sweat formed on the man’s brow. “I’ll do it – I’ll kill yea,” he threatened.<br/><br/>“Nae,” Wil responded. “Ye will try. An' if ye dinnae, Ah will cleave ye in half afair ye can notch anither. Dae ye troost yer life oan yer shot? Dae ye?” Wil asked with supreme confidence. The squire projected the icy tone of a man without fear; a man without concern for his own safety; a man who wanted the highwayman more than dead.<br/><br/>The criminal looked even more concerned. “Look,” he said swallowing hard. “You said it – I can’t just walk away. You’ll run me down for sure. Keep your weapons and your gold – just leave me the horses. She’ll never survive here without you!” the man tried to convince Wil. “You don’t want to die today, son – any more than I do. That is a fair offer.”<br/><br/>Wil exhaled. The deepest part of his being wanted to show the thief that he had crossed the wrong bastard that day. Then the thought came over him that perhaps his pride was worth sacrificing for Elizabeth’s safety. He sighed as he wondered what his mother would have him do, blinking as he thought things over. After a quick glance at Elisabeth to read her expression Wil made his decision.<br/><br/>“Lower yer bow, we will tak' our provisions an' away. Ye may keep th' horses,” he said with angry resignation. “Elizabeth, please take your things,” he said to her in a softer tone.<br/><br/>After a silent goodbye to his long-time and much-beloved charger, Morningstar, Wil lead Elizabeth away through the far side of the canopy and into the forest beyond. The bandit made quick work of the horses and was away. Red-faced with embarrassment, Wil sincerely apologized to Elizabeth once the hoof beats had faded into the distance.<br/><br/>“Truly, Ah am sorry m’lady. Ah hae failed ye this day, as Ah hae failed mah Knight.”