He pressed his spurs into the horse. They were galloping at breakneck pace now, his cape swirling around. He could hear the ‘tabdak- tabdak’ hoof beats of all those behind. The sound was getting fainter now as he and horse entwined as one were running like the wind. If he could only reach the woods…
The chase was hot, and the pursuers were not giving in. The robber up ahead had them eating humble pie for months now. Luckily for them one of his accomplices had tipped them off. But they had to admit, he was so deft and so skilled. Some were wishing they had his stallion. Man, and horse seemed to be one… intelligent and strong!
The masked man looked up ahead in the darkness, they were near the entry point, where was the way through the woods? Ah,here it was! A last attempt at pressing his stallion, his beloved to increase his pace, and they would be safe. In the scant light of the night they finally made it and he pressed on, looking for that abandoned trail which none had used for years. Their hoofbeats now muffled on the thick carpet of fallen leaves. He could hear the galloping of his chasers faintly in the distance.
There it was barely visible, the lost road, but that which would save him today. Slackening his pace and murmuring endearments, to his trusted horse, he moved on. Not out of danger yet. The tall trees, decades old, maybe centuries old, stood sentinel, as if to protect him. They seemed to whisper to each other, “Protect him because he protects those who can’t protect themselves.” The breeze seemed gentle to the Masked man, as the wind was broken by these tall vanguards. Moving on forward as silently as the night, he reflected on what had just happened.
The poor, oppressed farmers from the village had sent him word that they didn’t have enough to eat yet, the cruel landlord wanted them to pay him tax. Some had been brutally lashed when they voiced their inability and those who dared to say they would seek justice from the King himself, were beaten up. He had planned to attack the Landlord and distribute his wealth among those he harassed. But how had the soldiers come to know he was there? Only a handful of his handpicked men accompanied him that evening. Luckily, they could empty the coffers and leave before he, himself was spotted and chased. They would be safe since they had left just in time. He created a diversion and took away the platoon taunting them. “Ha! Ha! Ha!” “Catch me if you can!”
Now he dismounted, made his steed comfortable and they both settled down to catch some much-needed rest.
The soldiers could hear their Captain shout in rage, “No you rogue, you robber, you can not escape again!” It was with great difficulty they had come so close to catching the robber, who had been plundering the treasury of the lords far and near and distributing the wealth among the poor. He seemed to be worshipped by all except the lords and the wealthy merchants. Some of the soldiers knew they had not put in their all in this chase, for his benevolence had fallen on their kith and kin too.
It was well known that once he entered the woods, he was safe! Safe from the Lords, the soldiers, the wrath, and any harm. The woods were a haven. The very trees seemed to move to protect him, to whisper in code to warn him and to lash out at those who dared to follow him.
