Deleted Scene #6

 

Will the Scarlet

 

 

Also from Chapter LXII, this short cut has Micel meditating on the contemptible Will the Scarlet’s history and character.

 

 

HE WAS CALLED Will the Scarlet – but none said it to his face, or none but Robin. It did not do to upset William Gamewell. Those who did were liable to wake up with their throats cut. Even in this select company – which had attracted many of the vilest villains in the land – he was regarded with caution, and near universal hatred. Some was the result of pure envy – Robin favoured this lank-haired wretch above all others – but there was no shortage of reasons for hating William Gamewell.

Many here strove to give the impression that they would stop at nothing, but Gamewell did not have to make pretence. He was born such a man. Micel had seen him cut off a man’s ear without a hint of provocation, just to see what reaction it got – and not an enemy’s, either, but one who thought him a friend. Afterwards, Gamewell had laughed it off, treating the whole thing as a joke, and his victim – perhaps fearful of what more might have happened, and might yet happen – was somehow persuaded to join him in his merrymaking. There was nothing Gamewell would not do, and it was this, Micel believed, that had made him a favourite of Hood’s within days of his arrival. Gamewell had responded by affording Hood – and Hood alone – unswerving loyalty and total respect.

There was one other mystery. Gamewell was not, by any standards, handsome – a mangy fox or rat from a ditch was more prepossessing. Neither was he charming – he had not a single kind thought in his head, and didn’t care who knew it. And yet, more women fell at Gamewell’s feet than ever seemed to be won over by a gentleman. That, Micel could never understand. Only Marian had remained free of his attentions. She belonged to Robin. But Micel had seen Gamewell cast a lustful eye over her when he thought none were looking.