Go, Blackstock snarled at them. Weve things to discuss.

Marians shoulders slouched forward and her head hung dejectedly as she followed Mirabelle from the banquet hall. This had been her only chance to find out what they were planning. Once Gisborne told his liege of her misdeeds, she would never get another one. Shed be lucky to escape the gallows.

Marian, go clean the guest chambers while we tend to the dishes, Mirabelle said. Im a.s.suming you feel up to it.

Yes, Miss, Marian nodded.

She gathered her bucket and brush and headed toward the guest corridor. Just before she turned down the hallway, she froze. Her mind raced, and she bit her lip nervously. This was her last chance to discover their plans. If she were arrested, shed never be able to give Robin the information he needed to stop them.

With an iron grip on the bucket handle, she veered off course and headed toward the banquet hall. Two guards stood stonily on either side of the great wooden doors. Shed never get past them. Her only hope was to listen from outside the window.

She slipped down a narrow service corridor and out into the tiny courtyard in the center of the castle grounds. She set her bucket down by the door and slid along the wall until she was standing outside the ma.s.sive window. A guard patrolled the wall across the courtyard, but his gaze was fixed firmly toward the exterior of the castle.

With her heart thrumming rapidly, she pressed her hear against the gla.s.s and struggled to hear the m.u.f.fled voices inside the hall.

But Lord Blackstock, you must understand that our communities are just as strained as yours! shouted one Lord.

We have families who can barely feed their children! another shouted, and the din of the other Lords agreeing rose through the hall and rattled the window.

You dont think we have such problems right here, as well? Gisbornes voice rose above the cacophony, thick with anger. Why just tonight that young woman fainted from hunger! Did you not see it with your own eyes?

The noise slowly began to wane to a dull murmur.

The point my dear Gisborne is trying to make, Blackstock interjected, is that you are not alone your troubles. Our citizens are every bit as strained as yours. But some problems are bigger than individual comforts. It is vital that each and every one of you contributes your share to this. Only then may we come together for the greater good.

Another murmur broke out through the room.

Blackstock, I just dont think out citizens can give any more in taxes. Another ten percent on top of what theyre already paying would crush some of them! one Lord said.

Have you not been listening? Blackstock shouted. This tax is for the benefit of all citizens! With it we shall build roads, clinics, orphanages... we can do so much more with the taxes from all out communities combined than any one of us can do in our own!

Voices began to chatter, and soon they rose in agreement. It seemed as though the crowd was overwhelmingly supportive of Blackstocks plan.

We shall vote at noon tomorrow, Blackstock shouted over the din. I hope I shall have your support. Until then, please enjoy our fine ladies and all the hospitalities our castle has to offer!

Chairs began to squeak across the floor as the Lords departed. Upon hearing the ma.s.sive doors slam, Marian began to slide away from the window, but she froze as Gisbornes voice alerted her that there might be yet more to hear.

I do believe they are on your side, my Lord, he said.

Most of them, perhaps, Blackstock agreed. But there are a few who may still need some... convincing. See to it?

Yes, my Lord, Gisborne said.

Oh, and Gisborne...

My Lord?

If you cannot convince them... see to it that they arent at the voting tomorrow, Blackstock said, raising his eyebrow knowingly.

I will take care of it, my Lord.

Another chair squeaked loudly on the floor, and Marian quickly gathered her bucket and rushed inside, taking the long way around to the guest chambers. Shed lost her opportunity to clean the rooms unhindered, as some of the Lords would undoubtedly be retiring to their chambers with the dancing ladies, but she still needed to finish as much as possible as quickly as possible so she could make it to her training with Robin at dusk.

By the time shed finished, the sky was blazing. Purple clouds streaked their fingers across the fiery sky in long threads. She ran as fast as her legs would carry her so she could give her father dinner and get to the forest edge in time.

The thundering of hooves began to follow her soon after she left the castle grounds. Her heart began to race as terror gripped her. Shed never make it home. Gisborne had told Blackstock, and now he was coming to arrest her. What would happen to her father? How could she get word to Robin about Blackstocks plans?

She froze, waiting for the inevitable. She closed her eyes and listened to the hoof beats behind her. They slowed down, and then they stopped.

Marian?

She swallowed hard and turned toward him, her stomach twisted in knots.

Well, get on with it, she said defiantly.

One eyebrow arched curiously, and he c.o.c.ked his head slightly askew.

Ive come to take you home, he said. I didnt think it would be safe for you to walk home after your spell earlier.

I... Im fine, she stammered.

All the same, you are one of Lord Blackstocks most faithful servants, and it would not be fitting to have you walk home after such an ordeal.

Now she understood. They had to look good in front of the other Lords. This was not being done out of genuine concern, but as a misguided attempt to sway the Lords to their side.

I can make it home just fine, thank you, my Lord, she said curtly, with a brief bow.

Marian whirled around on her heel and began to march off toward her home. Gisborne clucked his tongue and slapped the reins, and the horse began to trot beside her.

Marian, please, he said. Its not proper for you to walk home alone. What if you should faint again? Youd be out here unprotected.

Why should you care? Marian asked. My Lord, it is none of your concern what happens to a lowly servant.

Be that as it may, you have done the castle a great service, and it would not be proper...

Proper, she muttered, and he stopped speaking. Is it proper to...

It was then that she realized what she was about to say, and she closed her mouth. She cleared her throat and kept walking.

Continue, Gisborne said.

Im sorry, my Lord, what I have to say is nothing you should be concerned with, she lied.

You are free to speak without fear of retribution, he told her. Please, say what is on your mind.

She stopped, her eyes wandering over the glittering surface of Lake Heron in the distance. She took a deep breath and turned to him, her dark hair fluttering gently in the breeze.

As you wish, my Lord, she said. Is it proper to have a feast such as the one you had to day when the citizens are starving? Is it proper to lay a child of three years old to rest in a cheap pine box as my neighbors did last week simply because they could not afford to feed him, while our Lords are dining on venison and fine pastries?

Gisbornes jaw was slack. Shed done it now. Surely her insolence would be punished, despite his promise shed have no retribution to fear.

I believe you should be getting home, he said after a long pause.

Yes, my Lord, she nodded, grateful she wasnt being arrested.

Marian turned away and began to walk. For several moments, all was silent. Then she heard the gentle clop-clop of the horse trotting behind her. The horses pace matched her own as she walked. It was getting darker, so she picked up her pace, walking as quickly as she could without breaking into a run. Still, the horses hooves kept with her pace.

The horses hooves slowed down and finally stopped as she burst through the front gate. Marian turned around and bowed politely.

Thank you for your escort, my Lord, she said, her lips thin and her jaw flexed.

He nodded his head curtly and pulled the horses rein to the left, turning it. With a cluck of his tongue, the horse broke into a gallop, and she glared as his back with narrowed eyes as he rode back toward the castle.

Shaking her head, she quickly entered the cottage, fed her father a brief meal, and strode out into the darkness with a lantern to meet Robin. He was already waiting at the edge of the forest, leaning against a tree with his arms crossed in front of him.

I see your friend escorted you home, Robin said with a scowl.

That mongrel is no friend of mine, Marian spat.

Are you certain? I saw the way...

Robin, stop it! she snapped. Listen, I have to tell you what I heard today!

Oh? You were allowed in, after all? Robin perked up and started to wind his way through the trees as Marian followed at his heels.

Not exactly. I was there for the banquet, but afterwards Blackstock made us all leave.

Then how did you...

Im getting to that! Marian said. Mirabelle told me to clean the guest chambers, but I snuck out to the center courtyard and listened at the window.

Marian, that was dangerous. What if someone had...

Robin, just listen! she hissed. I missed the first part of things, but when I got there, I overheard them talking about a new tax. Blackstock wants the other Lords to add an additional ten percent tax to their kingdoms and then bring the resources together. He says theyre going to build roads, clinics... but I dont think thats what he wants at all. He doesnt care about all that.

Why do you say that?

Because after the other Lords left the hall, Blackstock told Gisborne he was afraid some of the Lords wouldnt go for their plan, and he told Gisborne to take care of it.

So you think theyre planning to kill them? Robin asked.

I dont think thats their first plan. I think Gisbornes going to threaten them, first. Because Blackstock told him if he couldnt make them come around to see that they arent at the voting tomorrow at noon.

Weve got to warn them, Robin said quickly.

How? I cant get back into the castle at this hour. Ill have no reason for being there.

Youll have to do it in the morning.

Robin, I have a feeling tomorrow morning will be too late. Gisborne is bound to handle things tonight while the other Lords are sleeping.

Yes, youre right, of course. Then what can we do?

The deliveries, Marian said.

Hmm?

Every night around midnight theres a delivery. They bring in mead, wine, food... whatever Blackstock orders. Theres a covered wagon. Someone could slip in the back and ride in.

Thats a good idea! Robin said. Ill go myself.

Robin, no! If they catch you...

They wont, he said comfortably.

But what if they do? They know your face. Youll be arrested on the spot and probably hanged on the morrow!

Im not afraid, Marian.

Of course youre not, and thats why youre stupid. What about John? He wasnt with you when you were arrested before.

Hes too big to slip under the cover, Robin pointed out.

Ill do it, Marian said.

No! Marian, dont be ridiculous!

Listen, Im the best option. If Im caught, I can simply say I needed to speak to Mirabelle about something.

And you think theyll accept that?

What choice is there? Theyve seen all your faces, and Johns too big. Ill be fine, Robin. Trust me.

Robin paused, his eyes on the patch of ground that glowed beneath him in the flickering lantern light. He shook his head sorrowfully.

Alright. But Im taking you on horseback to the meeting point. Youre not walking this late.

Agreed. Wait... you have a horse?

Of course I have a horse! We have several!

Where? I saw no horses at your camp.

Of course not, Robin said with a sly wink. You dont think wed keep them out in plain sight, do you?

Hmm, I suppose not.

Lets hurry, Robin urged her. The sooner we get there, the better.