Marian had convinced Robin to tell the gang of Carter's letter and, though he did not look forward to it, to solicit their input. As expected, Much took it worst of all.
"But, Master, what will you do once you get there?" he asked over and over, fully resolved that whatever Robin was going to be doing that he would be doing it too.
The others, especially John, had little to say on the matter. They had long noticed the change in their leader. He had been leaving more and more of the daily good deeds up to them, preoccupying himself with thoughts of a bigger picture they didn't see. Little John had taken on a lion's share of the interceptions and deliveries, to the point where he seemed worn down. They shied away from asking him to display extraordinary strength unless it was necessary, for fear that that strength might not be there. It was winter, though, and they were all tired. But so were the people they were helping, so they had to keep smiling. Robin's announcement of his probable departure was discouragement they didn't need.
Later that evening, Djaq and Will went to get water from the half-frozen stream. They could have easily collected and melted snow, but they preferred to put some distance between themselves and camp.
"What do you think of all this?" Djaq asked first.
"Robin has always had a higher authority. It seems natural that he should be called to something apart from us. It's going to make this winter more difficult, though."
"So you think he will go? You think he should?" she responded a little surprised.
"I don't know if he should," he paused, "but I know he will."
They walked awhile in silence.
Then Will ventured, "Of course if the King really is coming back to England, this might mean it will be over for us as outlaws soon."
Djaq smiled. "How many times have we heard that?"
"Yeah." Will bit his lip.
After a moment, he started again, "But I suppose it doesn't hurt to think about what comes next."
He glanced over at her. He was trying to carefully open that conversation they had never let themselves have.
"Will you stay in England?" he blurted.
She looked away, pretending to be distracted by something farther off.
"It depends," she replied casually. "Depends on what your king has done to my home." She waited and added, "Depends on how much my heart wants to stay."
Will stopped suddenly and whispered, "How much does it want to stay?"
She reached for his hand.
"Very much."
"So what's new Guy? Business as usual, it seems. Anything new on the Robin Hood front?" Allan asked as they sat by the fire in Locksley.
"In a week you won't have to ask that," Guy replied without looking up.
"Oh, why?" Allan said, concealing genuine interest.
"The Sheriff has a scheme—we're sending Hood into a trap."
"And he's going to fall for it this time?"
Guy glared at him. Allan shrugged.
"Like I said, in a week, you won't have to ask that.