Chapter 8

The King's Deceit

Sir James of Kent felt uneasy when he entered the King's tent. He didn't understand why the King needed him so urgently when he was busy with the training of the newly recruited guards in the Private Guard. James feared that his liege had somehow learned about his betrayal.

James paused at the entrance to the tent, looking at King Richard who sat in a well carved high-back chair at the table with maps. The King heard his visitor's footsteps, but he didn't acknowledge James' presence for a long time. Instead, the King busied himself with studying the maps, and James knew that he was supposed to wait for his liege to start the conversation. Such a long, tense silence could mean only the King's displeasure or could imply the seriousness of the situation.

James cleared his throat. "My liege, I came here at your request," he began, bowing to the King.

"Sir James of Kent," King Richard began officially. He didn't raise his eyes from his maps and parchments.

James kept his head bowed. "I'm at your disposal."

The King made a note with an eagle-feathered quill. "Always at our disposal?" he asked sarcastically.

"Yes, milord." James didn't like sarcastic notes he heard in the King's voice.

Richard lifted his eyes and stared at James. "James, you have been serving as the second-in-command to the Captain of the Private Guard for four years," he said coldly. His expression was impenetrable, his gaze blank. "We have always trusted you. We have been friends for many years."

James felt his blood run cold in his veins; he didn't understand why the King spoke to him in this manner. "I treasure our friendship, sire." He bowed his head in respect, uneasy and solemn.

"Take a seat." Richard pointed at one of the high-back chairs in the tent.

James took a deep, shuddering breath, forcing himself to stay calm. "Thank you, milord." He seated himself in the chair, feeling his knees shake under him.

King Richard rose to his feet and came to the table where a jeweled decanter of elite red wine stood. He filled two silver goblets with wine and walked to James, then handed him the goblet.

Richard seated himself comfortably into the chair into the opposite part of the tent. "Drink some wine, James." He sipped wine from his goblet, watching the other man from the corner of his eye.

"Good wine." James took a small sip of wine.

Richard laughed. "We bet our brother John can offer you a better wine, though we believe that John can drink even water from the Thames and be fine with that."

James almost choked on his wine. With shaking hands, he slammed a half-empty goblet on the table; then he gazed at his liege, a feeling of bad foreboding nesting in his heart. "Milord, you have always had excellent taste in wines. I have never tried anything better than wines from your private collection." He managed a smile. "Yeah, only you have such a great taste in wines."

The King burst into a loud laughter. "Flattery doesn't always make friends, James."

James stared at the King, embarrassed and frightened at the same time. "My liege, I'm sorry if I somehow displeased you. Please believe me that it has never been my intention."

"James, we know the truth," the King said in a chilly tone, his gaze fixed on James' face. "We know that you betrayed us and conspired with our brother John to kill us. We know about the Black Knights." He smiled. "You of all the men in the Private Guard should be able to predict that our spies have already learned much about the plot."

James gasped for breath, his face horrified. "Sire, I… I…"

Richard laughed contemptuously. "James, don't deny the fact of your treason." He took a goblet of wine and sipped a little. "Or did you consider your King foolish enough not to understand that there is a traitor in the Private Guard – a man who made the Saracen attack undetected?"

"No, no, no," James muttered to himself; mortal dread filled his entire being.

Richard gave James a long, searching look, trying to guess what was going on in the head of another man. He didn't see a trace of repentance or remorse. He sighed heavily, thinking what to do with the man whom he loved and who disappointed him. And then the lion made up his mind.

"We are even not interested in the motives of your betrayal," Richard continued coldly, a small smile playing in the corners of his lips. "We have the realm full of traitors who would run to our brother and betray our trust if only they are offered an earldom, lands, or an appointment to a profitable position."

"Sire, I will explain to you what happened. It was–" James broke off, looking like a frightened child. He dragged a deep breath, mustering his courage to continue. "It was a matter of–"

Richard interrupted him. "We are not interested in your explanations. We know why you did that, but it is not a matter for discussion. We have some other… interesting deals for today."

"Milord, I will cooperate." James jumped to his feet and took a step forward, closer to the King. Then he sank to his knees, his head bowed. "I will do everything for you."

Richard raised his chin, a slight smile playing on his lips. "Stand up, James. Your theatrics make us more disappointed in you." He took a goblet of wine and emptied it in one gulp.

James obediently rose to his feet. "I will do everything… to serve you well and earn your trust again."

"If trust is lost, it is lost forever," the King said flatly, a note of regret creeping into his voice. "We could have been assassinated because of you. If Robin hadn't interfered on time, we would have been already dead." He sighed again. "Your treason could have killed your King and England."

James hung his head. "I'm… sorry. I'm so sorry." He didn't know what else to say.

"No, you are not sorry, James. You don't care for us." The lion shook his head in disbelief at the audacity of his treacherous subject. "Have at least some shame not to lie into our face."

James looked into the King's face. "I have nothing to say to defend myself."

Anger with the traitor coiling in his stomach, Richard started laughing halfheartedly. "At least, you have some conscience left not to deny your guilt when you stand before your King." He let out a scornful chuckle. "And you surely would do everything to save yourself?"

James shut his eyes, then swallowed hard. "I will do everything to redeem myself."

"Very good," the King retorted. His face lit up with a mysterious smile. "We offer you a full pardon, but only if you do something for us; something specific and confidential."

James shook his head in confusion. "What do I have to do, sire?"

A gloomy silence hung over them. The King watched James with an enigmatic smile on his face, his gaze penetrating and dark. He didn't speak for a long moment, wishing to unnerve James, enjoying the discomfort the traitor was experiencing. James deserved to die for his treason and he would get his comeuppance soon, but so far Richard needed him.

Richard turned his head away and stared into the flickering flames of several torches. "You must tell us everything about the Black Knights. We need to know the names of all the people who conspired to kill their King. We need to know what our brother is planning." He lowered his head and stared at his right hand, his eyes fixing at the signet ring – a symbol of his kingly power. "And then you will have to do something not for your King and not for England, but for your Captain."

"I will do exactly what you wish, sire."

The King swung his gaze at James. "We know."

"What can I do for Robin?" James' voice was shaking.

"Yes, for Robin." A tender smile appeared on the King's face at the thought of his young Captain. "It is something very important, and nobody should know what you will do."

"As you wish, sire," James answered automatically.

"Robin means a lot to me." The King's voice was soft, almost caressing as he spoke about his young friend; he dropped royal etiquette in this minute of privacy. "I do love Robin as much as I would have loved my close relative. He is not only my subject and the Captain of the Private Guard, but also my close friend. And I will do everything to protect Robin from any potential harm."

James nodded wordlessly. Everyone knew how much King Richard loved Robin of Locksley, and James wasn't astounded that his liege wanted to protect his Captain. "I love Robin. I have always admired him," he stated sincerely. "I didn't want Robin to be so badly injured in the attack."

King Richard let out a small smile that quickly vanished, and hard lines formed near his mouth. "You didn't want Robin to die, but you wanted your King dead." He trailed off, contemplating the traitor in a silence for a while. "You can say whatever you want, James, but your treachery almost killed your King and Robin, and I cannot easily forgive you for your transgressions."

James leaped to his feet, then knelt to the King. "Sire, please give me a chance to prove my loyalty to you. I will do what you want me to do for England, for you, and for Robin."

"Stand up," the lion threw over his shoulder, "and take a seat. I'm fed up with this spectacle."

"I beg my pardon, milord." James got to his feet, then headed to the chair and seated there.

The King regarded James with a cold and haughty expression, his eyes sparkling with a dangerous light, the corners of his lips quirking in a venomously sweet smile. "Begin your story, James. Don't withhold any detail from me. Then I will tell you what to do to get your pardon." He despised James, and his heart flamed with silent rage that James of all men had betrayed him.

James of Kent spoke for more than an hour, giving his liege a long tale of the Black Knights and his own betrayal. He gave the King the list of the names of all the Black Knights – the Earl of Spenser, the Earl of Buckingham, the Earl of Durham, and the Baron of Rotherham, as well as the names of many other Norman and English nobles who wanted Prince John to be King of England after Richard's death. He feared that the King would unleash his wrath on him, thinking that the only way to save his life was to say the entire truth to show the King that he could be useful to him.

James informed the King that Sheriff Peter Vaisey of Nottingham was the Head of the Black Knights club, while Guy of Gisborne served Vaisey as his henchman and was the overlord of Robin's lands since Vaisey's arrival in Nottingham around four years ago. He finished his tale with the declaration that it was Vaisey's idea to send Gisborne to Acre to assassinate Richard.

King Richard observed the traitor wordlessly, his expression unreadable, his eyes blank. Yet, the calmness was just the façade because the King was very unnerved by the news. Richard knew that James was trying to save himself by telling him everything and confessing all his crimes, and he felt a little sorry for the other man, but he still wanted James dead.

The King looked at the traitor with irritation when the James admitted that Guy had indeed tried to take Robin's life on the night of the Saracen raid; then the King's eyes swiftly turned blank again. James even didn't know how much his confession pushed Richard to undertake exactly the course of action he had already set in his mind.

ææææææ

James had finished the tale and relapsed into silence, looking at the King in anticipation. He was so nervous and so tired that he was unable to look at the King anymore. He lowered his eyelids, wishing not to open them so that he wouldn't be influenced by Richard's piercing gaze, and numbness gradually took possession of him. In a short moment, nevertheless, he opened his eyes again. James knew that something was not right.

The King didn't speak, staring at James with a strange smile, and this smile frightened James.

"This is everything I know," James forced the words to come out.

"Very well, then," Richard spoke after a long pause. His voice sounded far-away; his expression was distant. "It is worse than I expected but better than it could have been." He laughed. "I expected my brother to turn against me sooner or later; he is quite predictable in his actions."

"What else do I have to do?"

Richard sent James a long, ambiguous look, his cool silence more effective than any word. And then he resumed talking, his lips lengthening in a crafty smile. "And now you will learn about the final part of our bargain, James." Then he said aloud what he wanted James to do, smiling slyly.

James' heart began to tie itself into knots. "Sire, it is… a very specific mission."

Richard flicked dust from the sleeve of his white tunic, his movement lazy and nonchalant. "Either you do that, or you will leave this tent in shackles. I can order your execution right now."

James shuddered in horror, unable to believe what the King had just ordered him to do. Yet, he knew that he shouldn't be astonished because the King could do many things for his grand favorites – Robin of Locksley and Robert de Beaumont. But he was still amazed how deeply Richard cared for Robin. He had never thought that the King could be so conniving; he had spent many years near the King, but he had never known the true depths of the King's cunningness.

"I… will do… as you order." James was tempted to fling a chair at the King, but he knew that his only chance to survive was to obey his liege.

"Good." Richard averted his gaze, staring into the flames. "Then in five days."

"In five days," James echoed.

"Take care of everything, James. Ask Sir Adam of Doncaster to be ready; he is one of the best archers among the guards, and he is exactly whom we need for this task."

"I will order Sir Adam to guard Gisborne's cell on that evening."

"Nobody must know," Richard hissed. "You have no right for a mistake, James. No mistakes."

James was shivering from head to foot. "I understand everything, my lord."

"We don't need you anymore. Get out of my sight." The King waved a hand of dismissal.

James leaped to his feet. "With your permission, milord," he said, bowing as he backed away to the exit from the tent. Then he stormed out of the tent, as if he were running away from a predator.

As soon as James was gone, Richard broke into a ringing laugh. As his laugh faded away, he took an empty goblet and poured out more wine for himself. "Legrand, come here."

Next moment, Legrand slowly emerged from behind the curtain in the back of the royal tent, looking a little disoriented but more stunned. "Sire," he said, bowing low to his liege.

Richard dismissed Legrand from his bow, welcoming his favorite with an amicable smile. Legrand's expression was nearly comic after everything he had just overheard.

The King emptied his goblet and placed it on the table. Then he climbed to his feet and strode towards the blonde-haired Norman knight. He stopped near the other man, looking into Legrand's eyes. "Now you know everything, Legrand, but it is a grave secret."

Legrand gave a nod. "I understand that very well, milord."

Richard beckoned the younger man to himself, and Legrand followed him in silence to the table with a heap of parchments and maps. Legrand preserved his silence until the lion chose to speak.

The King extracted an object wrapped in black velvet cloth, then unfolded it. He took a small bottle in his arms and took some time to examine it carefully; only then he turned his gaze at Legrand. "Take this and smear the liquid on the heads of all Adam's arrows when Adam doesn't see that. And when the day comes, Adam should be the archer who fires two deadly arrows."

The lion's chilly, resolute voice frightened Legrand a little bit, or maybe now he knew that there was work to be done, and his task was not a pleasant one. "Is that what I think, my lord?"

Richard nodded and let out a sigh of frustration. His mind drifted back to the recent Saracen attack that turned out to be the regicide attempt organized by his own brother. Now he knew that Guy had come to Acre to kill him, and he also was well aware of Guy's old conflict with Robin. The masked Saracen had attacked Robin from the back before Robin saved the King's life in the royal tent; it was obvious that Guy had tried to kill the King of England and Captain Locksley on the same night, and James had also confirmed that. Everything fitted suddenly into its place.

"Of course," the lion confirmed. "It is a lethal thing."

Legrand took the bottle in his arms. "As much as this task is a difficult one," he answered, putting the bottle between his palms, "I think that we have to do it as quickly as possible."

"I'm doing this for Robin. One day Robin's compassion and honor may lead to his untimely death. I want to save him from making a huge mistake," Richard enlightened with a bitter smile. "It comes as a bit of a shock, does it not, that I want to protect Robin so much?"

Legrand smiled. "No. I'm not amazed." His smile widened. "I love Robin with all my heart; I will gladly get rid of all those who can hurt him, especially of all those who wish him dead."

King Richard looked thoughtful, and Legrand remained quiet. They stood in a silent nervous tension for a minute or more, observing their sensations, sharing glances of understanding.

"I heard all about Guy of Gisborne and his life in Nottingham from James," the King said after a long silence. "Gisborne is a frightful character from all accounts. He attempted regicide, and he tried to kill Robin. I cannot risk and let him go, even if I can benefit from cooperation with him."

"Does Robin want to let the masked Saracen live?"

"Yes, he does. Robin asked me to pardon Gisborne if this traitor switches sides."

Legrand frowned. "This man is very dangerous for you, milord, and for Robin."

"I know, Legrand, and I'm very worried. Even if Gisborne doesn't try to kill me again, he will seize any opportunity to kill Robin. Gisborne will stab Robin from the back, for he doesn't care how to kill the young man whom he hates so much – dishonorably or in a fair fight."

"Our Robin is too compassionate when he shouldn't act this way; he is idealistic as well. He dreams about peace, prosperity, and equality, but these things are impossible – not in this world."

"That is true, Legrand," the King retorted with conviction. Then, with a hearty smile, he slapped his favorite upon his shoulder. "Robin's main tragedy is his idealistic nature. He wants to make the world a better place, but he doesn't understand that he will not succeed. One man cannot save the whole world. Such a great man may even lose his own life in pursuit of his dreams and ideals if he doesn't stop near the line." He smiled dolefully. "And I want to protect Robin as much as I can."

Legrand grinned. "But I have a bit of a weakness for Robin's idealism."

"And so do I," the lion confessed with a good-humored smile, his eyes full of deep affection that blossomed in his heart at the thought of Robin; he had entirely dropped the guard of his emotions. "Robin's tender, loyal, and kind heart makes me love him so much, and I like that a large part of his heart is still innocent. And the dreaming side of him makes my heart beat faster because every time when Robin talks about peace and justice, I remember myself in my early youth."

"Me too," Legrand continued with a large smile. "I love Robin for his mischief, courage, and honesty most of all, but I attach a great amount of my friendly affection to Robin's dreams."

The King's face turned serious. "Please keep an eye on Robin. He must know nothing."

"Sire, I will do everything you want if it makes your life and Robin's life safer," Legrand said in great excitement. "You have my word that everything will be done in utmost secrecy."

"I thank you for your faithful service." A smile stole over Richard's face.

"I'm doing my duty to England and to my King," Legrand said proudly, "and to my Captain."

The lion patted the knight's shoulder. "Excellent, Legrand." He smiled slightly. "Now you know how matters stand and what you should do."

"Soon it will be over."

"Let's hope that it will," Richard said quietly. "You may go."

Legrand wrapped the bottle in the same piece of velvet cloth and put it into the inner pocket of his tunic. "As you command, my lord." He bowed his head, and then went to the exit from the tent.

King Richard extended his hand and found a small parchment among the pile of parchments. He unrolled it and broke the royal seal – Queen Eleanor of Aquitaine's personal seal. He smiled at the sight of his mother's beautiful, calligraphic handwriting. The Queen Mother's message was eloquent and written in Norman-French, the King's native language.

My dear Richard,

I hope that you are healthy and that you are taking care of yourself in the distant lands I visited many years ago when I headed the Second Crusade together with Louis.

You should make peace with Saladin and come back home. John is plotting against you. If you don't return soon, you may lose your kingdom and your throne.

As for your question about Robin of Locksley and the assassin, I don't know why you asked me for an advice. I remember Robin very well; I have always liked this outspoken and charming lad. Robin saved your life many times during the war, and he is your dear friend, so you should keep Robin safe; you need this young man a lot and I know that you have a deep affection for him.

You always can handle assassins and conspiracies without keeping all traitors alive. Most importantly, the life of one traitor is not important if his death makes your friend safe, even if the way he dies is not a chivalrous one. There will always be many traitors but not many friends.

Take care of yourself, my beloved son.

Your loving mother Eleanor

The Queen Mother's secret message the King had received a day ago gave him the final course of action; Richard and Eleanor maintained regular correspondence through Sultan's prize birds. The King didn't want to do to Guy what he planned because it was not a knightly way of dealing with traitors, but this case was exceptional. Eleanor's message made the lion see with sickening clarity, the relations between the past, the present, and the future – he realized that if he had let Guy live, Robin would most likely be murdered by Guy sooner or later, and it was unacceptable for Richard.

Richard seated himself into the chair, the Queen Mother's letter pressed between his palms; he stared into the emptiness of the tent. "I did that for you, Robin," he murmured to himself; then he put the parchment on the table. "God forgive me for what I permitted to do."

ææææææ

Robin spent several days in his bed, but it was difficult for him to stay bedridden. Much was fussing over his master like a mother over her child, annoying and infuriating the young Captain. Several times Robin tried to climb out of the bed and leave the tent, but it caused him a lot of pain. Doctor Raoul gave Robin sleeping draught mixed with wine and juices which Much brought for his master; Robin didn't know what he was given to drink, and he slept for many hours, but when he understood the trick, he was ready to murder Much and the physician on the spot.

The sun burst through the gauzy mists which veiled it, and the golden light penetrated into Robin's tent through the open flap of the tent. Propped on the pillows, Robin sat in the bed, luxuriating in the bright and glorious environment that seemed to be a very dream of beauty in the lands destroyed by death and bloodshed. He was relieved that the pain in his left side had already subsided enough to let him sleep without taking pain-killing herbs every night; yet, his wound still throbbed in pain if he made awkward and quick movements, or if he inhaled and exhaled sharply.

Robin was far away in his thoughts, dreaming about the loveliness of England, the freshness of the morning air, the golden glare of the sunshine, the cloudless sky, the luxuriant green of Sherwood Forest, and a gentle hum of life which pervaded a closely-settled Nottinghamshire. Robin missed home, and his heart ached for everything and everyone he had left behind: he missed the twitter of birds, the buzz of insects, the lowing of cattle, the distant barking of dogs, and the drizzling rains that were so typical for England in autumns, springs, and even in winters. He missed all that he loved in his old life so much. But most of all he missed Lady Marian of Knighton, whom he loved throughout all the years of their pointless fight with the infidels.

Robin was pulled out of his thoughts when Doctor Raoul appeared at the doorway of the tent. The King's personal physician came to examine his patient; he was accompanied by the Earl of Leicester, who came to make his friend's life savored with merriment rather than boredom. Leicester and Much helped Robin undress, and soon Robin lay naked from the waist up on top of the crumpled silk sheets, watching the physician unpack several bottles and a couple of bandages from the medical bag as the man prepared to tend to Robin's wound.

Doctor Raoul eyed Robin. "How are you feeling now, Lord Huntingdon?"

"The pain is rather… acute if I make sharp movements," Robin replied truthfully.

"The wound is still healing. You will feel much better in about two-three weeks," the doctor stated. "But I think that the wound may still throb in pain for a month or even more."

Robin looked absent-minded, almost desperate. "But I want to interrogate Gisborne!"

"Robin, if you are not attentive to your health, the King will be displeased," Robert warned. "And we still have a ceasefire, for the attack didn't ruin our achievements on the way to peace."

"You are right," Robin agreed reluctantly. "I will interrogate him when I can."

Much handed the physician a bowl of fresh water he had just brought at Doctor Raoul's request; then he stared at Robin. "Master, you have to stay in the bed. You need more time to rest. You must sleep and eat and do nothing else. So far we are not fighting, and you must use this time to recover. And I must take care of you because you cannot take care of yourself. You are not strong enough."

A wave of anger passed through Robin as he listened to Much ranting over and over again that he was not healthy yet. "Pray tell me, Much, what do you mean by that somewhat impertinent observation that I'm not as strong as I used to be?"

The Earl of Leicester grinned widely. Of course, Robin found it more than disgraceful that someone could speak such things about him, Captain Locksley, the infamous leader of the King's men who had won laurels of victories in many battles with the Saracens and who enjoyed a blaze of glory much more than anybody else. Leicester opened his mouth to give some hot retort to Robin's angry outburst, but Much got before him.

"Master, I'm just taking care of you. I'm worried about you," Much said, somewhat embarrassed.

"Much, you don't have to babysit me," Robin retorted.

Robert laughed. "Robin, nobody will be able to tolerate you for a longer time than Much has been doing that." He chuckled. "Even I often find you intolerable."

"As much as you are." Robin grimaced in pain as the physician took the cloth from his wound.

Robert grinned. "I don't deny that."

"Sir Robin, I don't know how you managed to fight with your wound," Doctor Raoul looked at Robin, his eyes revealing deep respect and adoration. "Soldiers usually either die straight away or cannot even stand if they are wounded as severely as you were injured by the masked Saracen."

Robin smiled. "At that time, I didn't worry about myself. I knew that I had to act – I had to save King Richard." His heart thundered in his chest; his voice deepened. "My own troubles were not important – the King's life was at stake."

Robert smiled. "Robin, I understand you. I would have acted in the same manner." He winked at Robin. "You and I have always been the most loyal of all the King's men, my friend."

"There is no doubt that it is true," Much agreed. "The King holds you both in the highest favor."

Robin smiled smugly. "Of course, we are loyal and beloved, but… not very obedient." He tilted his head to one side. "Well, Robert, you know what I mean."

Robert chuckled. "Oh, I do know."

"You both could have been executed many times for insubordination if the King hadn't loved you so much," Much supplied. "I always fear that you will cross a line and make the King incensed."

Robert smirked. "Much, don't worry. The King will never execute us. He loves us too much."

"Yes, yes, yes," Robin said in sing-song tones, a smug smile hovering over his lips. "We are a fabulous combination of arrogance, audacity, foolhardiness, bravery, impudence, sweetness, compassion, charm, and goodness." His spirits improved. "The King will miss us if we are gone."

Doctor Raoul removed the cloth from the wound. "Lord Leicester and Lord Huntingdon, you both are the most intolerable men I have ever met." His voice was teasing, his eyes kind. "You entertain the King and every soldier in the camp."

"We are always making mischief and are always courting trouble. Without us, everyone will be bored." Robin's expression was an eccentric mixture of mightiness and innocence.

"There is no fun without us." Robert laughed, but then he winced in pain.

"There are always mischief and trouble where you both go," Much jested. "And I go with you."

After the Earl of Leicester and the physician left, Robin let his mind drift off to the most urgent matter he had to deal with – the masked Saracen. He could not forget the awful reality that Gisborne had tried to kill the King and him on the same night, and the full solemnity of the event loomed ever at the back of his mind and tempered his thoughts. But despite the aversion he felt for Guy, he was ready to overlook his feelings and spare Guy's life if Guy agreed to help him save the King from the Black Knights. But if Guy didn't wish to cooperate, Robin intended to execute Guy.

"Master, do you need anything else?" Much asked.

Robin turned his gaze to his loyal friend. "My name is Robin," he said. "Call me Robin."

"Of course, Robin." It wasn't easy for Much to use the form of addressing his former master preferred at the moment. "Do you need anything? Should I bring some food for you?"

"Thank you, Much, but I don't need anything."

"I can do whatever you want."

Robin smiled. "I know, my friend, and for that I love you."

Much looked at Robin with affectionate eyes. "I love you very much too, Robin."

Robin and Much stared at each other and smiled. Memories of their happy childhood flashed in their minds, and their hearts swelled with nostalgia for England and Locksley. They pictured the scenes of the past when they had run wildly with peasant children in Locksley, when they had gone to have target practice in Sherwood, and when Robin had trained Much to fight with a sword in the woods, so that Sir Edward of Knighton couldn't see the young Earl of Huntingdon again disobeying him and teaching his manservant to fight. Much also remembered when Robin had punched those who had offended him. Most of all, Robin and Much longed to see England again, but they wanted to turn time back even more, so they had never gone to the Holy Land and stayed in Lockley.

"You should rest because you must be tired," Much assumed.

Robin gave a nod. "You are right. I want to sleep."

Much helped Robin to change his clothes into a long and ample tunic that descended quite to the ground if Robin stood up and straightened to his full height; the garment was convenient for night sleep because it didn't envelop Robin's body tightly and didn't create any pressure on the healing wound. Then Robin and Much exchanged goodnight wishes, and the torches went out in the tent. Much was still sleeping in Robin's tent despite Robin's decision to make him a free man and an Earl: the loyal former manservant would have never abandoned Robin to the care of anyone else when he himself could nurse Robin back to health.

Robin slept restlessly and awoke later than usual, around midday, and his first coherent thought was about Gisborne. The recollection of his last conversation with Guy troubled him a lot. Robin hoped that Guy would make the right choice because he didn't wish to order Guy's execution, even though he hated Guy. Robin gave Guy a choice, and now Guy's fate was in his own hands, Robin mistakenly thought, not knowing anything about the King's interference in the matter.

Now you probably understand that King Richard always suspected that James is a spy who was bought by the Black Knights and organized the Saracen attack. Robin has no idea that James is a traitor and that the king has his own plan. You will learn about Richard's plan in the next chapter. I assure you that I will try to be fair to all the characters.

The next chapter is the last one, and then we have only an epilogue.