The shelves in front of Ian were only half emptied. Ian wished they could take more, but the sight still made him smirk to himself. Even when she was taking back her own gift, Robin could only take half.
Before he left the cellar, Ian grabbed one of the larger barrels of pickled vegetables and threw it over his shoulder.
Nele grabbed two glass jars, tucking them under her arm as she followed him up the stairs.
“Thieves!” a voice thundered from the kitchen above.
Running up the final few steps, Ian hefted the barrel on his shoulder, ready to throw it in defense of his friends if need be.
At the top step, he saw a burly man—presumably the reeve—had entered the kitchen carrying a thick, wooden club. His face was angry and red, accentuated by the glowing red light from the coals.
“Reeve Vahnell,” Robin said, standing in the kitchen just in front of Ian. Her voice was incredibly calm for someone standing within arm’s reach of a raised club.
“Lady Robin?” the reeve said, his face displaying several emotions in rapid succession. Ian thought he saw a flicker of shame, but the man landed on an expression of confusion. “What are you doing here?”
“I could ask you the same,” Robin replied.
“I . . .” the man sputtered. “I live here.”
Robin pointed down to the cellar. “What are you doing hoarding the free food that I provided for the poor and hungry of Doulast?”
“Nothing!” the reeve said. “I mean, I was merely keeping it safe and ensuring the hungriest of the townsfolk received what they needed.”
“And how were you doing that?” Robin asked.
Ulli and Lane walked through the open back door, moving to stand on either side of Robin. Moving past Ian, Nele stepped into place behind Robin, creating an intimidating group of black-clad bandits.
Ian, still holding the barrel on his shoulder, realized that he was one of them. And the thought filled him with pride.
“By keeping it safe in my cellar,” the reeve said, answering Robin’s question as he slowly lowered his club. “And...and giving it to anyone who asks.”
“Has anyone asked for it?” Robin inquired.
The man remained quiet.
“Have you offered it to anyone?” Robin asked.
Knowing he had been defeated, the reeve shook his head.
“I will be redistributing this food to those whom it was intended for,” Robin said. “And when Ulli comes back in two days’ time, the rest of the supplies from me will not be in your cellar.”
Reeve Vahnell nodded.
“Should you ever find yourself in need, I will do what I can,” Robin said. She stepped forward, putting herself uncomfortably close to the now ghostly-pale reeve. “But do not ever mistake justice for weakness again.”
Robin turned and left the kitchen, turning her back on the reeve as she walked out into the night.
Lane and Nele followed Robin out the door.
Ulli gestured for Ian to leave ahead of him, so Ian leaned down and picked up the barrel before going through the open door.
Taking up the rear, Ulli closed the door behind them.
Rigelt and Jette stood near the gate of the fence, the large sacks of food at their feet as well as two prancing dogs.
Upon seeing Ulli, the dogs abandoned Rigelt and barked excitedly until they had received the last morsels of raw meat.
Ian followed Robin’s lead, picking up a sack of food and hefting it over his empty shoulder. It would be a difficult walk home with this much weight, but Ian had a feeling they would not be taking it back to Lockwood.
