John smiled smugly. “Well done. Those outlaws have plagued us for years. I’m glad to hear some of them are gone for good.” He sighed rather theatrically. “I’m sorry to hear about your father. He was a great man and a loyal follower. I look forward to working with you in his place.”
“Father spoke highly of you often, Your Majesty,” I said. “I’ll never be the man he was, but I’ll serve to the best of my ability.”
“You already have,” John said. “Killing some of Robin Hood’s Merry Men is no small accomplishment. You’re to be commended for your service.”
“Thank you, sire,” I replied, then cut in before he could elaborate. “But I didn’t come for praise or to exchange pleasantries.”
John chuckled. “Just as efficient as your father, I see. No need to clutter our time with small talk.” He leaned forward and interlaced his fingers.
“I’ll be brief,” I said. “Robin Hood himself is still at large. If you have any extra men, I want a task force out looking for him. He was injured in the attack and will be vulnerable if we can find him soon. I intercepted the message you sent to my father and have my men positioned at the Crags, but they can be here within two weeks now that winter is over. When will Philip’s army arrive?”
“Two months from now.”
I nodded. “Then we can drill until they arrive. I trust your barracks can accommodate us.”
“Of course.” John leaned back, pleased. “But there’s no rush. Richard won’t return anytime soon, but having your men here would be advantageous. You’ve waited long enough. Now, about your other duties.” John went on to detail other obligations that came with being sheriff, most of which I already knew from watching my father for so many years. I would be primarily tasked with collecting taxes and enforcing the law. I had the authority to arrest and imprison anyone I wanted, save Prince John himself. It was no wonder to me why my father had loved this position. The power associated with it was palpable.
“And Richard?” I asked carefully. “Is he still being held by the Austrians?”
John grimaced. “No. Leopold sent him elsewhere and neglected to say where. A blasted inconvenience if you ask me. But I have a plan to get the information.”
“What’s your proposal?”
John raised his glass. “A tournament. Held in your honor. The nobility always like to know the sheriff. We can even invite Duke Leopold and his son and hopefully coax them into revealing where my brother is being kept.”
“An excellent idea!” Rufus piped up enthusiastically. “What cunning! What foresight! Well done, Your Majesty! Such an honor to be in your presence! With you as our lead?—”
I arched an eyebrow and he immediately clamped his jaws shut.
“As you wish,” I said, inclining my head. “Though it matters little who holds Richard, so long as we are prepared for his return. My allegiance is always to you, Your Majesty.”
John grinned. “I like the way you think, Baron.”
Inside, my pulse thundered.
This was the price of keeping Laurel alive: working for a tyrant that would kill both Laurel and me the second he discovered the truth.
LAUREL
“Ready, Izzy?” Aalis wriggled with barely contained excitement. “It’sfinallytime!”
Of course. The stupid tournament.
From what I’d heard, it would be nothing like Father’s annual tournaments back in Sherwood Forest. If I was allowed to participate in the games, it would be a different story. But from what Aalis had described during the many nights she lay awake, endlessly chattering away from the bedroll next to mine, girls would cinch themselves up in suffocating corsets, hoping to be noticed by the contenders and invited to the ball that evening. I had no intention whatsoever of displaying myself like a peacock on parade when my time could be spent snooping around to find out information on where King Richard was being held. There had been whispers of secret tunnels and passageways leading out of the castle. I could use the time during the tournament to slip away and investigate. I might even manage to sneak into Prince John’s empty quarters while everyone else was distracted.
“Aalis,” I groaned, rubbing my temples, “I really don’t want to go. Aren’t there chores we need to finish?”
She stared at me as if I’d just grown a third eyeball. “How can you even think of work right now? There will be so many men, probably even without shirts on. Wehaveto go!”
Honestly. “I have someone back home I’m interested in,” I lied smoothly.
“Oh, please!” Aalis scoffed. “Prince John invitedeveryone. There will even be royalty from all over and there’s a new Sheriff of Nottingham. He’ll be attending too. Trina saw him today and said that he’s very handsome! As far as I know, he’s young and single.”
Wonderful. Just what I wanted—girls throwing themselves at Baron right in front of me.
“No.”
“But Isabella!” She grabbed my arm, a note of desperation creeping into her voice. “You’re my best friend. Youhaveto come with me. I can’t go alone! Prince John will be there, and the Duke of Austria, and his son, and?—”
