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Terric looked at him for a moment, then said, “We will need to send messages ahead to our allies within the city. Should we also shore up our foreign allegiances, specifically ties to France?”

“We will not all go to London at once, but aye, I believe we should do both.”

“Are you suggesting we split up? In different directions?” Terric asked.

“I am,” he said. “We’ll cover more ground that way, and it’ll make it more difficult for his people to find us all.”

Conrad could see Lance and Guy considering it.

“Bishop Salerno must be informed at once,” Lance said, naming one of the key supporters of their cause. Without allies in the Church, they had no chance. Keeping the bishop informed was essential. “I will go to him.”

“Noreham.” Guy grabbed his own mug of ale. “We will ready for London there and coordinate contact with those on the inside.”

The possibility of taking the city, even though the king was not in residence, had been bandied about since the start of their rebellion. All twenty barons had agreed that seizing it would be the quickest path to gaining John’s agreement to sign the Charter of Liberties, which would essentially blunt his power. But they’d hoped they would not need to take such a risk.

“I will take my men south, informing the others along the way as well as ensuring French support,” he agreed.

“And I will bring my men all the way to the city walls. Send the message that we have the men necessary to take the city by force, if needed.” Terric raised his chin, defying any of them to disagree. It was a dangerous proposition, for the only reason a northern border lord would have to be in such a place with a contingent of men was as an open provocation against King John.

The four men watched one another, each daring the others to voice a final concern. To stop the wheels of war they’d begun to turn.

But none did.

It was the logical next step, the path that needed to be taken.