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"If anyone asks me about that under oath, I'll tell them exactly whose seal was on it."

"Thank you, Captain."

He gave a small nod.

Then we disappeared into the trees.

We returned to camp at dusk with eleven rescued villagers and a captain who might be willing to testify against Fitzwalter.

It was the most useful work I'd done since leaving Nottingham.

The prisoners were given food, blankets, and places to rest.

Hild settled beside Sefa at the largest fire.

Within minutes, the two women were arguing about the proper preparation of yarrow.

I suspected they'd get along extremely well.

Robin came to stand beside me.

She leaned her shoulder against my arm, and I looked down at her.

"Eleven," she said.

"Eleven."

"All of them."

"Yes."

She smiled.

For the first time in several days, I allowed myself to feel hopeful.

We'd rescued the prisoners, secured a potential witness, and begun moving William's evidence toward people who could act on it.

There was still a great deal to do, but we'd made progress.

Then a rider arrived.

He was a young messenger on a borrowed horse, and he'd ridden hard from Nottingham.

He dismounted awkwardly and hurried toward me.

"Sir."

I recognized the fear in his voice.

"What is it?"

He tried to speak, but the words came out in the wrong order.

Finally, he reached inside his coat and placed something in my hands.

A square of dark wool.

I recognized the fabric immediately.