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I turned everyone's attention back to the map.

Castle executions followed an established procedure. I'd signed the orders for eleven during my years in Nottingham, so I knew exactly how the preparations would be handled.

"They'll put the gallows in the inner courtyard," I explained. "Fitzwalter wants the garrison to witness the execution, not the townspeople."

I traced the route with my finger.

"Hugh will be brought from the east-range cells, up the staircase, through the undercroft passage, and into the courtyard through this door."

"How many guards?" Alana asked.

"Four, most likely. A sergeant and an officer will accompany them."

"So we take him on the stairs," Little John suggested.

I shook my head. "Thirty-one stone steps, a guard post at the top, and no second exit. If we go down there, we'll be trapped."

I tapped the passage connecting the stairs to the yard. "This is where we intercept them."

Robin leaned closer. "Inside the castle?"

"Yes."

"Fitzwalter will expect us."

"He'll expect us to attempt a rescue at the cells. That's where most people would go."

"And how are we getting inside?" she asked. "The kitchen postern is barred, and they've fitted new iron over the drainage opening."

"Which means both routes are being watched."

I sat back.

"We're going through the clerks' entrance."

Nobody looked particularly impressed. I couldn't blame them.

Nottingham Castle had a small service entrance on its northern side, used primarily by clerks, messengers, and the servants who delivered parchment, candles, and supplies to the archives.

It wasn't considered important enough to warrant a substantial guard. The entrance opened every morning at the fifth hour, and the porter responsible for it had held the position for nineteen years.

He was a thoroughly unpleasant man who considered anyone requiring access to the archives a personal inconvenience.

"And who's going to open it early?" Robin asked.

"Peverel."

She blinked.

"The archive clerk?"

"Yes."

"The little man who helped you with the records?"

"The very same."

I looked around the table.