Sherwood Rogue

Chapter Twenty-Four

John took me to the inner garden where we had often talked before. We sat down on a bench in the shade of an apple tree.

"You never were a good liar, Kay," Little John began, leaning back and crossing his arms in front of his chest. "Will Scarlet fell off his horse?" He raised a brow.

I laughed as my face grew hot. "I must admit, it was one of my worst lies. I guess I'm out of practice."

"At least you have the presence to blush. Do you want to tell me the truth now?"

I scratched the back of my head, smiling. "I suppose I ought to. This is what it is. Much would have told you, if he had been here. Those men you captured . . . . They're part of a plan of mine."

John groaned. "Not a plan? What have you been up to, Kay?"

"Providing for the future, John. You know what will happen when Richard the Lionheart dies, don't you?"

"Aye," John said with such a look of distaste, I knew he had a good idea.

"Then you know we must go back to the forest." He nodded. "The two men you captured, and more like them, are outlaws after our own fashion. I don't know what the deal was with the chickens, but they, just like we did, rob the rich to survive. They keep it small to keep the foresters off their backs, and I help them when they need it."

"You're helping outlaws?" John asked, sitting up. "Those wild ruffians who have no care for anyone besides themselves? Kay, how could you?"

"No, John. Listen. There are two groups in Sherwood. One of them is near Lincoln. My band has had run-ins with them. They are the ones who cause all the trouble. My band is near Gamwell, and they believe in the same principles we do. I have been guiding them for years now, preparing for the time when Prince John becomes king. When that happens, these men will be in the forest, ready with supplies and a place to stay, ready to help us gather everyone together. When we go back, the forest will still be our friend."

"And it's not now?" John asked, frowning.

"Not to some. Think, John. It's been four years. You and I have stayed close to the forest, and so have the others who accepted service as foresters. But what about those who have been overseas all this time? And those who have been south, in the king's service? Four years is a long time, John. Long enough to forget. Things change."

John nodded. "It's a good plan, Kay. Friends in the forest will be welcome, to be sure. Better than those ruffians near . . . . Where did you say they were based? Lincoln? Yes, friends will be a help."

"Then you'll let them go?" I asked. "If I don't get them back, I'll have enemies on my hands where I used to have friends. And we will need their help soon."

Little John quirked his eyebrow at me but didn't comment on my grave words. "I'll let you take your 'servants' back." He sighed.

I got up and hugged him. "You won't regret it, Sheriff."

"I hope not." He stood, towering a full two heads above me. "I don't want this to come back and haunt me, so take care your records show discipline," he said gruffly. Then he smiled. "Will you be staying for the fair then?"

"Oh, I think so. It's not the time to be moving prisoners. Besides, I have a feeling Will may be along soon. I must be near to warn him about his 'twisted foot.'" I grinned rakishly and put my arm in John's as we walked back out to the fair. "And you must tell him to be careful with horses. They can be such wild creatures."

John laughed as I took my arm away. Dressed as I was, I didn't want to give John a reputation as a lover of boys, though I was sure any single woman in the town would testify against that.