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women. He picked up his harp and played softly, hoping the sound would lull Robin
where his beloved waterfall did not.
Little John came to the cave at dawn, bearing breakfast. Will met him on the path
outside and helped him carry it in. Will s fingers ached and he had two new blisters. He
had played all night and Robin had slept without stirring and without herbs.
Will looked up. Little John, he needs to know.
He s not ready. The big man s answer came flat and hard.
He can t face the men thinking his lady hates him. Tell him all you have from
Bess. Will set the harp aside and stood. He grasped Little John s big forearms, each as
thick as one of his thighs. He wept in his sleep.
You told him she was getting married.
Will nodded. He had to know. But he needs to know all of it.
All right. As long as you have a hand in whatever monseoc scheme he cooks up.
Will, exhausted and relieved beyond reason, barked a laugh at the old Saxon term
that meant literally moon-sick . He hadn t heard it since his mother had died, years
before. He hugged Little John tightly. I will. Oh John, he s going to make it! He walked
around the cave last night.
He ll make it if he keeps his mind on his skin instead of the princess .
Will laughed, even through the tears that threatened to burst out of him. As well
wish for the sun and moon to stop going around the earth, my large friend. Come, let us
see him.
In the cave, Robin was stirring and had sat up without aid for the first time. Sitting
was more comfortable than lying down. His back pained him, Will knew, and even
though his chest was almost healed, he knew that hurt too.
Will made sure Robin had plenty of food and took his own breakfast. Little John sat
down on the floor.
I have word from Bess, John said.
Tell me, Robin said around a mouthful of apple pasty. The news did not diminish
his appetite, it seemed. Will watched how much he ate and made sure he got enough.
Good or bad, I must know.
Your girl is a prisoner, Robin. She s under command to marry the Sheriff or die.
And& she begs you to rescue her. Little John knitted his broad brow. He had relayed
the exact message. Will nodded and Little John relaxed.
Robin looked relieved for a moment and then scowled. How? I can barely sit up or
walk without you helping me. He balled his hands into fists and then released them.
Will saw his mouth go tight at that pain.
You sat up alone this morning. And we have two more weeks, Will reassured
him.
Robin set his jaw. Then we must plan. I said I wouldn t see her hurt and I meant
it.
First you need to see the men, Will said.
Robin finished his breakfast. So much to do. Help me up, men. It is time to begin.
He swung his legs off the bed and Will and Little John helped him to his feet. Will, go
ahead of us and gather the men. Little John will get me to the Oak.
Will looked at him worriedly but knew Little John could carry him there if needed.
Aye, good master. We ll see you there. He hurried lightly down the path, sounding
his horn.
When Little John brought him to the clearing, Robin released his hold on his arm.
He had only needed to steady himself a few times. The walk had exhausted him, but his
heart was glad within him to see so many of his men gathered and awaiting.
As he walked to his seat beneath the Great Oak, a cheer rose, resounding through
the forest and echoing over the water. Little John smiled at him and Will stood by to
help him sit.
Robin, although on the dregs of his strength and aching, smiled as he eased himself
down on the seat. The reception gratified him. When the cheering died down, he held
up a hand for silence.
Men of Sherwood! he began in a harsh rasp unlike his own voice and coughed.
He had not given Phillip the satisfaction of breaking him with that knife, but near the
end, he had screamed his voice away during the twice-daily beatings. More loudly, his
voice growing stronger and more like its old self on each word, he tried again, Men of
Sherwood! Word has reached me that you lose faith, but I didn t believe it. And rightly,
I see now.
The men stirred and he went on. Once we gathered here and vowed to join
together and fight for what is right. To oppose tyranny. To protect our lands and
families from being bled dry. We swore an oath with our very lives that we d never
give up. Never lose hope. Not while we live. We still live!
The men cheered, raggedly at first and then more strongly. Someone in the back
Robin always suspected Will of planting him yelled, We still live!
The crowd took it up. We still live! We still live!
Robin surreptitiously used Little John to help him stand. The big man put him on
his feet as if it were nothing. He held up his hand for silence again.
Let us renew that oath, my Merry Men. For we are needed now, more than ever
before, with King John in our very land.
And I say we take him! Him and his poxy Sheriff! Drag em out of that rat-hole
castle and hang them as high as they would hang us, yelled a voice from the back.
Murmurs of agreement ran through the men, growing to a groundswell of nods and
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