She could argue that he was, in fact, a master of it. But instead she let it slide, happy for him to retreat to the hole in which he’d been living. “Fine. You’re right. There’s nothing worth fighting for here.”

“Marion, you know that’s not—”

“Go take a fucking horse, Robin. Any one will do. Actually, no.” Her eyes leveled him. “The fastest one.”

Whatever his response was going to be, the moment was stolen by Will Scarlet gliding back in from outside, swiftly, noiselessly. He slid an arm intently around Marion’s waist and eased her toward the rear of the hall.

He said one word. “Riders.”

Alan was beside him, rushing toward the hearth. “Put out the fire.”

“It’s too late, they’ve seen it,” Scarlet said, loping to a slag of fallen stone. He rounded the hall, both knives out, until he flattened by the main hallway. Arthur rejoined the room from above and started down the stairs, but Scarlet signaled for him to stay put. Marion concealed herself behind the arched curve of an empty doorway, but no further. Her mind raced to think on who could have followed her here.

Robin didn’t budge, oblivious to the possibility of danger. He gazed half-interestedly as footfalls echoed in from the entranceway. Whoever it was had already entered the building, which meant they had gotten past Sir Amon and Clarell. A single figure appeared, a man dressed in dark pleated leather armor. A thick hood slumped off the back of his head, the same outfit that Robin was wearing. A longsword was slung from his belt, and he carried another in his hand. Robin squinted at the stranger, then laughed out loud as the two embraced. “Now here’s a real hero.”

“Thank God, Robin.”

“William.”

Scarlet was there in an instant. One blade he held gingerly out, the tip touching the intruder’s back. “Hullo, again!”

“Put your weapons down.” Robin was all smiles. “How’d you find me?”

“This was not the first place I looked,” the man named William replied. “These are … our friends now?”

“Friends, no,” Robin said. “But we’ve come to an understanding.”

Scarlet remained still. “I’m not so sure I’m understanding this understanding.”

Marion pushed against the cold stones, hoping for a better look. Robin’s friend appeared agitated but held no animosity. “I’m looking for John Little, actually. We mean to negotiate a peace between him and the Sheriff.”

“A peace?” asked Alan. Marion opened her mouth to reveal herself, but felt a large hand at her shoulder easing her back again.

“Stay put,” John Little whispered into her ear. “Might yet be you need to disappear.”