“Who are fighting for their own survival—”

“By killing the Sheriff?” William cut him off. Robin was grabbing at straws, he had to realize that.

“They’re good people, William,” he pleaded, but half-heartedly. “Most of them are families, chased off their land, or have lost too much. You can’t punish all of them for the acts of a few. Their situation is not their fault—it goes back a year ago, when the Sheriff raised taxes.”

“I know where this goes back. It goes back to when your father incited a rebellion.” William instantly regretted it. But the name Walter of Locksley had been said too many times in the last month. The great instigator. Robin’s father had built his own private nation in the middle of England. Walter of Locksley taught the common people that they were allowed to ignore their country’s rules. Robin should consider himself lucky he was not branded a traitor’s son.

“What did they tell you about him?” Robin asked.

“Your father started this war, Robin. These outlaws, your father’s outlaws … this was his plan all along.”

“You didn’t know him.” Robin paced the room now, back and forth in front of the crumbled walls and the moonlight. He shook his head—he almost wasn’t even speaking to William anymore.

William had to find the words to go back, to let Robin see. He could explain this all perfectly well, if he only had the right words, but it had gotten too complicated. Too personal. “Forget it. It’s not important. Let’s just remember what we’re here for, alright? You’re going to ride for the shore. You’re going back to Richard.”

Robin’s lips bulged forward, as if they would not let him utter his next words. At length he swallowed and looked William in the eye with a newfound certainty. “I’m not.”

“You can’t wait for me forever.”

“I’m not waiting.” Robin’s eyes were strained, he closed them slowly. “You’re going to see this through? Fine. So will I. I can help. I can still effect a peace on my end.”

“Peace is not possible anymore!” William blurted, and it echoed through the hall. “Nottinghamshire cannot have a peace until your outlaws are gone! All of them! There’s no way around this, I’m sorry. Are you going to tell me where their camp is, or not?”

Robin shut his lips tight.

“I thought you would be happy to help,” William said. “I could have gotten this information from Marion, but I didn’t want to put her through that.”

“Don’t you dare,” Robin said. “Don’t you dare threaten her–”

“I’m not threatening her! Listen to me, Robin! You can’t help these people!”

“I can, damn it! I have to.”