“It’s the very signature of foul play. A brick could be more clever. Wendenal alone stayed in the castle while the entire Guard left for the tax raids, and we’re supposed to think this is coincidence? Wendenal’s claim to the seat is as flimsy as the paper it’s written on. But he won’t need that paper if he wins the support of every nobleman within twenty leagues. Which he’ll do by bringing in Robin’s gang.”

Eric squinted. “So if we go after the outlaws, we’re only helping him out.”

“Not if we keep our eyes open. Their plan seems simple—Locksley starts a rebellion to create turmoil, which Wendenal smothers to solidify his power. But to smother it, he has to capture Locksley and his men. I have no doubt he means for Locksley to mysteriously escape justice—so that’s our leverage. If we capture Locksley ourselves, we can use him. Get him to divulge this whole corrupt plan to us, then he and Wendenal hang side by side.”

“Do you mean…” Morg huffed. “Do you mean work against the Sheriff? Won’t we get in trouble?”

Guy’s breath stuttered. He honestly didn’t know the answer. “That’s a bridge for later. For now, at least, we all want the same thing. Publicly, at least.”

“Alright, well just tell me what to do,” Morg said, his thick beard quivering along with his lip. “I can’t follow all of this. Just give me something to do.”

Guy leaned back and breathed in proudly. “You’re already doing it. Welcome to the Black Guard.”

Eric and Morg exchanged a look of anticipation, hungry for whatever their new titles meant.

“We need to bolster our forces,” Guy said. “Not with Common Guardsmen. We have the best swordarms in five counties visiting right now, but we need to be careful. We need to only recruit men who are of common mind with us, who have no loyalty to Wendenal.”

“I could help,” the voice came from behind Guy, and he realized he had completely forgotten Ferrers was even in the room. He sat against the wall, as was his station, and did not drink with them. He had learned his lesson about speaking unprompted, but Guy gave him a mild acknowledgement.

“If you approach anyone from Derbyshire, consult me first,” Ferrers said. “My father is earl there, but some may consider themselves friends to Wendenal’s father, Lord Beneger. I could help determine a Derbyman’s loyalty.”

Guy bowed his head. “Thank you.”

“Have you interrogated the murderers yet?” Eric asked, sucking the spit between his empty teeth. “They know how to find Locksley.”

“I have,” Guy answered. That had been his first hope as well. “They weren’t helpful.”

“Let me try, then? Put me in a room with that girl. Maybe she gets feisty and tries something…” Eric’s sentence petered out into heavy implications.