“It’s easy for you to stay out of it,” William continued, “because the ramifications of your inaction are currently half the world away.” But William had seen it with his own eyes, he’d counted the bodies. “What of the king’s army? Without supplies, our soldiers desert. Or die. Richard’s army is dwindling, the war failing.”

“I will not…” the Sheriff’s finger trembled, crooked and pointing at William, “… aggravate them. Leave these outcasts to their own, and they’ll soon realize there’s no great opposition. They’re poorly organized, they won’t last through the winter. This shall pass. If a few shipments get lost traveling through the Sherwood, so be it. If your war’s success is bound to that which gets lost in my forest, it had no hope to begin with.”

“Perhaps I ought to join these rebels,” William said glibly. “Sounds as though they’re paid better than I am.”

De Lacy ignored the comment. “You’ve come a long way, William, not because Richard needs supplies, but because he doesn’t like to lose. His hubris is not worth bloodshed at home. I will not allow it.”

William sighed, at a loss for words. De Lacy’s attitude implied that the matter was settled, but William could wait to sway the man’s politics. Robin was better at dealing with politicians, and he could fix this once he made it to Nottingham. “A matter for another time, then. I should get some rest, for tomorrow’s search.”

“Indeed.” De Lacy dismissed him with a wave. “Gisbourne will arrange the details. Your missing companion, what was his name?”

“Robin of Locksley.”

The room itself shifted, so obvious was the Sheriff’s unease at the name. William’s hair stood on end. It was as if he had uttered some arcane spell, which had the power to change men’s minds. “Do you know him?”

“No,” answered de Lacy, carefully. “But I’ve had dealings with his father. When we first raised the taxes, Lord Walter of Locksley was one of the first to bear complaint. He gathered quite a bit of support over time, and what followed was … less than desirable.”

It had not occurred to William that Robin’s surname might be a liability in this area. If his captors learned his identity, they might choose to exploit him. Whatever guilt William already carried for leaving his friend behind suddenly multiplied, and threatened to mutiny.

“I can lead your captain to the place I last saw him. We’ll need a formidable host for a search party.”