John and Much wrapped packages of meat in the skins, and Rob and I set off quick. Rob headed for Worksop and I went to Edwinstowe, delivering the meat before sunup.

We parceled out the meat as best we could, trying to get to each family a cut that would feed them for the day at least. Some of the families had more luck than others; farmers had crops to feed their families, and some of the summer crops did fair well. Even if they were settled, though, when we got food, we shared it round.

I were through most of Edwinstowe when I heard the soldiers. I slid against one of the house frames, hoping they didn’t have a dog with them. I were covered in the smell of raw meat.

“Damn night patrols,” one grumbled.

“Gisbourne’s a fool. Everyone knows the Hood’s just a ghost.”

“Yeah, but somebody’s poaching, ain’t they? And we’re meant to catch the poachers.”

“And kill them. That ain’t on.”

“We bring ’em in and the sheriff’ll kill ’em. We don’t have to do it ourself.”

“I don’t get the plan. He thinks killing all them we catch together in some big thing will get the Hood to come out. Hood’s a ghost!”

“And if there were a Hood, and I were the Hood, I’d get them out the night before. Gisbourne’s none too smart.”

“No.”

“Maybe we can amble by Tuck’s. Rosie’s had that sparkle in her eye lately.”

The other chuckled. “Mind it ain’t no apple in her eye, lad.”

“Sheriff won’t never know. Let’s go over.”

The other man nodded.

I stayed hidden until they cleared, and then I bolted to Major Oak.

“It’s fine,” Rob said when I finished telling him all I heard. “We just don’t let anyone get caught poaching.”

It didn’t feel fine. It felt like a big storm, and Gisbourne were in the eye of it.

Chapter Five

The next morning were a long one spent on the road. There were a slew of travelers that morning, and I felt fair flush as I sussed them out. Some lords tried to look like the poorest of men, but they still rode huge horses and were hale and fed. Shameful. I liked picking those out the most. One set of knights were hauling a big chest of jewels for a lady, delicate and fine indeed, and when we cracked it open, far to the side of the road, I felt a smile bubble out of me.

“This will cover most of the people in Nottinghamshire,” John marveled.

I let a string of diamonds run through my fingers like rainwater. “Feed ’em and clothe ’em too.”

Robin winked at us. “That was a good spot, Scarlet.”

I grinned, watching the sun bounce off a silver bar. “Oh, I know.”

“This is excellent news, lads. Once we fence most of this, we’ll have time to spare for tax day.” Rob nodded at me. “And we can focus on running Gisbourne out of town.”

I nodded back, sucking in a breath that made my chest swell up. He were right, ’course. It would all be fine, and we were safe as houses.

It were later that afternoon when I walked through the market in Worksop with Much. The people in the shire towns liked Much best; he were an awful good listener, and they all knew him from a whip of a boy. Only, he didn’t always know which were the important bits, so I went with him to listen to what he heard.

It were strange. People looked at him and they gave everything over. They wanted to talk to him, and they wanted to pat his good hand and kiss his cheek and stand next to him. I weren’t the same as him. I stood alone, though I weren’t fair sure if that were by my own choice or not. Honestly, watching him, I felt like a leper.

I also felt a little noticeable. “Hello, Will,” I heard from beside me. Two girls were crowding around a launder basket and beaming at me. I tucked my hat down lower and frowned.

“Everyone’s heard what you did for Freddy Cooper,” her friend said.

I scowled. “You think yapping about that will be good for anyone?”

They shut their mouths. “We weren’t.”

“You were. Your mothers should have taught you better.”

They both flushed, but one still bit her lip like she were sweet on me. I scowled again. Stupid chit. I shook my head, looking over to Much, and by the time I looked back she were next to me; she took my face in both her hands and kissed me.

I whipped away, sputtering oaths as she went back to her friend and ran off, giggling the two of them.

And they weren’t the only ones. Much were bent over in laughter. I pushed him, and he rolled to the floor without my intended insult. “Come off it!” I stamped my foot.

“What’s so funny?” John asked, coming over in the middle of eating an apple. He tossed me an apple and I threw it at Much.

He only laughed harder. “K-k-kissed Scar!” he hooted.

“Someone kissed you?” John asked, turning to me. He didn’t look like it were too funny. “Who is he?”

This made Much laugh more.

“None of your business, John Little,” I told him.

He stepped closer to me with a flat face that, if I could ape it, I’d never be kissed by a stupid girl when I didn’t want to be. “Who, Scar?”

“Jenny Percy!” Much roared.

John’s face broke open, like a smile could split a black mood. “Wait till Rob hears this.”

“You two are nothing but loose lips,” I snapped.

John grinned. “Sounds like Jenny just got your lips a little looser.”