“And you plan on saving Tempest by stealing from our rulers to build an army.”
“That’s part of it, but the plans aren’t completely formed yet.”
“That’s good.”
“And why is that?”
“Because alotof amsirah are suffering in Tempest. If you’re going to steal, they should have some of your profits. Going after the aristocrats and king will attract a lot of hate fromtheirloyal followers, but if you help to feed the amsirah in the towns, you won’t find any hate there. Even if you can’t help them all, knowing you’re fighting against their oppressors will earn you their loyalty.”
“Is that what you intended when you became the Hooded Robber?”
“No. That was an unintended consequence of simply trying to help them. In the process, I earned their loyalty, but they didn’t know who I was and couldn’t turn me in. If you plan to build an army, they’ll learn who you are.”
“I plan to keep that hidden for a while.”
“Plans have a way of going astray.”
“Are you regretting stealing from me?”
She bit her bottom lip as she contemplated this. “In the beginning, I regretted iteveryday. Then I got to know you, and in the process, I grew to hate myself for all the lies and secrets. When I was with you, I was happier than I’d been in years… maybe ever.
“I can’t regret what happened or wish things had been different, because then I wouldn’t have gotten to know you. If I never took your money, we may have seen each other in passing, but you wouldn’t have stopped to talk to me, and if you did, it wouldn’t have been for long.
“I regret the secrets and lies, more than I can ever tell you, and I considered telling you the truth so many times. I never found the courage to do so because I was afraid you’d hate me. I was correct, and my actions have led me to the end of my freedom, but I don’t regret stealing from you because of all the good that followed… for a brief time. And no matter how ugly it’s all gotten and will continue to get, I will always have those memories.”
I didn’t know how to respond. Despite all the many lies she’d told, I wanted to believe her… which was very dangerous.
CHAPTERTHIRTY
Ryker
Ellery wasa slippery slope I didn’t plan on riding again. I wanted her help with this, and that was it.
I looked at the bag of money on the table. “I have five thousand carisle for you and your mother.”
“I can’t go to the palace with your money. They’ll ask how I managed to raise so much money, and I don’t have an explanation for them.”
“Then why did you come to me?”
“I was desperate and naïve enough to believe you might have a way out of this mess. I thought there might be some way to free my mother without forfeiting myself or everything we’ve worked so hard to maintain. Now, I see the truth. I can’t tell them you gave me the money; your father would burn this place down and ensure I never saw my mother again.”
“My father will never learn about this because you’re right; he’ll come after you if he does.”
“I think he has men watching over us.”
“I’m sure he does.”
She glanced at the money. “If they saw you come in here?—”
“I made sure no one was in the woods; he doesn’t know I’m here and won’t learn about this.”
“Take your money, Ryker. I can’t use it.”
“Yes, you can because I know a way out of this. You’ll keep my five thousand carisle for yourself while you go to the palace and offer Ivan half your crops for the year. They’re worth more than five thousand.”
“They are, but giving him so much of our future income will destroy us. We’ll lose the manor anyway.”
“Which is why you’ll have my money to keep you going. This is only the downpayment; I’ll give you more soon. Of course, you’ll have to live sparsely so they don’t start questioning things, but I’ll get you through this.”
