“I don’t need to be kept safe from this. We shouldallgo to Main Street. Prury Street doesn’t get as much foot traffic; we’re more likely to stand out or be caught there. No one will pay attention to us on Main Street if we’re all minding our business or shopping for supplies.
“Everyone goes into Nottingshire for something. We have to make sure we buy something while there so we don’t stand out… especially Ianto. You stand out without trying.”
Ianto grinned as he folded his arms over his chest and rocked back on his heels. “It’s a blessing and a curse, but I can distract some of the attention from all of you… if we’re on the same street.”
Ryker shot Ianto a look. He wasn’t happy about my determination to go to Main Street, and Ianto wasn’t helping his cause.
“Ellery, you’ve had a rough couple of days,” Ryker said.
“Don’t do that!” I snapped. “Don’t use what happened to my mother against me. I’m here, I’m still fighting, and you won’t stop me.”
When we glowered at each other, the others shifted uncomfortably. In a contest of wills, I wasn’t sure who was more stubborn, Ryker or me, but I wouldn’t lose this one.
“I’m not using it against you,” he said. “I’m simply stating a fact. Your head might not be completely in this, which could cause a problem. It’s not a bad thing to sit on the sidelines once in a while.”
I crossed my arms over my chest. “I’m going to Main Street.”
“Oh, for fuck’s sake,” Ryker growled.
“I hate to interrupt, but the rest of us would like to go before the sun sets,” Tucker said. “Besides, it probably is best to go to Main Street. We’ll blend in with the crowd better, and, with so many amsirah around, it will be less likely someone will notice us dropping the purses.”
When Ryker glared at him, Tucker gulped and pulled at the collar of his forest green tunic. “See, Tucker agrees with me,” I said.
Ryker’s scowl deepened, and Tucker groaned. “Are you trying to get me killed?”
“Of course not. I’m just pointing out that you agree.” I smiled brightly at Ryker. “So now that we’ve settled everything, we should leave. Scarlet and I will go together.”
Scarlet looked between me and Ryker before edging closer to me. We’d always done this together, but she looked hesitant to draw Ryker’s attention.
“There is another problem,” Ryker said.
I was sure he would try to find another reason to try to make me stay behind.
“What is it?” Tucker inquired.
“They plan on moving the prisoners into Nottingshire today.”
“When?” Ianto asked.
“I don’t know.”
“Will they… will they beat them today?” I asked hesitatingly.
“Probably.”
I exchanged glances with the others before focusing on Ryker again. “We have to get this money out to the townsfolk. They need help, and if we don’t know when they’ll do it, we could put it off today only to have it happen tomorrow.”
“We could,” Ryker agreed.
“We have to go,” Tucker said. “The money has to get out.”
“Are you sure this is something you want to risk seeing?” Ryker asked me. “Once we’re there, if the beating starts, they won’t let anyone leave.”
This was one more way for him to try to make me stay, but we had work to do. Besides, they wouldn’t hide from this, and neither would I. “Yes.”
“Ellery—”
“We have to get the money out, and I’m not going to live in fear of something thatmighthappen.”
