“No one ever does,” I breathed after she was gone.
LAUREL
The following evening, I snuck down to the washing room and exchanged my woman’s attire for that of a male servant. The clothing was similar enough to the Merry Men’s uniforms to make me feel more like myself again, except that the linen tunic was a dirty off-white color instead of green. I wished I had a darker color to blend into the night better, but that couldn’t be helped. I gratefully pulled on brown leggings, laced up my old boots, and fastened the wide brown leather belt around my waist. Then I braided my hair tightly, wound it up on top of my head, and pinned it firmly beneath my cap.
Goodbye, Isabella.
After weeks of memorizing the guards’ schedules and patterns, it was easy to get up to Prince John’s quarters. I made my way up to the empty tower, looped a rope around one of the empty iron torch brackets on the topmost turret, tested the knot twice, then leaned out over the edge. The drop below was dark and dizzying, but I swallowed my trepidation and lowered myself down the tower bit by bit, keeping my right leg coiled around the rope while my left foot held it firmly in place against the arch of my boot. The position gave me enough securityto release one hand when I reached Prince John’s washroom window.
I grinned. How fortunate that I’d been assigned to clean his quarters during the day so I could leave it unlocked. I pried it open and caught the ledge. For one breathless moment, my footing teetered on the narrow stone sill, and my stomach lurched as the world tipped beneath me. Then I recovered, pulled myself through the window, and dropped silently to the floor.
I crouched in the washroom and held my breath.
Heavy snores sounded from the bedchamber, deep and steady. Nothing else seemed out of place. All I had to do now was make sure Prince John and his wife stayed asleep, open his desk, and steal everything worth stealing before the guards learned of my presence.
Simple.
The lock on Prince John’s desk was difficult, which was irritating but not surprising. I held my breath and timed picking the lock to coincide with the deeper snores. It took longer than I wanted, but eventually the lock surrendered with a soft click.
I smiled and eased the drawer open.
The drawers were full of parchment, some stacked neatly, others folded and sealed, with still others tucked beneath more ordinary correspondences. I held several different papers up to the moonlight, trying to inspect them, but the room was too dim and time was too precious to analyze each one in depth.
No matter. I would have plenty of time later to look. I folded and tucked as many as I could into my belt. There was also a heavy bag of gold stashed in one corner of the drawer that I took as well. So far, so good.
Now to remind everyone who they were dealing with. I whipped out a blank piece of parchment, and dipped a quill into the ink.
Dear Good Sir,
I appreciate your generosity in donating to the less fortunate today. Please note that your locks are of poor quality. Long live King Richard!
Yours sincerely,
Robin Hood
I sniggered quietly and left the note in plain sight on the desk.
Baron had been worried about such a simple job. This was going to make an excellent story, especially since I had stolen the plans right from under Prince John’s nose while he was sleeping in the next room.
A slight scuffling sound came from the doorway to the bedchamber and I looked up. Prince John’s wife stood there, one hand against the doorframe, her eyes wide and horrified.
For one terrible second, neither of us moved. Then she opened her mouth and screamed. “Help! Thief! Help! Guards!”
I dashed around the desk toward her.
She lifted her clenched fists. “I’m not afraid of you, you… you criminal!”
I pivoted and kicked, my boot catching her at the hip and sending her backward through the bedroom door. Before she could recover, I slammed the door shut and bolted it.
“Your Majesty? My lady?” a guard called from outside. “Are you all right?”
Prince John’s wife continued screaming from behind the locked bedroom door.
A thousand curses.
I heard the guard throw his shoulder against the outer door. A volley of bangs followed, each one louder than the last. The whole castle was going to know I was here.
But they’d have to catch me before they could imprison me. I raced back to the washroom, leapt onto the windowsill, and reached for the rope.
