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I drew my bow, peeking over the rim of the barrel I hid behind, and focused on the rightmost guard standing watch. His armor glinted in the sun. I saw the supple points where he was least protected, and from this distance I knew I could strike him dead.
Holding my breath, I pulled back on the bowstring—
And then the door flew open.
I gasped, loosened my hold on the string, and ducked down.
Guy of Gisborne marched out. He stormed down the road in my direction and I slid my back down the side of the barrel, making myself small and, hopefully, invisible.
I heard his boots crunching on gravel near me as he passed. His voice was a low murmur, grating and brooding. “Fucking unbelievable.”
That was all he said. Then he was past me, and the two guards he’d brought stayed with him as they marched together toward the town square, likely to join the town’s defense there.
I hoped Will, Alan, and Tuck were okay. I hoped they were still alive.
My body was shaky. I felt nauseous. Now there were only two guards at the door. I had to act. There was no excuse not to. I looked out, pulled back my bow, and aimed again.
And a hand fell on my shoulder.
My world tilted—I threw back my elbow instinctively—
And heard the satisfying crunch of a man’s nose as I connected.
I spun around, dropping my bow and pulling a dagger out in one fluid motion to gut whoever was behind me.
The bright blood running down his stark white face was a jarring contrast. He held his hands up in surrender, unarmed.
It was the unfathomably pale man from the execution.
“H-How did you get here?” I hissed. “Who are you?”
“Dan the Dove, they say.” He cursed under his breath and pinched his nose to stanch the bleeding. “Gods, woman, you’ve got an elbow on you.”
My eyes narrowed.
“I’m here to help,” he said.
“How?”
His chin nudged over the barrel. “Your friend is in there.”
“How do you know that?”
“Because I was in there, too. You’re Robin Hood of the Merry Men. I’ve heard of you. Saw you in the crowd as I followed Sir Guy’s gaze, ready to shoot him between the eyes. Knew it was you because there’s only one female bowman in the Merry Men, that I’m aware of.”
“Guy is an enemy of mine.”
“Enemy of mine, too.”
I blinked at the strange man. His eyes were reddish-orange and bright. Despite the bleeding nose I’d caused him, he looked ready for a fight.
“What do you plan to get out of this, Dan?” I asked.
“Freedom. And a seat at the table.”
“With the Merry Men?”
A nod.
