Chapter 31
Robin climbed up the tall ladder leaning against the side of the manor. Everything was ready for their monastery raid in the morning except for one final detail.
She had spent the previous day—after speaking with Ian—working with each member of her band to fully lay out their roles and responsibilities for the intricate and dangerous mission.
She had also spoken with several of the Lockwood villagers who could hold their own in a fight to fill out her small team of eight.
Seven. Her core group of bandits consisted of seven. Ulli, Lane, Nele, Jette, Rigelt, Liam, and Fletcher.
Ian made them eight.
She reached the top of the ladder, poking her head above the roof of the manor.
Ulli knelt on the wooden slats, a hammer in hand. The frequent rain had been rotting out the wood shingles, making roof repair a near constant task at Lockwood. Fortunately, wood was plentiful.
As if sensing her presence, Ulli looked over his shoulder when she climbed onto the roof itself. He sent her a nod of welcome. Setting down the hammer, he stretched his arms overhead and sat back against the roof.
Robin walked nimbly over the uneven shingles, sat next to him, and handed him a flask of brewed tea. “Willa made a new concoction,” she said.
Ulli unstopped the flask and tilted his head back to take a long drink. “It’s good,” he said.
“It tastes like the last one to me,” Robin replied. “But the honey is a nice touch.”
Ulli nodded.
“About tomorrow,” Robin said, knowing that he would prefer to speak directly about why she was interrupting his work. “I want you to accompany Ian.”
“No.” Ulli’s reply was immediate. He did not even look at her, keeping his gaze straight out over the back clearing behind the manor.
Robin nodded, having expected this answer.
She, too, let her eyes wander over the people below.
Lockwood really had grown into the size of a small village, and she loved it.
Davin, Kade, and Carson leaned over a log outside the small carpentry shed.
They were likely planing it to create new shingles for the roof.
Maybe someday she could build a full sawmill by the river.
Ulli took another drink from the flask. “Lane and Jette will be with him,” he finally said, filling the silence when she did not.
Robin shook her head. She had lain awake most of the night, going over every detail. But the worry she could not shake was that she was sending Ian into a dangerous situation, even if there would be no fighting, even if he had an easy escape route.
“He is the crown prince,” Robin said.
Ulli looked at her then.
She could feel his eyes boring into the side of her face, but she did not turn to meet his gaze.
“I don’t care about the prince,” Ulli said. “He is a good man. But it is not his safety I will see to tomorrow.”
I do care about the prince, Robin thought, but she held the words inside. “Iseldis needs him to remain alive,” she said instead.
She glanced over to see if her words had made a difference.
Ulli still stared at her. His eyes had narrowed, but he was . . . almost smiling. “Do you need him to remain alive?”
Robin quickly looked back out over the clearing. Little Mads, Kade’s daughter, had run up to see what the men were doing. Kade scooped her up, carrying her away from the large saw they were using to plane the log. “I would not like to see him come to harm,” Robin said.
She had seen other girls—boys, too—blush a warm red when they spoke of someone they had a fondness for. She felt no heat in her cheeks, for which she was relieved, but her stomach was dancing in a strange way. Perhaps she needed to get off the high rooftop.
“I can swap with Lane,” Ulli said slowly. “But I do not trust him to fully see to your safety with all the other elements of tomorrow’s plan.”
“I will be fine,” Robin said. “I can take care of myself.”
“I know you can,” Ulli replied. “But tomorrow you will be outnumbered, three to one at least. And Iseldis needs you, too, Robin.”
Robin was not sure if he was saying yes or no to her request, so she waited for him to elaborate.
Up ahead, Meena and Celesta ran into the clearing from the far-right trail that led to the Majis village.
Shortly behind them, Isa also appeared through the trees.
She and Aden had remained in Lockwood for several days to share knowledge with Lyra and the Majis.
Aden walked out of the trail last, the large chest of books resting on his shoulder.
Perhaps it was empty, as he walked easily under its weight.
“I will remain with Ian,” Ulli said. “If you take his brother to guard you.”
“What?” Robin turned to Ulli, certain he was jesting.
Ulli had never looked more serious, which was his typical state of being.
“You are suggesting—nay, requiring—that I invite an entirely new person to join us on the most dangerous raid we have ever attempted.”
“You are including four villagers,” Ulli said.
“But they have fought with us before,” Robin explained. “They have other roles here, they do not come on every raid with us, but we know them. We know how they fight, how they think.”
“I have seen Ian fight,” Ulli replied. “He is skilled. His brother will have the same training. Prince Aden’s only responsibility will be to keep you safe,” Ulli continued. “We do not need him to work well with everyone, just to keep his focus solely on you.”
“But why him?” Robin asked, dropping her voice to a quieter register as the man they were speaking of neared the manor below them. Why not Davin, or Carson?”
“Have you seen the prince?” Ulli replied.
He had not lowered his voice as the way he spoke was naturally quiet.
“He is taller and stronger than Davin or Carson or any other man here. And he is trained. He cannot accompany the prince, as that will raise suspicion from the generals. So he accompanies you. That is my offer, Robin.”
Robin inhaled slowly, considering this option.
She was not opposed to inviting the other prince.
And she would truly be able to focus on her own role in the morning if she knew that Ulli was keeping Ian safe.
“Alright.” She nodded once. “I accept the offer.” She looked over at Ulli. “But what if he refuses?”
“I don’t think he will.” Ulli almost smiled again. “Especially if the request comes from his older brother. Who also wants to ensure that you are safe.”