Robin Hood/Fitz Vacker

I sat at the fire, staring at the flickering flames. Keefe came and sat down next to me on the log, with Tam and Linh. I had been hesitant to let the twins join, but we needed all the help we could get. Everyone was on edge because the people of Havenfield would have to pay taxes in a week. I was extra edgy because Will Scarlet was due at camp tonight, according to his message.

Will Scarlet was a complete mystery. He was our informant, my inside man. Will always carried knives, wore a black cloak, and somehow brought us jewels and extra money. I assumed that he was nobility, but it was just a guess. Will always said that the message was important, not himself, so his face was always obscured. He sometimes came with us when we stole from the Sheriff, but he mostly delivered information. Will wasn't very big, so he was excellent in the stealth department.

"When is he supposed to come?" asked Keefe. In town, he was John. Here, he was Keefe.

"Sometime after sundown," replied Linh. "He's mysterious, isn't he?"

"Oh, someone has a crush," teased Keefe, smirking.

"It's not a crush, it's...me trying to get a better read on the guy. I mean, we can't even see his face!" said Linh, blushing furiously.

"Well, he's never been wrong," I said. "His information has been very useful in the past, as well as his skill set."

"Speaking of crushes," smirked Tam, "did you hear what Lady Stina said today?"

"Who's Lady Stina?" asked Linh.

"She was Fitz's betrothed," Keefe explained, to my embarrassment. "Back when Fitz was the son of an earl, he was quite popular with-"

"That's enough Keefe," I interrupted before he could continue. "What did she say?"

"Mostly how she hoped the good Sherif would rid Eternalia of the nasty Robin Hood, and how he was a disgrace to the crown, blah, blah, blah," said Tam, rolling his eyes. "But then Lady Sophie stopped her!"

"Really?" I leaned in, hoping Tam would continue.

"Oh, someone has a crush," smirked Keefe, grabbing my hand. "And your emotions are spiking all over the place!"

"Empaths," I grumbled. "No, I don't! And let Tam finish!"

Tam stood up and acted as if he were Lady Sophie. In an unnaturally high voice he said, "Well, Lady Sophie interrupted Lady Stina and said: 'Oh, Lady Stina, how can you be so blind? The Sheriff is clearly the villain of Nottingham! Robin Hood at least provides for the people and has a heart! The people love him, I love him, and if you can't see that, you don't deserve the title of noble! Have a heart, Stina.' Direct quote!"

"Well, well, well," said Keefe. "Fitz can be a lovable person, I guess. You have an admirer, Fitzy!"

"Don't call me that," I grumbled, my face red. "And Sophie was just being...nice."

"And what if Sophie has taken a liking to you?" asked Linh. "I see that you're already on a first-name basis. When's your next date?"

"Oh, a first name basis, huh? Scandalous. I just knew her when I was younger. She probably wouldn't recognize me now. It's been twelve years since I last saw her when I was ten. So that makes her..." I counted on my fingers. "Twenty."

"I wonder what would happen if-" started Tam.

"Don't you dare say anything," I glared at him. "After all, who takes the time to memorize a direct quote from a random noblewoman?"

"I didn't memorize it, I wrote-" Tam tried to speak again.

"And here I thought we would be discussing important matters," said a deep voice.

I sucked in a breath. "Will, I'm sorry about the-"

"Doesn't matter," he waved his hand. "It was quite amusing to listen to your quarrel."

"You were listening to us the whole time?" I asked, turning even redder.

"No, I just caught the ending. I don't even know who you are talking about," he said. "But enough. I have to be back by midnight, and I don't have a lot of time."

"Did you find out how much the Sheriff is going to tax the people?" I asked, nervous.

"Yes," he replied. Was there a note of tension in his voice, or was I imagining it? "The farmers are required to give half of their crops, while the rest have to give a third of their income, and," he paused.

"What?" Keefe pressed.

"All eligible males are required to help with the construction of the new wall," Will whispered.

"What?" I shouted. "No. Just no."

"What's the wall even for?" asked Tam.

"It's a new security feature," Will explained. "It's to protect Nottingham from attacks, and to keep vigilantes like you out."

"This isn't good," I said, running my hands through my hair. "Do the people know yet?"

Will shook his head. "The Sheriff is planning to tell them tomorrow. As a public announcement. There's one more thing. It involves a contest, I think."

"A contest?" Linh asked.

"A contest. Apparently, Prince Brant is coming to Havenfield. Rumor has it that the Prince," Will said his name with disgust, "is concerned about the Sheriff. He's worried that the Sheriff isn't doing his job, so he's going to hold a contest to elect a new Sheriff."

"Who can participate in the contest?" Keefe asked.

"Any man of noble birth or rank," Will replied.

"Fitz, you could become Sheriff!" Linh exclaimed.

Thanks for reading!!

⤭ Meels