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Robin stepped forward. "My lords."

Sir Reynald nodded for her to continue.

"I've been an outlaw for six years. For three of those years, I've been known as the Ghost of Sherwood." She stood straight, looking from one commissioner to the other. "I'm not asking you to pretend I haven't broken the law."

I watched her place both hands on the table.

"I'll answer for every arrow I've fired. And I'll tell you now that I've never killed a man with one." She took a breath. "But my father was convicted of treason in eleven days."

The hall was silent.

"Evidence that could've proved his innocence was removed from the records. Nobody allowed him a fair opportunity to defend himself."

Her voice remained steady.

"I'm asking you to examine that evidence now. That's all I've wanted for six years."

Behind her, Fitzwalter turned toward the doors.

"My lord," Sir Reynald called.

Fitzwalter kept walking.

"Remain where you are."

He took several more steps. Then stopped. His guards hadn't followed him. Four men wearing his colors stood near the wall, their hands resting at their sides.

They'd heard the commissioner's order.

And for the first time, they seemed uncertain whose authority they were expected to obey.

Fitzwalter looked back at them.

Nobody moved.

He turned toward the dais. Sir Reynald waited. After a long moment, Fitzwalter returned to his seat. I watched him sit down.

For the first time since I'd known him, he looked like a man who wasn't entirely certain he would get his way.

The commissioners spent nearly two hours preparing their orders. They examined the documents, consulted Oswin, and questioned several witnesses again.

When they finally returned to the dais, Sir Reynald read their decisions aloud.

Edmund Fitzwalter was to remain under guard at his residence pending a formal investigation by the King's council.

His authority over Nottingham's garrison was suspended.

The Exchequer was ordered to produce the relevant warrant rolls, and the two London banking houses were required to provide records of the accounts identified in William's documents.

The proclamations against Thornby, Papplewick, Edwinstowe, and Blyth were stayed.

The confiscation of Locksley was placed under review. And William of Locksley's conviction was referred to the royal council for reexamination.

I glanced at Robin.

She sat very still.

Her hands were clasped tightly in her lap.