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"Everyone had questions."

We held our first proper meeting inside Locksley Hall. Or rather, inside the half that still had a roof. A fire burned in the enormous stone fireplace, although the chimney hadn't been used in six years and filled the room with enough smoke to make several people cough.

Thirty-one of us gathered there.

That was the largest our Sherwood band had ever been.

I'd never seen all of us together inside a building before.

It felt strange.

I stood near the hearth with the royal documents in my hands.

First, I explained the pardons.

I told everyone exactly who was covered, which offenses remained under review, and what conditions the Crown had imposed. Three members had older accusations that required separate hearings.

Two faced serious charges. I didn't pretend those cases would be easy. Then I looked around the room.

"There's something else."

Little John folded his arms.

I gestured toward the windows.

"Four thousand acres." Several people glanced outside. "Every bit of it neglected for six years."

Merry grinned. "Sounds like a terrible investment."

"It probably is."

A few people laughed.

"But there's work here for anyone who wants it. Proper wages. Housing. A chance to build something."

I looked around. "We need a hedger, a mason, stablehands, field workers, and someone who understands drainage."

Little John raised his eyebrows. "I know at least eleven people in this room who could do those jobs better than anyone Fitzwalter ever employed."

I took a breath. "But if you want to go home, then go home."

The room grew quiet.

"Some of you have families you haven't seen in years. Others have places you've wanted to return to."

I smiled. "Nobody owes me another six years."

Nine of them decided to leave. Eight had families living within a day's ride. Two had children they hadn't lived with since the first winter.

I helped them pack and sent them with glad tidings. Then I went into the stables and cried where nobody could see me.

The rest chose to stay. Little John appointed himself steward. He did this by picking up the assessor's four-page list and reading it aloud, stopping every few lines to complain about the condition of the estate.

By the time he finished, I was happy to give him the position. Merry wanted control of the stables. She also proposed opening a riding and archery school.

Village children would learn first.

Wealthy families could pay for lessons afterward.