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The whole thing had been arranged in advance.

He'd chosen three people he knew I'd risk my life to rescue, announced exactly where they'd be, and sent them down a road where he expected me to appear.

The prisoners had never been the point.

I am.

Dusk had nearly settled over camp when the messenger arrived.

His horse came charging up the eastern path, sweating heavily, and I knew at once that something was wrong.

I didn't recognize the young man riding it.

He dismounted awkwardly, looking around at the faces gathering near the fire.

"I'm looking for the Ghost."

"You've found her."

His gaze moved over me, then toward the others.

"I'm sent by Hugh Reyner, lieutenant to the Sheriff of Nottingham."

My attention sharpened.

"He told me to give you something so you'd know he sent me. The sheriff released a cooper named Aldous from the cells four days ago. Signed the order himself and entered it into the castle daybook."

My chest tightened. "Go on."

The messenger swallowed.

"The sheriff was summoned to Lord Fitzwalter's private supper two nights ago. He entered his chambers at the eighth hour, and nobody's seen him leave."

I stepped closer.

"What else?"

"Yesterday morning, Fitzwalter's men took the keys to the sheriff's office. They've posted guards outside the muniment room, and Lieutenant Reyner was told the sheriff's confined to his chambers under the King's commission, pending an inquiry."

"What inquiry?"

"They're saying treason, my lady."

I felt the blood drain from my face. The messenger continued.

"Lieutenant Reyner says Fitzwalter controls the castle now, even if nobody's said it openly. He wanted you to know that."

He hesitated. "And there's something else."

"Tell me."

"He says Lord Fitzwalter keeps asking whether anyone's come."

I closed my eyes for a moment.

That bastard. Fitzwalter was waiting for me.

He'd arrested Guy, taken control of the castle, and arranged for three villagers to be transported through Sherwood on a road he knew I watched.