Page 35 of Oath of Rebellion

Ashur flushed and clenched his jaw, glancing away from Knox' heavy stare. He hadn't been as involved as he could have been, and Ashur had stepped up the past few months. Knox had given him the lead and watched and waited.

"Phase one was to following the tax collectors and stealing the money back from the king. Phase two of the plan was to slowly work our way around the kingdom robbing the rich. You jumped into phase two without permission or voting on the matter. My reports say you're doing well organizing the attacks and have stuck to our rules of only robbing the king's men or rich men, so that's good."

Knox narrowed his eyes, then turned his eye back to Ashur. "However, you should've come to me first. We should've put it to a vote first. Am I clear?"

His voice was soft but none of them could mistake the steel undertones. Ashur's jaw clenched and his back straightened. "Aye, master warden."

Knox sighed. "We're not simply thieves. We're here to chip away at the king's power so we can protect and provide for people. We don't rob from just anyone, regardless of what some of our people's former professions might've been. We have to be strategic. Don't forget the Robin's oath."

They all nodded, several putting their fist to their chest and bowing their head slightly. When they'd recovered enough from their wounds and had decided to stay, he'd made them all take the oath.

Knox sighed and rubbed his head under the hood. "Have you been turning the money over to John for inventory so he ensure it gets to right people in the local communities?"

Ashur spat on the ground and nodded. "Hells, Knox, you know we have. We gave our word."

Knox stroked his jaw, his five o'clock shadow already prominent even in the mid-morning sun. He wasn't sure how trustworthy the promises of criminals and deserters were, which is why he made sure upstanding soldiers always accompanied them.

But he did trust them. This part of gentle reprimand went a long way to keeping order in Vidrland with so many types of people.

Will murmured softly. "I'm sorry we started phase two without express permission, but the wedding will have a lot of wealthy nobles going to and from the summer palace. Robbing from the rich would then put pressure on the king to end the war, right? Isn't that our entire end goal?"

Others nodded, and Knox looked at him thoughtfully. He never wanted them to see him as a tyrant, so he said, "I see what you're saying, but it should be put to a vote for our people to decide. Let's vote tomorrow night. In the meantime, do you have a plan or an idea to pitch at the meeting?"

Will nodded and spoke soft and slow. Knox stroked his chin as he listened, nodding and asking questions here and there.

Knox had returned from Demerel with a cart and the donkey. He'd loaded up Olive's supplies, but he'd also worked to get three more prisoners out of the dungeons.

They had families and had simply been in the wrong place at the wrong time. Some noble had accused the three of robbing him simply because the noble didn't want to pay for the new clothing and shoes that he'd ordered.

He'd snuck them out of town on the cart too. They were busy repairing the clothing and shoes and tents in Vidrland but had begged him to go back to town and bring their families to the safety the forest provided.

He shook his head and rubbed his temples, careful to keep his hood up.

"You're right. Officially launching phase two and robbing the rich will help force the king's hand. With all the foreign dignitaries from neighboring nations and the nobles from the capitol coming for the wedding... it presents a great opportunity to rob the rich on the roads."

"What about robbing the wedding reception ball itself?" Will asked. Knox looked around and tried to get a feel for how the others felt about it.

"It will take stealth and a lot of planning. Several of us will need to dress as servants or nobles to get in. Others will need to stand guard. Those who go inside will need to make sure no harm befalls anyone."

Will asked, "Not even the king? It'll be a good opportunity to assassinate him."

Knox shook his head. "Other than being annoying by passing overbearing taxation on the people without their consent and prolonging a war no one wants, he hasn't done anything outright illegal. So no killing the king."

"He's killed plenty by sending them to a pointless war. This might be our best chance," Ashur said.

Knox held up a hand. "I said no. We will not vote on murder. However, I might have a better idea for the king that I think you'll like but let me think on it first. We will present it to the Robins tomorrow night and vote as a group. Then we'll need to prepare to be in Demerel at least the day before the wedding, prepare and plan. I'd like everyone to have eyes and ears open. No getting drunk from the festivities."

More groans from his men, but he knew they'd obey.

He paid his men well, but it wasn't bought loyalty that kept them with him and kept them silent. Only these half-dozen men even knew he was the one behind the Robins at all. Them, the dwarf John, and the two old druids, that is.

These had been with him the longest and were the ones he trusted. And they trusted him in return.

John was their steward. Every week, he did a random check of the records and the distribution of their contraband, reviewed the sales of goods and sent spies to confirm bits and pieces.

Everyone else in camp saw a man in all black with a black mask. It was as the Robin, the druid master warden protector of the forest, that he led them with speeches and worked alongside them to fell trees and even eat. The mask provided anonymity and gave the people someone to look up to without focusing on the flaws of humanity.

"Alright, take your goods to John for inventory and eat a good meal. Relax for the day and gather provisions. Then I'm going to send you each on another mission before the wedding. You can cast your vote before you leave on whether we're going to rob the rich on the roads or rob the wedding."

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