Page 49 of Kings of Sherwood

“Oh, yeah, yeah, I can,” he says quickly. “Totally.”

“Excellent.” Rob points at Tuck. “You’ve just earned yourself an apprenticeship with the office of the exchequer.”

If Tuck is annoyed to be saddled with a helper, he hides it well. “Hope you like spreadsheets,” he says. “And data validation.”

Rob, meanwhile, nods at LJ. “As for you, Big Guy, you’re coming with me. Gonna case the usual joints, take stock of their...stock. Just like old times. But with a lower profile, I guess.”

“I’m taking the bike,” LJ says.

“Did you hear what I just said?” Rob replies. “Low profile. You can’t take the bike.”

LJ makes a grunt of disagreement.

“Nah, he’s right, you can’t.”

All eyes in the room turn to Nick.

“Excuse me?” LJ says, in the same tone you might sayyou have made a grave mistakewhile cracking your knuckles.

“Um.” Nick swallows hard. “Just, uh, the roads are washed out? From the rain?” He bobs his head up and down. “I had to leave my truck way back at the edge of the forest and hoof it in last night. S’a mess.”

“You walked all the way here?” Rob lifts an eyebrow, impressed.

Nick stares at the table. “Uh. Yeah. No big deal.”

“Fine,” LJ says. “So howarewe gonna get into town?”

Rob chuckles. “Oh, please.”

And he disappears.

Or no, not disappears. Shifts. Where a moment ago was the laid-back, lanky human that is Rob Locksley, now there is a wiry fox the color of a sunset and the size of a baby Great Dane.

And then, just as fast, Rob reappears.

“Holy shit,” Nick says. “Holy fucking. Did he just—you—” He swivels around, looking wildly in every direction, then back at Rob. “Dude!” He claps a hand over his eyes. “Your dick is like...out.”

Will absolutely loses his shit laughing.

Tuck laughs, too, and I snicker a little as Rob pulls his pants back on.

“Do I make myself clear?” he says, grinning. “We’re all-terrain vehicles, my friend. We’ll figure it out.”

LJ just rolls his eyes, even though I can see the hint of a smile on his lips. “Fine. Garage, in ten.” He gets up and strides out the door, not waiting for an answer.

Rob sighs. “Does leadership not mean anything to you people anymore?” But he doesn’t protest.

Nick, meanwhile, is still bugging his eyes back and forth at each of us in turn.

“They can...do that,” I say to him. “And I guess they like using it for shock value.”

Will catches his breath, and when he does, glances at Nick, too. “You gonna make it?”

“Uh.” Nick freezes. Then nods. “Yeah. I think.”

“Great,” Rob interjects, buttoning his shirt. “And you, my friend...” He looks at Will.

“Me?” Will presses a hand to his chest. “Whatever could you have in store for me?”

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