Chapter Twenty-Eight 

Mr. Hollywood made a motion, and all at once his men lowered their swords. Melinda nodded at Renly, who looked to James then to the men.

"Put your swords away for now, lads. They may see use yet," Renly said.

"Are you all right? Did they hurt you?"

James looked stunned. Hadn't anyone ever asked him how he was after a fight? It made Melinda sad.

"I am well, my lady."

She saw the corner of his mouth twitch. He was happy to see her, or thought she looked ridiculous leaning on a sword. She'd go with happy to see her.

The masked man stepped forward, making her an exaggerated bow.

"Who is this vision of loveliness?"

Melinda heard James make some kind of growly sound as she rolled her eyes. She no longer cared for men spouting flowery compliments. No, she liked a certain grumpy knight who, when he smiled, lit up the entire room. When she looked at James, he was wearing his "I am a warrior" look. Renly stepped forward so she could step behind him if trouble broke out.

"We are here to negotiate the release of Lord Falconburg." He looked to Melinda and nodded. "Allow me to present Lady Merriweather."

"You may call me John."

The man looked her over. She saw lively brown eyes through the mask. He had blond hair down to his shoulders. There were many women back in Holden Beach who paid lots of money every month for hair like his. He looked like some kind of movie star playing at being Robin Hood in the woods. And before she met James, she would've been all about a guy as good-looking as him.

Not now. Now she liked a certain man who wore his scars on the outside. Everyone bore scars. Who cared if they showed?

"What will you trade, lady?"

"Trade?"

John sat down on a wooden bench. Everyone else followed his lead. So, she was to negotiate for James' release. Fine. Mr. Hollywood was about to find out just how good she was at negotiating.

As she walked to sit across from the man, she whispered to Renly, "I've got this."

He inclined his head. "As you wish."

Before sitting down, Melinda made a show of walking around James, looking him over.

"Have you damaged him in any way? I expect to get him back in the same condition as when he left."

"He is better, lady. My healer has given him herbs to heal his injuries. He is now more valuable."

They went back and forth, discussing James as if he were a nice piece of antique furniture. She made sure to keep her most skeptical look plastered on her face. She peeked at James out of the corner of her eye. He seemed to be amused. Time to wrap this up and get back on the road.

"I suppose you usually accept gold?"

"Gold will suffice."

Melinda lifted her necklace out from under the dress, pulled it over her head, and held it up to the light. The gems sparkled. She knew that look. He wanted the necklace.

"The necklace is made of gold. There is an emerald, a diamond, a sapphire, and a gold charm in the form of the unicorn. Unicorns are powerful. The necklace has been blessed and will bring the wearer great fortune and luck."

She crossed her fingers behind her back. Technically it had been blessed. Aunt Pittypat wore it when she attended mass over Easter in St. Peter's Square several years ago. The Pope gave his blessing, so the necklace was blessed. As to bringing good fortune… Well, it had brought her back to the past to find Lucy and meet James, hadn't it? She thought a little white lie wouldn't hurt in this particular situation.

John held out his hand.

"May I see the necklace?"

She handed him the only thing she had left of Aunt Pittypat. As he examined the necklace, she looked around the camp. Looked like the Robin Hood myth was still going strong. The women and children looked happy. Everyone had a task. And while it was probably a hard life, not to mention a dangerous one robbing and ransoming people, Melinda thought everyone acted like they were content.

She made sure not to pay too much attention to James. After all, you weren't supposed to show too much interest in the item you wanted. A woman wearing a purple cloak came forward. Her long silver hair was braided down her back. And while her face was full of wrinkles, her eyes were full of intelligence. She held out a hand.

"Let me examine this charmed necklace."

John handed it over without hesitation. He saw her looking at the woman.

"My healer. She helped Lord Falconburg."

The woman examined the necklace, murmuring and talking softly to herself. She looked at Melinda with a shrewd eye.

"You have traveled a great distance."

Melinda snorted. What was next? For her to meet someone tall, dark, and handsome? A giggle escaped. For she had met tall, dark, and handsome. He was the captive whose release she was working to secure.

The woman touched each gem and charm, holding them in her palm. She handed the necklace back to the masked man.

"The lady does not lie. The piece is powerful."

Good. Maybe she could get James and get out of here. The sooner they left, the sooner they could be on their way to Blackford.

"I will accept the necklace in trade…only if you, and you alone, carry Lord Falconburg out of my wood."