—LITTLE JOHN The first rule of banditry that Will learned was you could lie in wait all day and not catch a single thing, which was why the really good bandits did the necessary legwork. That’s why Rob had sent Much into Nottingham to find a promising fellow—wealthy but not too well guarded. Sufficiently corrupt and deserving of a bit of a scare. The boy had come back with the tale of the pardoner. He was due to come along the South Road around midday, riding comfortably in a cushioned cart bought and paid for by the selling of indulgences to those who could barely afford bread. He was a wicked one, rolling into town crying about sin and hellfire, scaring every last soul till they couldn’t sleep at night for fear of demons and devils. Then he’d be waiting for all those sinners in the morning, offering confession, penance, and, most important, absolution. Everything for a price, and a hefty one at that. The churchman had done so well for himself that he could even afford the security of armed guards, reported Much.
