Much hit cobblestone, rolled, came up grinning.

  The grove provided decent cover. Branches formed a canopy over the old courtyard, and te afternoon sun filtered through in golden patches. From here he could see Jack's compound wall, forty feet of stone with wards.

  He bundled his chute and shoved it behind a tree. The rune-stone came out of his harness warm, already humming with stored magic. Much knelt, pced it on the cobblestones, and pressed his thumb to the activation rune.

  The air in front of him rippled, distorted, then tore open.

  The portal expanded, a circur hole about eight feet across, level with the ground. Through it, Much could see the saucer's interior: carpeted floor, brass rails, the Merry Men ready to move.

  Little John came through first, stepping onto the cobblestones. The big man scanned the area.

  "Still alive," John rumbled. "Surprising."

  "You doubted me?"

  "Hmm."

  Will Scarlet stepped through next, already checking the shadows. "Nice spot."

  "Didn't have time to break out the good China," Much said with a smirk.

  "That's what worries us," Friar Tuck said, coming through with more caution than the others.

  An, David, and Arthur followed. Robin came through st, eyes finding Much immediately, scanning him for injuries before checking the grove and the compound wall.

  "Good work," Robin said.

  Little John cpped a hand on Much's shoulder hard enough to rattle his teeth. "You crazy bastard."

  It was said with affection.

  "Sounds about right," Much grinned wide.

  "One of these days you're gonna sptter," Will said.

  "Not today."

  "Not today," John agreed.

  Movement caught Much's attention. Big Bad Wolf stepped out from between the trees, still wearing those ridiculous silver and gold robes. The twelve princes appeared behind him.

  "Nice jump," Big Bad said, his voice sounding impressed. "You are one crazy dude."

  Much gave an exaggerated bow. "It's never too much. That's what I do."

  "That took stones," Big Bad said.

  Phillip, the eldest prince, nodded. "We watched from the pza. Thought you weren't going to pull the chute."

  "Thought about it," Much admitted.

  The portal shimmered. Roslyn stepped through.

  She had her red cloak pulled back, tactical gear visible underneath. Weapons, armor. She looked at Much and smiled.

  "Good job," she said. "Check your texts."

  Then she winked.

  Much fumbled for his phone and opened the message.

  The image made him grin so wide his face hurt. Roslyn's bare ass, photographed to show off every curve. Below it: *Told you. Not paralyzed = reward.*

  Much looked up and caught her eye across the grove. She raised one eyebrow.

  "Motivation received," he mouthed. "Looking forward to it."

  Little John gnced over Much's shoulder, saw the screen, and snorted. "Don't get yourself killed chasing tail."

  Much looked at him. "I will stop doing it when you stop."

  Little John grinned. "Stop chasing booty for what?"

  "Exactly."

  Robin's voice cut through the banter. "Enough."

  Everyone went quiet.

  Robin moved to the front of his team. "Big Bad. Status?"

  "Distraction worked better than expected," the Wolf said. "Drew half the pza into the parade. We moved through the merchant district, got close to the compound before breaking off." He paused. "But there's a complication. Something's happening in the northern district. Guards are distracted, patrols being redirected. I can hear guns and screams in the distance. Sounds like an attack."

  Robin's eyes narrowed. "An attack?"

  "Sounds like it. But the timing's convenient."

  "Too convenient," Roslyn said.

  "Someone else making a move on Jack?" Robin asked.

  "Or on the city," Big Bad said. "Either way, it's more noise. More distraction."

  Robin pondered for a bit. "We use it. We're committed. Get the harp, get out. Whatever's north isn't our problem unless it becomes our problem."

  "Agreed," Big Bad said.

  Robin turned to the princes. "Perimeter?"

  Phillip stepped forward. "Eight points of coverage. Overpping fields of fire. Anyone comes at you from outside, we'll know before they get close."

  "Good." Robin looked at his team. "John, Will, Tuck, An, Much, Roslyn, the rest of you with me. We go in over the wall. Friar Tuck handles the main wards, move to the target. David, Arthur, you guard the portal. It's our exit. If it closes, we're trapped."

  Both men nodded.

  Robin looked at Big Bad. "You and the princes hold the perimeter. Anyone comes, you dey them. Don't engage unless necessary. We want to be ghosts tonight."

  "Understood."

  The princes reached into their robes and started pulling out weapons. Much watched them produce rifles, crossbows, an enchanted sword from the dimensional pouches strapped to their belts. Standard gear.

  Then their robes changed. The silver and gold fabric rippled and shifted, colors bleeding into shadow and stone and tree bark. Camoufge enchantments activating. Within seconds the princes were fading into the background, dispersing to their positions around the compound.

  Big Bad watched them go, then looked back at Robin. "Get that harp and get out fast. I don't like this northern district situation. Feels wrong."

  "Noted," Robin said.

  The Wolf nodded once, then turned and disappeared into the trees, his robe shifting into camoufge.

  The infiltration team moved toward the compound wall. Much gnced back once. Roslyn was adjusting her gear, checking her weapons. David and Arthur were taking up positions near the portal.