“You be careful, all right?” said Thomas. “The last thing I need is to have to go rescue you lot.”
“We will,” promised George. “You, too.”
They split up. Thomas and Eileen headed to the students’ barracks. Thomas argued with the guards at the door, but they wouldn’t let him in. It wasn’t until the arrival of one of Richard’s knights with a message setting the students free that the guards opened the door and left. Thomas stepped in, Eileen beside him, closing the door to keep the cold out.
Mark turned first to the door. “Thomas!” he cried, bringing all those who could walk to their feet. “What’s going on? Why are we locked in here?”
“Stupidity,” said Thomas, “now resolved. The door is open, the guards are gone, and the lords that I had you guarding are now under arrest.”
“What for?” d
