When Francis Swift was placed under house arrest in the castle by his father, Viscount Darlington, he said that he no longer wanted to live dependent on any nobleman. However, when he joins a gang of thieves organized by Isabel and Ferguson Congreve, he learns a shocking fact: the two leaders of the "Blackfriars" have dual identities.

As he wondered how Isabel and Isabel had managed to do this, the ambitions of his youth were crumbling little by little. On one occasion, he and the rest of his gang successfully ransacked a Catholic church in Westmoreland and found the two leaders who were about to return to Nottingham Castle.

Seeing that Ferguson was busy explaining something to the other two members, he walked up to Isabel and said, "Ma'am, I... I'll talk to you. ”

Isabel, who was still wearing a humanoid mask, said calmly: "Francis, no matter what you want to talk to me about, this is not the most suitable place. ”

"Ma'am, you mean...?"

"Go and bring your horses, we're going to leave Westmoreland in the shortest possible time."

"Yes, ma'am."

Under the cover of night, members of the Friars, carrying various church trophies, rode their horses in droves along the road leading to the secret camp. About an hour later, before arriving at the canyon called Tan Hill, which lies at the northern county boundary of Richmond County, only Francis, Isabel and Ferguson remained.

Seeing that the two leaders were slowing down the speed of the war horses, he also gradually tightened the reins in his hands. As he trotted off his horse and carried Francis on one side, the face looming under the hood of the monk's uniform turned to him and said, "Francis, we can rest here." ”

The trio rode to the canyon and found a piece of high ground suitable for rest. After dismounting, the three of them sat on the high ground and drank some water and wine, and ate some beef jerky to replenish their lost strength.

Later, Isabel, who had taken off her humanoid mask and hood and removed her longbow from her body, said calmly, "Francis, now you can talk to me. ”

Francis thought about it and said, "Ma'am, you know that I am the second son of the Swift family. So, apart from not being able to inherit titles and territories, I had to do something else. Ma'am, I'm talking about the jobs that are rising in the cities of the South. ”

Isabel nodded and said, "So, you plan to find yourself a satisfying job starting tomorrow?" ”

Ferguson, who was sitting on the side, smiled softly and said, "Ma'am, Lord Darlington's second son has finally grown up. ”

"No, ma'am, I would like to say that I thought I could earn myself enough money and knightly honor by my intellect and ability. But now ......"

"Now, you're still just a thief?"

"Yes, ma'am. No, ma'am. Today, I am still a noble child who needs to be dependent on the aristocracy to survive. ”

This time, instead of laughing, Ferguson observed his surroundings and cursed in a low voice: "Stupid noble son! ”

Isabel said thoughtfully, "I see. Francis, you're saying you don't want to live on the aristocracy anymore, do you? ”

Francis nodded and said, "Yes, ma'am." So, I found it hard to get used to a life where I had to rely on a noble lord during the day and become a thief with a real mask at night. ”

"This idiot goes around in circles more than a redhead. It seems that what he wants to talk about today is the dual identity of me and Ferguson. Isabel looked at the road in the canyon and said to herself.

Then, with a smile, he said: "Francis, which of the three classes appointed by God with their respective responsibilities, knights, clergy, and commoners, would you like to choose?" ”

"Ma'am, I would definitely choose the knight rank."

"Francis, I need you to think it hard before I answer."

Then Isabel added, "Listen, there's another precondition to my question. If you weren't the second son of Lord Darlington, but the second son of a poor tenant farmer in the plebeian rank, which rank would you choose? ”

Francis held a small piece of beef jerky in his hand and tore it little by little with his teeth. When he had completely eaten the small piece of beef jerky, he still didn't answer Isabelle's question.

Raising his head and looking at his female leader, he said, "Ma'am, I don't know, because I've never thought about it. ”

Isabel crooked the corners of her mouth and smiled softly, "Francis, when the little property of a tenant farmer is violated, he will naturally think of going to the nobles who own the territory and power. In any case, the nobility will provide personal protection and some help to anyone who is loyal to them. As for the clergy in the three ranks, do you think priests can do this? ”

Francis said with some understanding: "Ma'am, are you saying that dependence on the nobility is a natural law made by God?" ”

"No, it's the hierarchical concept and hierarchical order established by the supreme ruler of the entire kingdom. In this order, the three levels of responsibility are different but interdependent, and none of them can be done without one. ”

"Ma'am, this is probably from before the Tudors."

"That's right. However, here is the North, and there is a lot of things missing just as much as there are many industries missing from the South. ”

"Ma'am, I seem to understand what you mean. But what I don't understand is why the two completely opposite identities of 'duke's squire' and 'thief' can live your life without interfering with each other. ”

Isabel counted the time, and as she stood up, she said to Ferguson, "Sir, let's go." There is still a long way to go back to His Highness's castle. ”

After saying that, he turned to the viscount's second son and said, "Francis, you can try to think about it in connection with the work of 'thieves' and war. ”

The three of them rode their horses again and quickly crossed the canyon of Tan Mountain, and came to the outside of the village of Dornom on the other side of the canyon. With five miles to go to Nottingham Castle, Isabel said to Ferguson, "Sir it seems that the second son of the Lord will not leave without getting what he wants. ”

Ferguson glanced at Francis and snorted softly: "Boy, if you want to join the Duke, I can say a few good words for you in front of His Highness." ”

Francis politely said, "Thank you very much, sir." If there is a day, I will introduce myself to the Duke himself. ”

After Ferguson finished speaking, he rode his horse towards the castle alone. Francis Swift followed Isabel towards Asker's estate outside the castle and said apologetically, "I'm sorry, ma'am. I have no ill intentions, just an incredibleness for you and the Jazz. ”

Isabel rode on her horse and let the warhorse Onix trot slowly, "Before entering the canyon, do you have the answer to my last question?" ”

"I think in a way, the life of a thief is the life of a wartime."

"Francis, do you know why the Friars have targeted the Catholic Church and the private property of the nobility in every operation?"

"The Friars are an army of rebels against the Catholic aristocracy?"

"It's not just that, it's about getting rid of the spiritual bondage that Catholicism has on us."