Holy Warrior

Alan has just returned to Robin of Locksley's castle with a sealed note from King Richard.  While waiting for Robin, Alan falls asleep and is attacked, the attacker thinking Alan is Robin.  It is learned that there is a 100 pound bounty on Robin's head, posted by Sir Ralph Murdac, former Sheriff of Nottingham.  He is now in the company of Prince John, brother to King Richard.

In need of funds for his commitment to King Richard's crusade, Robin and Alan travel to York to borrow money from Reuben, a Jewish money lender and friend of Robin's.  While in that city a crowd threatens the Jewish population.  They retreat to the King's tower where Robin organises them to defend themselves.  Unfortunately the Jews in the tower decided to commit suicide, only Robin, Alan and Reuben made their escape.

We next find Robin and his followers on their way to The Holy Land.  An attempt is made on Robin's life by placing an adder in his bed.  Later they join King Richard in Messina, where a third attempt is made on Robin's life.  How can they go about finding the assassin?  Unfortunately, Alan would suffer a severe attack, which puts his life in jeopardy while fighting the Cypriots.  He would lie in a coma for a long time while the crusaders attacked Acre.  Another attempt has been made on Robin's life in Acre.  Alan has his suspicions, but doesn't want to commit himself to wild speculation.

Robin returns to banditry in The a Holy Land to finance his crusade, while King Richard kills almost three thousand Saracens because Saladin refused to pay a ransom.  Things are really turning ugly for Alan.  However, now the crusade advances on Jerusalem.

Will the crusaders survive the trek to Jerusalem or will Saladin's army destroy them enroute?  Author Angus Donald has based this second novel of Robin Hood on actual historical events.  It is a very good read for fans of historical fiction.