Crow laughed when Penelope became flustered and tried to justify her actions, “Is that so? Well, maybe you knights should take a hint from us ‘criminals.’ You wouldn’t have lasted until morning if you had stayed to fight with no armor and only a small dagger to defend yourself. Disagree with me if you like, but I think even the most cold-blooded warrior would have reason to turn tail and flee in a situation like that.”

As they rounded the last corner, Crow could see William standing with Abraxas right where he had left them. The former had his typical irritable look plastered on his face, and he glared at the thief the instant he came into view, [color=fdc68a][b]“It’s about time.”[/b][/color]

“It looks like she didn’t need my help, after all,” Crow threw the knight a lopsided smile and held out his hands in a shrug.

“Let’s head out,” William said to the others, ignoring the thief once again. “We need to reach the next designated inn by nightfall. If all goes well, we should make it to the bordering villages before tomorrow ends.” With that, he turned and started walking towards the exit. Crow followed after him, grinning to himself in unchecked excitement. In less than two days, he would be rid of these knights. He knew the outer villages well, so he would have no trouble slipping away when he found an opportunity to do so. It was only a matter of time now.

When everyone was outside, William sent Abraxas to fetch the horses and the wagon from the stables, where everything had been guarded by the local knights overnight. While they waited, Crow sat down on the ground and began stretching out his limbs. William gave him an estranged look, to which the thief indignantly replied, “Thievery requires limberness. Do you want me to steal the king his staff or not?” The knight just rolled his eyes, but Crow didn’t care what he thought as long as he bought the excuse. With the date of his escape looming so close, it was time he started preparing for it more seriously.