Crow looked up when he heard the sound of approaching footsteps. The man that he had previously taken to be the leader of the group had returned, accompanied by a blonde woman. The thief raised a brow when he recognized her as the same noble who had attacked him and Penelope by the pond. He looked her over curiously. By the way she carried herself, there was no doubt in his mind that she was the real leader here, but he also remembered that she wasn’t a Younisian either. So why did she care about their quest to steal the staff? It didn’t seem like it would affect her in any way.

[color=fff79a][b]“It’s you again,”[/b][/color] Penelope seemed to have recognized the woman as well.

[color=fdc68a][b]“Of course,”[/b][/color] the blonde said. [color=fdc68a][b]“Did you think you could just knock me over the head and get away with it?”[/b][/color] She turned to glare at Crow with her last words.

“My apologies, darling,” Crow held his hands up in a helpless shrug. “I can’t help that I make women swoon at my touch.”

[color=fff79a][b]“I’m assuming we’re not just here because a petty thief knocked you out cold?”[/b][/color] Penelope said, ignoring the thief’s comment. [color=fff79a][b]“If we are, I think you might have some anger issues.”[/b][/color]

The noblewoman and the knights went on speaking, and Crow listened in silence. What the blonde woman said made sense; if there was to be a war, the king would be distracted and vulnerable to an attack from inside the border. For a moment, the thief almost found himself sympathetic to their plot. He hated the king. The man was completely oblivious to the suffering of the peasants in his kingdom—all of whom made up the majority of the population—and he was greedier than any bandit Crow had ever met. He would have liked to see some new leadership installed in the throne.

However, this woman didn’t seem like the right person to take the current king’s place.

By the end of the conversation, Crow knew one thing for certain: he was expendable to her. She could use the knights for information, but what was there to gain from, as Penelope put it, ‘a petty thief?’ As things stood right now, there was nothing stopping the nobles from killing him off. He shifted uncomfortably, trying to think of something he could use as leverage, and then froze as he was struck with an idea. Everyone here, except perhaps for Penelope, thought he was a snake. Maybe he could use their misguided impression to his advantage.

“As I said before,” Crow looked up at the noblewoman with newfound interest. “I’m the most useful person here. Sure, these knights can give you battle strategies and money—and that’s only if they’re willing—but I can get you inside the palace.” He smirked slyly when he saw a hint of curiosity in the blonde’s eyes. “You know, I think you’re right. The king’s been in power for far too long now. It’s time for some changes around here.” He tilted his chin up, meeting the noblewoman’s gaze evenly. “I’ve seen the effects of his tyranny firsthand, so I want to help you overthrow him. Of course, I don’t offer my services for free. I’m a renowned criminal; my assistance is worth more than a few copper coins. If I help you get rid of the king, I want something in return.”

“You viper,” William spat, glaring at Crow with as much hatred as he could muster.

“So, what do you say?” the thief went on, ignoring the knight’s outburst. “I’m willing to negotiate if you are.”