Penelope felt a bit guilty sending over Abraxas as her replacement. She knew the knight wouldn’t trust Crow with the same liberties she did. None of the other knights would since all they knew was a criminal. [i]He doesn’t lie as much as they think..[/i] She thought to herself as she quietly aided William. At least Abraxas wouldn’t be as bad a the older knight. 

“You must have finally cracked huh?” William’s voice interrupted her thoughts. She blinked and looked over at the older knight. “What?”

“I mean you’re finally so sick of that thief you’re avoiding guarding him.” William stated. The female knight merely shrugged. “I just needed a small break from him. He’s quite easy to guard but the talking gets a bit much.” Penelope mumbled. 

“Well, I wish I could say Abraxas could take over your duties completely but since we’re in Younis, you’ll have to stay back in the wagon with him. They’d probably think it strange to see a woman driving a wagon with a knight riding besides.” William said before giving Penelope a look of pity. 

“I’ll manage.” Penelope said with a shrug. She was partly hoping to take over Abraxas’ position at the front of the wagon just to put some distance between her and Crow. It was a sensible move but not something she actually wanted to do. If she went solely based on her feelings, she would continued to stay close to Crow but that was a dangerous option. Love between a knight and thief was surely unheard of. 

[i]But father fell for a peasant...[/i] A hopeful voice in the back of her mind said. It was a true reminder but it made her wonder. Her father had been shunned by the family for years and was forced to the outer villages. Because of her mother, her father had lost nearly everything. Penelope wondered for the first time if he regretted meeting her mother. Their love had brought a lot of disgrace to the Vermillion family and her existence was part of that disgrace. She frowned to herself. [i]I can’t disgrace my family again....[/i] Penelope decided, choosing to ignore her own feelings as well as Crow’s. The two could remain as friends but nothing more. She could help but feel hurt by her own decision.

“Looks like we’re ready to move out.” William announced. Penelope nodded and went to relieve Abraxas from guarding Crow. When she saw the knight standing and watching him so rigidly, she nearly laughed. It seemed quite ridiculous and she knew Crow must be plenty annoyed. She quickly sent Abraxas on his way and climbed up into the wagon. Penelope was about to take her usual seat near Crow but one look at his face and she quickly realized she couldn’t. Her heart race anxiously once again and she moved to the sit in the furthest corner from Crow. Penelope lowered her gaze feeling guilty for having to avoid him.