“Then separate them Abraxas!” William replied sharply to the younger knight. Meanwhile, Penelope suppressed a laugh at Abraxas’ worry over the bonding thieves. She glanced over at William and gave a small snort that he didn’t seem to detect as he focused back on the road. She was rather sure that poor Abraxas didn’t stand a chance against those two. 

Though, she didn’t know if she felt too happy about hearing Hartley and Crow beginning to get along. At best, she hoped Crow might be able to be a positive influence on the young thief. Maybe even get him to ease up on all the flirting he did if she was lucky. However, there was the fact that they were both thieves and likely finding common ground in that. While she respected and even understood Crow, Penelope didn’t quite completely support his career. She was still a knight after all and believed there were better ways to help out the kingdom. 

[i]But it’s just one aspect of a whole person...[/i] Penelope reminded herself. [i]Even though some people just focus on that one aspect...[/i]The knight glanced at William and frowned faintly to herself.  Had she not been constantly stuck with Crow, Penelope didn’t doubt that if given enough time and training that she would have ended up no better than William. It was taught to every knight that criminals were lower than dirt and a threat to everyday life. Penelope had never fully accepted that, she had a lot of questions about how criminals became criminals but never any answers. Like some of her fellow knights, she created a barrier between her and any rule breaker. That is, until she spent time with Crow. A small feeling a guilt washed over her as she recalled how she had acted at the beginning of their journey. 

“I swear...” William grumbled, breaking Penelope from her thoughts as he spoke about Abraxas. “That boy can be so incompetent sometimes..”

“Cut him some slack.” Penelope muttered. “He’s trustworthy in a fight... even if he is a bit air-headed at times.” 

“I guess.” William huffed. 

“William.. I’ve got a question.” Penelope announced. William side-glanced over at her. “Well what is it?” He asked.

“How do you think people become criminals?” She asked, earning herself a narrowed-eyed look from William. “Don’t look at me like I’m crazy. Think about it. All criminals have a starting point right?”

William groaned, not seeming very amused with Penelope’s question. “Yes, I suppose you’re right.. I don’t know how they start. Maybe it’s an adrenaline rush or something. Or maybe they’ve fooled themselves into thinking it’s their only option to survive. Either way, they break the law. They make a poor choice that effects good, hardworking citizens. They’ll always make some excuse for it of course. Blame the king or some noble. Point is, they put any blame on themselves.” He rambled off to Penelope. “A good liar can even convince themselves they’re not lying. And that’s something you should always keep in mind.”

“Right.” Penelope mumbled, barely even listening to the older knight. She had been hoping to hear some sort of small bit of sympathy or understanding from William but there was none. Her questioning only forced her to listen to some lecture about how terrible law-breakers were. She sighed and looked off in the distance as they traveled onward to the next town, yet another silence falling between the two knights.