Crow watched the exchange between William and Penelope with interest. The older knight was acting like he didn’t understand why the thief preferred her, but Crow knew he was just trying to save face. William would never admit his method of handling criminals was inferior to someone else’s. He shifted his weight on the branch so he was laying down on his stomach as he continued to observe the knights below him.

Eventually William left with Hartley, leaving Penelope to talk to Crow alone. He grinned down at her when she said he was giving William a heart attack. “Eye for an eye, darling,” he said, casually dangling one arm over the edge of the branch. “I’m just returning the favor for yesterday.” He pushed himself to his knees and stood up, balancing steadily as he leaned against the trunk of the tree. “Although I suppose I can give him a break, since I said I’d come down when you got back.”

He hopped down to branch a little farther down the tree, landing smoothly before he continued working his way from bough to bough. Climbing back to the ground was its own type of thrill. It wasn’t as strenuous as going up, since he wasn’t fighting against his own weight, but he still had to be careful about finding sure footing. This time, he practiced his speed, shifting his weight back and forth as he maneuvered effortlessly to the branch he had use to hoist himself up in the beginning.

When he reached the branch, he used one arm to swing himself out of the tree, touching down lightly on the forest floor. He couldn’t help showing off a little bit in front of Penelope. He dusted himself off and walked with her back towards the wagon, “Since you’re back so soon, I take it your trip to the town was uneventful?”

Up ahead, he saw William frowning at a map in Abraxas’s hands. They talked quietly amongst themselves for a moment before the older knight turned to address Penelope, “From here on out, we’ll be travelling through Younisian towns, so you and Abraxas will be switching places.” His lip curled of its own accord, as he was clearly upset about the situation. “Since we’re leaving the forest behind, we’ll be staying in the local inns, which means…” he turned to Crow and Hartley unhappily. “You two must arrange our stays.”

“Are you saying you need me?” Crow said, his eyes wide in mock astonishment.

“You have one job to do for the next few days,” William muttered sourly. “Don’t push your luck, and don’t mess it up, thief.” He walked back to his horse, muttering about inconveniences under his breath.

“I bet he’s regretting not learning the accent now,” Crow nudged Penelope. He took up his position in the wagon bed once again, pleased with how things were turning out.