Crow leaned back in his chair, tipping it onto its back legs and rocking slightly, “M’glad you made me drink that ale, my man. It’s [i]amazing[/i]!”

“Guys!” Hartley slammed his hands on the table, wide eyed. “I have an idea. We should… we should go find those Brerra people and give em a what for.” He swung a fist in front of his face, as if fighting an invisible enemy.

“Calm down there, boy,” Malcolm held up his hands. “Yer too drunk to win a fight.” He stood up from the table, pounding his fist against his broad chest. “[i]I’ll[/i] be the one to show those assassinators who’s boss.”

“You guys do that,” Crow waved at them from his chair, which was now precariously unbalanced as he leaned further back. “I’ll stay here and… do something.” He prodded Hartley in the arm. “Bring me back a head. I wanna give it to the king as a gift.”

“Aye aye,” Hartley gave a drunken salute.

Crow looked up as Penelope and Lorelle returned from the other room. He blinked. Was it just his imagination, or did she look prettier than usual? He grinned as she approached, “Hey, beautiful. What brings you to our neck of the woods?”

“Hey,” Hartley glared at him. “You better not be hitting on my woman, Cadby.”

“She ain’t your woman, dumbass,” Crow growled, returning Hartley’s glare. “Go play with the other kids, and let the adults talk.”

“Say that to my face,” Hartley leaned closer, reaching to grab the collar of Crow’s tunic.

“I just did,” Crow snatched the boy’s shirt as well.

“Boys, boys,” Malcolm stepped over, putting a hand on each of their shoulders to shove them apart. “Don’t fight over a woman like that. It’s unseemly.” His bearded face suddenly took on a mischievous expression. “The real way to win a lady’s heart is on the battlefield.”

“I think that’s enough, dear,” Lorelle was next to intervene. She placed a hand on her husband’s chest, shooting Penelope an apologetic look. “Let’s give them time to relax and sober up.” With that, she led the burly man towards the stairs.

“You got lucky this time,” Hartley said as Penelope moved to help the two thieves get up from the table. “But next time, I’ll show you how much of a man I am!”

“I really don’t want to see that,” Crow wrinkled his nose.

“That’s not what I meant!” Hartley flushed.

Crow just shrugged in response, allowing Penelope to help him to his feet. He slung an arm across her shoulders and staggered slightly as they walked towards the other room. He enjoyed the feeling of her small body pressed up against his side. She was so fair. He wondered why he had never tried to be with her before, but as much as he wracked his brain, he couldn’t remember the answer. It was such a waste to be in the company of a beautiful woman and do nothing about it. He would have to change that.

Crow leaned down and whispered in Penelope’s ear, breathing softly against her, “You’re so gorgeous. Let’s ditch the kid and get out of here.” Leaning in a bit closer, he brushed his lips against the skin of her neck. “I could show you a good time, love. Come on. What do you say?”