“Completely oblivious,” Crow nodded. “I’m shocked he’s lasted this long as a thief when he can’t tell if he’s being watched. I know I would have died a long time ago if I was as absentminded as he is.” He popped a bite of pescods into his mouth. “The boy’s lucky Younisian knights don’t seem to know how to deal with thieves like they do in Brerra.” [i]If he had tried becoming a thief in Brerra, he would have gotten himself killed in less than a week,[/i] he poked at the remaining food on his plate thoughtfully. [i]Although he probably never would have tried if he had been born in the outer villages like me. Brerratic peasants would never disown a child for something so petty as losing an apprenticeship.[/i]

[color=fff79a][b]“I hope she accepts him,”[/b][/color] Penelope’s soft voice drew Crow from his thoughts. [color=fff79a][b]“The poor kid has enough problems with his family. Last thing he needs is to be rejected just because he’s a thief.”[/b][/color]

Crow turned to her in surprise, not expecting to hear something like that come out of her mouth. He wondered how long she had felt that way. [i]Does she feel the same way towards me—that my choice to be a thief doesn’t mean I should be rejected?[/i] His heart fluttered in his chest at the thought of asking her. However, another thought tugged at the back of his mind that kept his lips sealed. [i]It’s not the same. She’s a knight and a noblewoman. Kip is a peasant. Even though Hartley is a thief, he’s part of the same social class as she is. Still...[/i] He smiled. Knowing Penelope didn’t think criminals like them deserved an unhappy life pleased him.

He blinked, realizing he had been staring at Penelope for a while. “Right,” he said, averting his gaze in a clumsy attempt to cover his mistake. “I don’t think she’s going to reject him. With the way she was staring just now, it looks to me like she’s been waiting for this moment for a long time.” [i]At least one of us can have what he wants,[/i] he thought with a pang of sadness. Having finished his food, he rested his elbow on the table, propping his chin in his hand as he watched the two interact from a distance.

After a bit, Hartley came back over with Kip in tow. He stopped by the table and held out his hand, beaming from ear to ear, “I’d like you both to meet Kip Fletcher. Kip, this is Penelope and Crow.” He gestured to each in turn.

“Nice to meet you both,” Kip bowed her head politely.

“The pleasure is ours,” Crow grinned and stood from the table. He stepped over to take the girl’s hand in greeting. “Crow Lockton, renowned thief and Hartley’s favorite traveling companion.”

“A thief?” Kip met Hartley’s gaze with wide eyes.

“Don’t worry,” Hartley said with an edge of nervousness. “He’s harmless. Hey, you know what? You should talk to Penelope. I’m sure you’ll both get along fantastically.” He ushered her to the female knight and spun on Crow with a glare. “Can you please downplay the thief talk?”

“And do what?” Crow rolled his eyes. “Lie to her? Look, I won’t mention that you’re a thief too, but she’s going to find out sooner or later.”

“No she won’t,” Hartley lowered his gaze. “Because I’m not going to tell her.”

“That’s not going to turn out well,” Crow knit his brow.

“She doesn’t have to know, because we’re leaving tomorrow morning anyway.”

“I get it now,” Crow narrowed his eyes at the boy. “You’re running away because you’re scared she’s going to reject you.”

“I’m not running,” Hartley snapped quietly. “We already planned to leave. Besides,” he shuffled his feet uncomfortably. “It wouldn’t matter anyway. I have no place trying to court her again. I’m a criminal with no job and no prospect of getting one. Even if she wasn’t bothered by that, which would be shocking, I couldn’t bring her into that life with me—not when she still has a chance to end up with a man who will treat her right.”

Crow quieted. Everything Hartley was saying reminded him painfully of his own situation with Penelope. He wanted to get closer to her, but he knew he could never give her the life that a nobleman could provide. It wasn’t fair of him to drag her down into the life of a fugitive when she could have so much more than that. And that was assuming she would want anything to do with him to begin with.

“See?” Hartley murmured. “You know I’m right. I have to leave and—Ouch!” he grimaced as Crow smacked the back of his head.

“It doesn’t matter,” the thief said sharply. “None of that matters. Do you see any other suitors hanging around her? No, of course not. Why do you think that is?”

“I don’t know,” Hartley said slowly, shifting his weight.

“Yes, you do,” Crow hit him again. “Think about it, kid. She’s a beautiful young woman of marrying age, without a single man to court her. Do you understand what I’m saying?” When Hartley just stared at him blankly, Crow shook his head. “Moron, she’s been waiting for [i]you[/i].”

“[i]Me[/i]?” Hartley’s eyes widened.

“Yes,” Crow rolled his eyes. “Now if you squander this opportunity the gods have blessed you with, so help me, I’m going to beat you senseless on behalf of all the thieves who wish they could be as lucky as you.”

“But what if she does reject me because I’m a thief?” Hartley said nervously.

“You’ll never find out if you don’t talk to her about it.”

“You’re right,” Hartley said, taking a steeling breath. “I’ll tell her tonight.”

“Atta boy,” Crow grinned in spite of the sinking feeling in his own heart. [i]If only it were so easy for me to do the same.[/i] Olivia’s words came back to haunt him once more. [i]But a thief and a knight can never be together…[/i]