Crow continued to gaze up at the castle as they walked, taking in as much as he could from a distance. Since they were still outside and far away, there wasn’t much he could glean from looking at the outer walls, but that didn’t mean he would learn nothing. 

From what he could see, it looked like the Younisian castle wasn’t all that different from the one in Brerra. The corners of the curtain wall were mounted with crenellations, where archers likely stood guard at all hours. Additionally, he could see faint lines in various places along the wall that he guessed were arrow loops. More archers might be stationed there as well, but he doubted it. If the Younisian castle was like Brerra is the way it was defended, those arrow loops would remain unmanned unless someone raised an alarm.

His eyes followed the edge of the curtain wall to the barbican at the gate, which would also be protected by archers on its towers and guards on the ground. He couldn’t see much else from his current vantage point, but he could guess that there would be a courtyard between the barbican and the keep. He smiled. The castle was extremely well protected, but its defenses weren’t designed to keep out a thief such as himself. One way or another, he would find a way inside.

He glanced back at Penelope when she said he should keep working on his archery later that day. “Hopefully I’ll be able to practice more this time,” he nodded. “I think the cut in my hand has healed enough that it won’t reopen from using the bow again.” Holding up his right hand, he looked over the bandage that adorned his palm. Even after sparring, it was still clear with no spots of blood to be seen. He assumed that was a good sign that he was recovering well.

[color=fff79a][b]“Speaking of the day’s end, is the plan to try and find another stable?”[/b][/color] Penelope’s concerned voice drew him from his thoughts.

“It’s either that or camping outside,” Crow shrugged. “It’s probably safer to risk the stables when we’re this close to the castle. I don’t know about you, but I’d rather not get caught by a lucky patrol of knights while I’m sleeping.”