“Are you sure you want to trust me with a watch?” Crow gave her an amused smirk. “I’ve never kept watch before, so I’d probably just fall asleep.” He turned to look at the town that was just visible through the tree line. “Hopefully we can find somewhere to take shelter for the night in town, so we won’t have to find out if I have the willpower to stay awake.” [i]And we won’t risk getting caught in another storm,[/i] he added silently with a sidelong glance at Penelope. The weather last night had sprung on them out of nowhere, so even though the skies were clear now, there was no telling what would happen by nightfall.

Though he was concerned for Penelope’s wellbeing, the rain worried him for another reason as well. From his experience in Brerra, the best way to get inside of a castle without being seen was through a window… which required intensive climbing. It was already going to be hard enough for him to scale the curtain wall when he was out of practice. If the stone was slick with water, it would be damn near impossible. He gazed up at the palace in the distance, hoping the good weather would stick around until after they finished the mission.

After they had covered a respectable distance, Penelope suggested they stop so he could practice his archery some more. He nodded and followed her into the clearing, setting his bags down beneath a tree and stretching his back to loosen up his travel-weary muscles. When he felt ready, he slung the quiver over his shoulder again and picked up the bow, joining her by the tree she had marked.

“I think so,” Crow said when she asked if he remembered the correct posture. He aligned himself sideways with the target and planted his feet shoulder-width apart. “This feels right,” he met her gaze once more and grinned. “I’m ready to try again.”