Crow nodded thoughtfully as Penelope spoke about the Younisian people’s faith in their matron goddess. He agreed that it was odd how they believed she was looking out for all of them, but he had known a few people in the outer villages who held similar beliefs about some of the Brerratic gods. Perhaps Aeklora was one of the gods who held a stake in the mortal world somehow. If so, he wondered what she was trying to do by keeping the people of Younis safe from harm. What was so special about this kingdom that it could draw the attention of an immortal being?

He followed Penelope’s gaze as she pointed out the stable near the woods. “Looks promising,” he agreed. “We should take a break here until he leaves.” Setting down his bags, he sat down in the grass and leaned back against a tree trunk. He closed his eyes and exhaled slowly, letting go of the tension in his back that had built up after carrying so many supplies.

Thinking for a moment, he turned back to Penelope, “I’ve been working on the plan a little more since the last time I mentioned it to you, and I think I’ve come up with a way to give us an advantage.” He smirked and leaned forward, resting his arms on his knees. “Remember the henbane I found? I can turn it into a medicinal oil that will make anyone who eats it drowsy and delusional.

“If this palace is anything like the one in Brerra, the servants will prepare the food for everyone. And if the servants take you in, you should be staying in their quarters.” He paused, giving her a moment to see where he was going with his strategy, before he went on. “If I make a draught of henbane oil, you can sneak it into the food while you’re with them and poison the entire castle staff. Just make sure it stays out of whatever they prepare for the king. Members of royalty always have taste testers, and we don’t anyone to find out the food is contaminated until after it’s been served to everyone.

“Assuming that goes well, it shouldn’t be hard for me to get in,” he continued with a grin. “I’ll climb into the castle through one of the windows in the keep and meet you inside. All that’s left will be for us to steal the staff and get out.” He leaned back into the tree, pleased with his plan so far. “So, what do you think?”