The final leg of their journey passed by, for the most part, in tense silence. Aside from looking out for night guards, Crow spent the time imagining different possible scenarios that they might encounter once they were within the walls of the castle and how he would handle them. He had hoped that by doing so, he would feel more prepared for the mission, but instead the thoughts just made him more aware of the countless unknowns they were going to face. His mind raced with unhelpful anticipation of situations he couldn’t even begin to prepare for.

Most prominent of all was the legend of the staff.

His heart fluttered nervously at the thought of it. It was something he had continuously heard about since the day they had left for the trip, and it was the one thing he could do nothing to change. If the legend was just a rumor, he was working himself up for nothing. But if it was true… well, he was no king. The realization that he may have been about to give up his own life for a piece of wood made his chest feel tight.

[i]I’m doing this to stop a war,[/i] he looked up at the night sky, silently pleading to the gods. [i]Surely you would agree that this is for the best. I don’t ask for much, but I’d like to live through this palace raid… so maybe don’t smite me just this once? Please?[/i]

--

When they finally arrived at the castle gate, the sun had just begun to peek over the eastern horizon. Crow hid with Penelope behind a wall of the nearest noble estate, just out of sight of the Younisian guards near the entrance. He squeezed her hand, suddenly finding it difficult to let her go. [i]We have to part,[/i] he reminded himself. [i]We have to stick to the plan.[/i]

He turned to Penelope, offering a halfhearted smile, “Well, this is it. Give them a good show for me.” He averted his gaze for a moment, forcing down the anxiety that rose up in his chest. She would be fine. Her initial role was the least dangerous between the two of them. As long as the servants believed her story, she would be taken into their protection. Everything would go according to plan.

Still, he didn’t like the idea of sending her in alone.

In a burst of affection, Crow wrapped his arms around Penelope in an embrace, holding her close to himself, and pressed a passionate kiss to her lips. They stayed like that for a long moment before he pulled back to meet her gaze, “I love you, and I’ll see you again at nightfall.”