As he began fixing the rope around the horse’s torso, Crow listened in on Penelope and William’s conversation. By the rising anger in William’s voice, it sounded like the older knight was getting more anxious to get Penelope to come around to his way of thinking. He wasn’t surprised that William was so upset. It had to be pretty ground shaking for the knight to see his comrade in a romantic relationship with someone he considered to be of the lowest members of society.

However, just because he understood the knight’s frustration didn’t mean he was going to roll over and let William have his way in his and Penelope’s lives. The stubborn man was either going to have to learn to turn a blind eye or change his opinion of the thief if there was to be any peace among them.

When Penelope walked up to him, he reached to put an arm around her shoulders and pull her to his side in a half embrace. “I think so,” he said with a nod in response to her question. Pulling away from her again, he gave the rope a swift tug, checking to make sure it was secure, and then moved to grab the bow and staff that were lying against a tree. He slid both into place beneath the blanket on the stallion’s back, using the cord and the saddle belt to keep them from sliding around.

Once that was done, he took a step back to check his work from a distance. As expected, the ends of the bow and staff protruded from beneath the blanket, since they were too long to be fully covered. He hoped the saddlebags they added would be enough to keep anyone from noticing the extra cargo they were hiding.

He picked up one set of saddlebags and slung them over the animal’s back, fastening them securely around its belly as he had seen Penelope do with the saddle belt a few days ago. After making sure they were on tight enough to not move, he put the arrow quiver inside of the bag on the right side of the horse’s body, closing it up again so it was hidden from sight.

“What do you think?” Crow turned to Penelope, crossing his arms. “I know the bow and staff are still a little visible, but if you didn’t know they were there, do you think you would notice them?”

“Anyone with two good eyes and a brain would be able see what those are,” William grumbled, obviously still annoyed by the thief’s outburst.

“Well then, let’s just hope the knights of Younis are all one-eyed halfwits,” Crow shot him a glare. “Unless you have a better idea, keep your complaints to yourself.”

“That’s it,” William curled his lip and marched up to him angrily.

Crow tensed, ready to run if the knight swung at him, but William didn’t seem intent on starting a fight. The knight stood, eyeing him venomously and clenching his fists at his sides. “You had better watch yourself, [i]thief[/i],” he spat the word with as much hatred as he could muster. “Don’t forget: Now that the staff is in our hands, you’re no longer valuable to us. There’s no reason for me to keep you alive anymore.” He narrowed his eyes threateningly. “I’m done letting you off easy. You’re a criminal, and you will be treated as such, so stop demanding anything more than that. If you step out of line again—” he glanced towards Penelope, seeming to think something over before adding: “In fact, if [i]either[/i] of you steps out of line again, I will kill you where you stand, Lockton.”

Crow shifted his weight uncomfortably, not sure what to say. The spiteful side of him was tempted to dare the knight to try, but his logical side told him that he shouldn’t push his luck. So, he just held William’s gaze and said nothing.

William seemed to take his silence as a sign of compliance. “Good,” he stood up slightly straighter, seeming pleased to have reestablished his authority. “Now then, Penelope, come assist me in putting the saddlebags on my horse. I don’t want you near that manipulative bastard.”