As the group rode onward, Crow leaned against Penelope’s back, finding himself to be more relaxed in spite of his desire to stay alert. It was difficult for him to remember that they were still in danger while their surroundings were so peaceful. Besides, they had been travelling for a few days now, and no one had attacked them so far. He was beginning to wonder if the threat Aeklora had warned him about had backed off after all. It would be nice to make it all the way back to Brerra without any more hostile encounters.

[i]We should be alright for now,[/i] he thought, stifling a yawn. [i]Whoever is after us has had plenty of opportunities to strike, and yet there’s been nothing. What are the odds they’ll choose to ambush us now, in the middle of a town?[/i] Against his better judgement, he closed his eyes to relax as he pressed up to Penelope’s pleasantly warm body.

He didn’t move again until he noticed a change in the stallion’s stride. Blinking his eyes open, he saw that they had been slowed by a couple of travelers on horseback that were blocking most of the road ahead of them. Of course, William, being in a hurry, managed to make a path around them, passing the slow group with an irritated look.

As Crow and Penelope passed them as well to follow after their impatient comrade, the thief glanced subtly at the men. Both of them looked rather large, with muscular arms that were uncovered by sleeveless brown shirts and solid torsos that bulged beneath the fabric of their clothing. However, what unnerved him most about the two was how quiet they were. Neither one said anything to the three travelers passing them by, and they also refrained from speaking with each other.

He felt a wary chill creep up his spine as he recalled the mercenary that had attacked them before. [i]What if these guys are paid killers too?[/i] He frowned. [i]Maybe they aren’t talking because they speak that same foreign language and don’t want to give themselves away?[/i] His fears gave way slightly to confusion as the men fell slowly behind them. Even though they were suspicious looking, they weren’t making any moves to attack him or his companions. Perhaps they were just harmless travelers after all?

[color=fff79a][b]“Does something seem… off?”[/b][/color] Penelope’s hushed voice caught his attention. He turned to her, a bit more unnerved now that he knew she shared his discomfort.

“Yeah,” Crow nodded, speaking under his breath as he cast another furtive glance over his shoulder at the pair of strangers. “I don’t like how quiet they are. It’s almost as if they’re waiting for us to get out of earshot before they speak.” His hand inched down towards the bow that was hidden beneath the saddlebags on their horse. “I’ll feel better when they’re long behind us…”