Crow ran his hand down Penelope’s arm and gave her hand a swift squeeze before he headed out of the room to retrieve their horses and supplies. As he walked down the hallway, he was able to take notice of his other injuries. His lower back still hurt from falling off of the horse and being landed on by Penelope, and he wondered if he had thrown it out somehow. It wouldn’t have been surprising if he had, since it had been a pretty harsh fall. Additionally, the arrow wound in his thigh that had been healing well until now had started to hurt again after all of the running he had done during the battle. Along with the various bruises he had acquired, he was going to need some time to heal from it all.

[i]Maybe it wouldn’t hurt to pay a visit to Hazel when I get back,[/i] he thought, wincing as he arched his back to press a hand to the spot that ached. Evelyn’s daughter was the closest thing to a physician that the people of the outer villages had. If anyone could help him get better fast, it would be her. He just hoped she would be willing to treat him after everything that had happened between them in the past—She had wanted something serious while he had only been looking for a fling at the time. Ultimately, the miscommunication had caused for some hurt feelings on her end when he had moved on to the next village and left her behind.

[i]…Or maybe I’ll just see how I’m feeling first and hope I won’t need to bother her,[/i] he changed his mind as he imagined the discomfort of facing Hazel again after years of silence.

When he finally reached the stables, Crow waited until the other travelers that were already there left with their horses before he quickly retrieved the staff and bow from their hiding place behind the hay. He stowed the stolen items beneath the saddlebags on the stallion and led both of the animals out of the shelter by the reins. He brought them back around to the front of the inn, where Penelope and William were already outside waiting for him.

“About time,” William grumbled with his usual oh-so-pleasant demeanor.

“I had to wait out the other men who were getting their horses first,” Crow shrugged nonchalantly.

William just grunted in response and stepped forward to climb onto his mare’s back.

Crow shook his head and turned to Penelope, “Ready to go, love?”