Crow nodded, feeling relieved to hear that he hadn’t passed out for very long. He didn’t want to leave the other thieves alone for too long, even if he couldn’t do much to help them. Between the four of them, he was the most skilled at eluding knights, so the least he could do was help them stay safe if they hadn’t been caught already. He swallowed nervously as the unwelcome image of his companions being cornered by a patrol entered his mind. Not knowing what had become of them or if they were even still alive, he wanted to start looking right away. He couldn’t wait around while there was still a chance that he could do something to help them get away from the knights.

He glanced back at Penelope as she announced that she would go with him. Shifting slightly, he thought about the repercussions that she might face if any of her comrades saw her out in the forest with him. He didn’t want her to risk getting caught if something went wrong. While she had made it perfectly clear that she planned to leave her life behind to be with him, he didn’t want to take her away from it until after the war was over. He knew she cared a lot about her position as a lieutenant, and with it, she had already able to do a lot of good for the villagers. If she lost that role now, she would no longer have the influence to help them or the people she cared about.

However, he also knew he was in no condition to run if he was spotted by a patrol alone.

“I’m okay,” he sighed. “I just stood up a little too fast.” To prove his point, he dropped his arm and took a step away from the boulder. Holding Penelope’s gaze, he smiled softly, “But… thanks. I’m glad you’re coming with me.” He leaned down to kiss her briefly in an expression of gratitude and then turned to take the lead, “Let’s go find the others.”