The following day, Crow continued to spend most of his time alone and away from the camp. With Simon and Hazel enjoying their time together as newlyweds, and Rikki trying to get physical with him every time he was around Alistair, he had become a bit edged out of the group. After growing used to their company, he felt slighted by the sudden change and had to remind himself that it was probably for the best that he couldn’t spend as much time with them. He was going to leave them all behind to be with Penelope after the war anyway, so it would be better for him to start distancing himself early on.

Lost in thought, he ambled aimlessly through the forest to the east of the thieves’ camp. Despite what he tried to tell himself, he still wished he hadn’t been pushed out this early. It had only been three days, yet he already missed the way they all used to live together so peacefully. Now, anytime he tried to spend time with them, he was either paid little attention or paid too much by Rikki. He let out his breath in a quiet exhale, rounding a fallen tree in the woods. When he had gotten back together with Penelope, he hadn’t expected his other relationships to get so complicated. He had been so focused on his excitement to be with her again that he hadn’t thought much about it. He hoped the war would end quickly, so he could put all of this complexity behind him.

As the sun dipped lower in the sky, Crow turned around to head back to the camp for dinner. He had conflicting feelings about spending the evening with his companions, but his empty stomach was enough to convince him to endure their company at least long enough to eat. It would only be a short period of time, after all. He just had to sit with them until he finished his food, and then he could part ways again. How hard could it be?

When he arrived back in the camp, he found that Simon and Hazel were already waiting by the fire. Alistair and Rikki were nowhere to be seen, which he guessed meant one of them had gone out in search of the other. Relaxing slightly now that he knew Rikki wasn’t around to smother him, he took a seat across from the others. “So, what have you two been up to all day?” he asked, hoping to distract them from asking him the same question.

“Simon’s been helping me collect herbs,” Hazel answered, turning to her new husband with a fond smile. “Now that we’ve found the cure to that disease of yours, I intend to start treating the villagers in Myrefall.”

“That’s great,” Crow said, feeling a wave of relief that they were finally going to put an end to the illness that had been taking the lives of the people in his home village for decades.

“Speaking of which,” Hazel turned towards him again with a curious look in her eye. “I haven’t asked you how you’ve been doing in a while, huh?”

“To be fair, I think you had other things on your mind,” Crow smirked at her amusedly. “But I’m alright.” He leaned back on the palms of his hands. “Not much has changed. I had another coughing fit earlier today while I was on a walk, but it wasn’t too terrible. I think there might have even been less blood this time.”

“Good,” Hazel said, seeming pleased.

“Do you think you’ll be able to fully resume your duties as our leader soon?” Simon inquired. “I’d like to step down from the ones I’ve taken over, so I’ll have more time to help Hazel with the villagers.”

“I can resume tomorrow,” Crow nodded. “Thank you for taking over for me, by the way. Alistair and Rikki need someone to keep them under control.”

“Of course,” Simon shrugged. “Someone had to do it, and I’m the most capable amongst the three of us.”

“You can say that again,” Hazel snorted, her blue eyes wandering to the cave entrance as Alistair and Rikki stepped inside, laughing loudly about something the others had missed. “I wouldn’t trust either of them to lead a half-witted donkey, let alone a whole band of thieves.”

Crow eyed her with a smirk, “Interesting. Does that mean you trust me?”

“I suppose,” the herbalist said reluctantly, lacing her fingers with Simon’s. “I still think my husband would make the best leader of the four of you, but I will admit you have some talent as well.” She casted him a wry look. “…Even if that talent is wasted on a reckless braggart of a criminal.”

“Ouch,” Crow said dryly. “And here I thought we were finally starting to get along.”

“I’m just being honest,” Hazel shrugged airily. “Everyone knows you were arrested because you don’t know when to stop running your mouth.”

“That was then,” Crow rolled his eyes. “I’ve learned my lesson.”

“I hope so. That pride of yours was your biggest weakness.”

“Oh, don’t misunderstand; I still think I’m the most talented thief in Brerra. I just meant I’ve learned to keep it to myself,” he shot her a sly wink.

“You’re incorrigible,” Hazel scoffed.

“I prefer to think of it as self-aware,” he grinned at her haughtily.

They continued to banter casually as Alistair and Rikki sat down to join them for dinner. Once everyone was present, Crow fixed a plate for himself and began to eat, occasionally checking the light level outside since tonight was the night he was supposed to meet up with Penelope again. He had told his companions about it this time, since she would be bringing him word of when the next battle would be. Simon and Alistair were a bit surprised to learn that he was going to keep seeing the knight after they had separated for a month—at least, as far as they were aware—but fortunately, neither of them questioned him much about it. He guessed they would be content as long as he kept bringing them news about the war.

When the time finally came for him to leave, Crow stood up and gathered his things, arming himself with his daggers and throwing his cloak over his shoulders. Even though he wouldn’t be going far from the camp this time, he still wanted to be prepared on the off chance a lucky knight wandered close enough to see him.

Once he was ready to go, he said a quick goodbye to the others and headed to the clearing to meet with Penelope. His heart beat excitedly with anticipation at seeing her again, and it didn’t take long before he reached the designated spot. Of course, he was the first to arrive, so he leaned back against a tree and looked up patiently at the night sky as he waited for her to appear.