Compared to the night before, Crow was in a much better mood about tracking down Jaxon’s group today. He was still nervous about facing the thieves, since he knew how bloodthirsty they could be, but it had finally struck him that in helping the knights capture their attackers, he would get to spend quite a bit more time with Penelope. He was excited to be able to see her outside of their late night meetings. Besides, he was probably worrying for nothing. They had survived murderous men before—a few such foreign mercenaries came to mind—so he was a bit more confident that they would be able to do it again.

The only downside was that he had to spend more time with Gavin. He wished there was a way to lose the persistent knight, but he couldn’t think of an easy way to get him to leave, especially after Penelope explained that her baroness had only allowed them to leave in a group of three. If the knights’ leaders didn’t let them leave alone, then he supposed Gavin’s company wasn’t as bad as a knight he didn’t already know. At least this way, he and Penelope didn’t have to hide their relationship like they had when William had been traveling with them two years ago in Younis.

Crow glanced up at Olivia with a bemused smile when she said she had been chosen to go with them because none of the other knights would work with a thief. Of all the nobles who could have joined them, he was glad she was the one to do so. While he wasn’t very close with the wily knight, he found her antics entertaining and got along with her well enough. He had no qualms with working alongside her to catch the band of thieves.

[color=fff79a][b]“So, what’s our first move?”[/b][/color] Penelope’s voice caught his attention and he turned back to her with a thoughtful expression.

“Honestly, I’m not sure,” he shook his head. “I’ve never been on this side of the chase before, so this is all new to me.” He paused, folding his arms across his chest as he pondered over the question. His eyes wandered to Olivia and Gavin as another thought crossed his mind. In order to hunt down Jaxon’s group most effectively, he was going to have to give away a few trade secrets. He didn’t like the idea of doing that in front of them. He trusted Penelope to keep everything he said between them, but he didn’t know either of the others well enough to believe they would do the same—especially Gavin.

Crow shifted his weight, eyeing the man with distrust. “I actually have a few ideas,” he started slowly. “But before I say anything, I’m going to need you all to promise me that what I tell you doesn’t leave this group.” While his words were directed at all of the knights, his eyes never left Gavin’s face. “Is that clear?”