Crow nodded when Penelope said they should search Whitebridge first. His mind wandered back to the bag he had stowed away in his house in Myrefall, as he wondered if it would be wise to pick it up before they left. Both Aramoor and Whitebridge were quite a long way from the village—at least a full day’s walk, if not more. While the knights could get back to their camp easily enough, he would be far from where he had originally planned to sleep for the night. It would be easier to just set up camp somewhere in the village they were going to search rather than spend the whole night walking all the way back to Myrefall.

Having come to a decision, he listened in to the rest of the knights’ conversation. When Penelope suggested that the southern patrols might push the thieves north, he nodded in agreement. Jaxon’s thieves may have been ruthless, but they were no fools. If the nobles outnumbered them too heavily on the southern part of the border, they would have no choice but to find another route. After all, they could only kill so many knights before they began to lose members as well, and he knew Jaxon wouldn’t put them in such a position. The band leader seemed to consider his strength to be in his numbers, so he would want to avoid losing any if possible.

Thinking about Jaxon again, Crow wondered what he would do if or when they found him. After slipping out of the man’s group a year ago, he had made every effort to stay away from him. To purposefully go looking for him felt strange, and part of him was anxious about what the band leader’s reaction would be upon seeing him again. Jaxon wasn’t a man who took betrayal lightly. Whatever was going to happen, it couldn’t be good.

He blinked as he felt Penelope slip her hand into his and looked down to meet her gaze. “Almost,” he smiled, pushing his worrisome thoughts aside to focus on her instead. “But if we’re going to Whitebridge, I need to get something first.” He paused for a moment and then brightened slightly as an idea came to him. “Why don’t you come with me? With so many patrols around, I wouldn’t mind having an extra pair of eyes.”

“What’s so important that you have to get it right now?” Gavin frowned at him, seeming put off by the idea of the thief going anywhere alone with Penelope.

“Let’s see,” Crow looked up at the tree in exaggerated thoughtfulness, counting off on his fingers. “A bedroll, a water flask, some food, flint to start a fire…” He turned back to the knight with a cheeky smirk. “Relax, tough guy. I packed a bag earlier today just in case I’d need to set up camp. It’s not far from here, and it won’t take long to get.” He gave Penelope’s hand a tug. “Come on, love. Let’s get out of here before he finds a way to accuse me of killing someone with camping supplies.”