Crow set the freshly washed dishes aside and sat back on the river bank, unrolling his shirt sleeves that he had hiked up to keep from getting wet. He brushed his hands off on his pant legs to dry them and then leaned back on his palms, looking up at the night sky. The time was now close when he was supposed to meet with Jaxon, but he was more reluctant to go than ever. After seeing the recently widowed Hazel again, he was reminded of just how cruel of a man the other thief could be.

He despised the fact that he had gotten roped into working for someone so merciless, and he wished he could think of a way to get out of it before someone else got hurt. Unfortunately, no ideas came to mind. Anything he tried would ultimately just get shut down by the other man, and he would just end up getting Penelope killed in the process. The only way to keep her safe was to continue complying with the thief leader’s demands and hope he didn’t ask him to do anything that went against his morals.

Having come to reluctant terms with the meeting, he climbed slowly to his feet and picked up the drying dishes. After taking a brief detour to drop them off in the hideout behind the waterfall, he headed eastward to Myrefall, where Jaxon was likely waiting for him by now.

--

The trip there was uneventful of course. Like before, there were no patrols in the area, so Crow was able to walk without keeping his guard raised excessively high. He glanced around occasionally for signs of movement, but there never was any, so instead of focusing on his surroundings, he let his mind wander as he tried to predict what Jaxon might ask him to do this time. He hoped there would be no new demands—he didn’t know if he could bring himself to do it if the other thief told him to take any innocent lives—but having worked beneath the ruthless criminal before, he knew better than to expect that.

As he approached the small clearing on the western side of the village, he caught sight of a lone figure standing with his back resting leisurely against a tree. He took a steeling breath, quickly recognizing the man to be Jaxon, and stopped on the other side of the space to put as much distance between them as possible.

“Just as I was starting to think you wouldn’t show up,” Jaxon smiled at him in a chillingly unemotional manner. He studied Crow for a moment before gesturing with one hand. “Come closer. I won’t bite.”

“Maybe not, but you certainly aren’t afraid to cut,” Crow retorted dryly, lifting the sleeve of his shirt to reveal the bandages around his forearm.

“That wasn’t my fault,” Jaxon shrugged apathetically. “That was merely a punishment for a disobedient pet. Speaking of which…” His smile was replaced with a look of concern that disgusted Crow in its fakeness. “Are you feeling any better? I do hope you’re healing properly.”

“Save it,” Crow scoffed, letting his sleeve fall down over the bandages again. “I know you couldn’t care less if I lose this arm.”

Suddenly, Jaxon’s soft expression was replaced with a flash of annoyance. “You would do well to watch that sharp tongue of yours,” he warned in a threateningly quiet voice. “Otherwise you may just find that you [i]will[/i] lose that arm.”

Crow shifted his weight, feeling like he was staring down a venomous snake that was poised to strike at any moment. He wasn’t sure what to say in response to the threat, so instead, he chose to keep his mouth shut so as not to prod at the other man any further. Fortunately, his lack of response seemed to have been deemed acceptable by the other thief, whose fake smile had appeared once again.

“That’s better,” Jaxon purred, stepping away from the tree to stand upright. “Now then, enough with the formalities. Tell me what you’ve learned since our last meeting.”

Crow hesitated briefly, hating how easily the murderous thief could control him, before he finally forced himself to reply. “The patrol that went to Wheldrake never found out where you are,” he reported, feeling sick with his own compliance. “My plan to throw them off didn’t go exactly as I’d hoped, but it still worked well enough to keep them from finding any real leads. I’d estimate that I bought you at least a week before they try to continue the search.”

“Good news indeed,” Jaxon’s smile widened into a grin. “And they still don’t know that you’re working for me, I hope?”

Crow wavered for a moment before nodding, “They don’t.”

“What was that?” Jaxon narrowed his eyes slightly.

“What do you mean?” Crow shifted his weight again.

“You hesitated,” Jaxon’s voice was edged with impatience. “Do they or do they not know that you are working for me?” He rested a hand on the hilt of his sword. “I’m sure you haven’t forgotten what’s going to happen if you let the knights find out.”

Crow’s eyes flickered cautiously to the weapon before returning to the thief’s face. “They really don’t know,” he answered quickly. “I swear to you, I haven’t told anyone, and no one has found out to my knowledge. It’s just…” He trailed off, reluctant to tell Jaxon the truth.

“It’s just what?” the thief prompted.

“Well… there’s one knight who’s suspicious,” he admitted slowly. “But he already had preconceptions about me. He has no proof that I’m working for you, and I intend to keep it that way.”

“Hm,” Jaxon grunted, folding his arms loosely over his chest. “If this knight becomes a problem, I can always take care of him for you. That’s part of the benefit of being part of my group.” He shot Crow a friendly simper. “I always protect my own. Just say the word, and he’s gone.”

“No,” Crow shook his head. “I don’t want any more killing. I’ve got the situation under control, so there’s no need for such measures.”

“If you insist,” Jaxon shrugged. “But if anything changes or if this knight becomes too much for you to handle alone, I will take matters into my own hands. Do you understand that?”

Crow nodded wordlessly, feeling a lump form in his throat at the thought of Jaxon sending one of his killers to dispatch Gavin. He may not have liked the knight, but he didn’t want to see the man die.

“Good,” Jaxon said curtly. “If that’s all you have for me, then I’ll be going.” He took a step to leave, but then stopped as Crow interrupted.

“Wait,” he said quickly. “I just have one more subject I’d like to discuss.”

“And what might that be?” Jaxon frowned, studying him closely.

“The upcoming raid,” Crow lowered his gaze uncomfortably. “I remember you mentioned it the last time we spoke. When it happens… I need you to promise me that you won’t hurt Penelope.” He looked up again to meet Jaxon’s dark eyes with new determination. “I don’t care what happens to anyone else as long as you can guarantee that she’ll be safe. Can you do that?”

Jaxon stared at him for a moment before a low chuckle escaped his lips. “I hardly think you’re in any position to be making demands of me, stray,” he laughed with a shake of his head. “But alright. For the sake of our alliance, I suppose I can tell my men to leave her out of it if they see her during the raid. Are you happy now?”

“Yes,” Crow let out his breath in relief.

“Good,” Jaxon’s Cheshire smile returned once more. “I will meet with you here again in one week’s time. Goodbye, Crow.” With that, he disappeared from the clearing, leaving the other thief behind.

As soon as he had gone, Crow felt his shoulders relax as his tension lifted. The situation certainly wasn’t ideal, but at least it hadn’t gone as badly as he had been expecting. Jaxon hadn’t made any absurd demands of him, and he had even promised not to hurt Penelope during their next raid. As far as meetings with killers could go, this was one of the best outcome he could have hoped for. Feeling slightly reassured, he turned to head back to his own camp, ready to settle down and get some sleep for the night as his weariness began to weigh down on him.