Crow laughed softly when Penelope prodded him in the side. “What? I don’t think I’m [i]that[/i] heavy,” he teased, pressing a kiss to her cheek and pulling back from her so she could stand up.

“Actually, I can vouch for her,” Alistair shot him a mocking look. “Carrying your ass around while you were sick was exhausting.”

“That’s just because you’re so weak,” Crow casting his friend a wry smirk, standing up and stretching his arms as he got ready to go back to the sleeping area with Penelope.

“Hey, I’m the best fighter here, and you know it,” Alistair retorted with a snort.

“That doesn’t mean you’re the strongest,” Crow retorted cheekily. “I bet I could carry you if our roles were reversed.”

“That wouldn’t be a fair comparison. You’re taller than me,” Alistair stood up as well and crossed his arms.

“Not by much.”

“It still makes a difference.”

“Sounds like a cop out to me,” Crow said flippantly. “But that’s okay. I understand if you think I’d best you.”

“Those sound like fighting words,” Alistair grinned, cracking his knuckles eagerly.

“Do you two even know what time it is?” Rikki groaned suddenly and punched Alistair in the arm. “Crow and Penelope just traveled all the way from the inner kingdom. We should all get some sleep, and then you both can have your fight in the morning. Alright?”

“Fine,” Alistair sighed disappointedly, rubbing his arm where she’d hit him.

“I like that plan,” Crow agreed with another yawn. He reached for Penelope’s hand and walked after the others as they all made their way to the sleeping area. When they got there, he found that they’d set out an extra bedroll—it seemed Hartley had taken up his old one since he’d left—and gratefully laid down on it. He wrapped his arms around Penelope, holding her close to himself and settling down comfortably. Fleetingly, he realized this was likely the last night he would be spending in the company of the other thieves. It was a saddening thought, but he was too tired to dwell on it. After traveling for days, it didn’t take long before he began to drift off.

“Goodnight,” he murmured to Penelope as he slipped out of consciousness.