As soon as the agreement left Penelope’s lips, Crow felt an immediate wave of relief wash over him. He was still disappointed that the only way he could see his companions was by parting ways with the person he most enjoyed talking with during the ride, but he was grateful that she was willing to go along with it. Besides, they [i]would [/i]be able to make up for lost time when he got back from Younis. It was only a two-week trip or so. Once the war was officially over, they would be able to spend more time together at the castle, and it wouldn’t even matter that they’d lost one day on their way to the border. They would survive being apart one more time. It wasn’t like they had never been separated before.

When she made it clear that this would have to count as his favor from their wager in Bellmare, the viceroy clicked his tongue. “I was hoping you wouldn’t remember that,” he sighed, though an amused smile played on his lip. “Pity. I was going to make you go skinny dipping in the river.” He winked at her jokingly. Of course, he wouldn’t have actually done anything that cruel, especially when the water would have been frigid at this time of year. He probably would have cashed in the favor for something simpler like a back massage or another trip to her hometown—to hear more embarrassing stories about her from Letitia, of course—but he couldn’t pass up the opportunity to rile her up a little.

With the dour mood lifted, at least for a while, the rest of the ride was more bearable to Crow. He passed the time by talking idly with Penelope and occasionally Preston, who kept pace on his other side. When they weren’t speaking, he looked over his surroundings, keeping watch for movement but also admiring the view. The ground beneath the trees was still covered with a thin layer of snow from the last storm, and he could see the tracks of wild animals like foxes and deer. At one point, he even caught sight of a herd of deer in the distance, which caused his thoughts to wander to venison and then to lunch. Naturally, he had to pester Otto with a request to stop, so they could eat, but the baron was determined to keep moving. They went back and forth for a few minutes until they agreed to slow their pace enough for everyone to have food while they rode. It wasn’t as relaxing as it would have been to stop and rest, but as long as his stomach was filled, the former thief couldn’t complain too much.

Eventually, they arrived at Wellspring, and Crow slid down from Baine’s back with a weary exhale. Otto and his son were already on their way to the inn to secure a room for the group, while Preston and Percival were gathering the horses to put up in the stables for the night. Naida stood nearby, practically swaying on her feet with exhaustion after spending the majority of the day bored as usual. “I never thought I’d say it, but being a guard at the castle is more interesting than being given an assignment,” she groaned.

“Really?” Crow casted her a bemused look. “when you’re guarding the castle aren’t you supposed to be standing watch all day, not talking to anyone like you are on this trip?”

“[i]Supposed to[/i],” his sister echoed, making quotations in the air with her fingers.

The viceroy smirked and rolled his eyes, turning to Penelope. “We got here pretty early. Maybe you’ll get your own bed this time.”