“It doesn’t matter,” Crow shrugged. “I can always steal something from Abraxas’s plate when he isn’t looking.” He followed Penelope as she headed for the door. Instantly, they were confronted by William on the other side. The knight must have woken up at some time during the night. His eyes flicked down to Crow’s wrists and he glared. The thief held up his hands in an innocent shrug. What did William have to be mad about? He was still here.

The knight didn’t seem to appreciate his gesture. He stormed towards Crow with a furious look on his face, [color=fdc68a][b]“Where in the world did you run off to?!”[/b][/color]

Crow took a step back, ready to duck aside if the knight made an attempt to grab at him, but instead Penelope intercepted William’s advance and actually [i]defended[/i] him. Crow watched her with interest. She actually cared about how her companions treated him? Maybe his plan to woo her had been working after all, even if he wasn’t quite sure how. Since the attack, he had forgotten about the plan, yet it was then that the knight had become friendliest towards him. Perhaps she had mistaken his casual joking for flirting? Or maybe he had done something else that he just couldn’t remember. Well, whatever it was, it seemed to have worked.

[color=fff79a][b]“I’m going to go get my armor and sword.”[/b][/color] Penelope said. [color=fff79a][b]“I’ll be back down soon,”[/b][/color] She stepped around William to go back to their room, leaving Crow alone with the knights. There was a short moment of silence before he spoke up as well, “I’ll just… go help her get her things.” He hurried to pass them by, but William caught him by the arm before he had a chance to get away.

“Not so fast, thief,” he growled. “You’re not off the hook just yet.” He lowered his voice in a threatening manner. “I don’t know what you’re trying to pull, but just know this: I’ll be keeping a close eye on you. If you try [i]anything[/i] that looks suspicious, I have a spare set of chains with your name on them.”

“How is helping a lady with her armor suspicious?” Crow indignantly tugged his arm out of the knight’s grasp.

“Why would you be interested in doing a thing like that?” William challenged. “You criminals only act when there is something to gain for yourselves.”

[i]My ‘gain’ would be getting away from you,[/i] Crow silently admitted, but he met William’s icy glare. “I was merely trying to be courteous,” he said snidely. “I may be a criminal, but I seem to have a greater sense of chivalry than either of you two knights.”

“Bite your tongue,” William hissed, reaching towards his sword.

“U-um, sir,” Abraxas stammered, worriedly eyeing his companion’s hand. “The king said we can’t hurt him, remember?” He glanced up at Crow. “If he wants to act like a servant, then why stop him? Err… I mean, Penelope can take care of herself. She’ll keep him from causing trouble if he tries to start anything.”

“Fine,” William grumbled reluctantly. He took his hand away from his sword hilt, but didn’t relax. “If you want to play servant boy to us, then go ahead. Just remember that I’m watching you, thief.”

“Oh, don’t worry,” Crow rolled his eyes as he stepped around the knights. “I’m well aware.” He hurried past them to catch up with Penelope, eager to get away from William’s hot temper. Abraxas had proven to be slightly more likeable company, but he was still too much of a follower for Crow’s taste. He had barely even managed to speak out when William was threatening to attack him! If he had to be guarded by any of them, he much preferred the female knight.

“Quick, look like you’re mad at me,” Crow whispered when he caught up with Penelope. “I think William would like it.” He smirked at her playfully. “Do you think you could get away with it if you delayed going back to them? I want to give him some time to forget why he hates me right now so he doesn’t do anything rash… like make us skip breakfast.”