Shady

"You're not respecting her if you 'disagree with what she is'," Aeron scoffed. "That's disrespectful as fuck."

"I have no idea, sir," Kaelan said honestly. "I'm sorry. I've never actually met either of them."

"About once a year or so, he goes for two or three more villages, depending on their size," Kaelan said. "Takes all the kids twelve to fifteen... ish. It's not ...

"Doesn't make him wrong." She shrugged. "And it's his brother; he knows what Tomhas would like."

"Mm."

"Gaius thinks it's a bad idea," she said grimly. "I shouldn't get him one."

"...A lot," Kaelan admitted, shaking his head. "I'm not sure. Maybe a hundred? I really don't know."

"From our township?" Kaelan asked, thinking about it. "...Maybe sixteen?" He'd have to think about it, he never actually counted.

Aeron snorted. "Shouldn't you try to learn about things before you decide whether you want to oppose it?"

Ky shrugged.

Kaelan nodded dumbly, unable to think of how to respond to that. What was she like these days? Would she remember him? Would she still care?

"I mean..." He shrugged. "Most people have something they believe in, I reckon. I can't speak for all fae; they're not a monolith."

"Oh." Ky hadn't expected the twins to be coming. Then again, she hadn't expected Gaius, either. She nodded. "Okay." She turned down the hall.

Kaelan's shoulder's slumped, big tough soldier boy persona forgotten. He felt weak with this revelation, like Ash had ripped a rug out from under him. "Ky's here ?"

"The trolls?" Aeron thought for a moment. "Dunno." He shrugged. "Maybe. But I doubt it."