Two Crows Watch from the Gallows Tree

Ky and Tadaaki woke early. They usually did so they could be ready for whatever tasks Aleth had for them when he woke up — and last night had had the added uneasiness of wondering if a mere door could stop an angry Aleth. At least, both of them did get some sleep, however restless they both were.

Ky woke up before he did. She sat on her cot under her covers with them pulled all the way up to her neck, as if that could give her the comfort she longed for. She doubted anything could do that. She pulled up her sleeve and looked at the marks of Aleth’s fingernails on her wrist. She was so weak. She knew fully well that she was a mere day away from being free of him. Knew that she could physically overpower him just then if she wanted to. And yet she’d stood there and calmly took his abuse without so much as a whimper.

She looked over as Tadaaki sat up. He rubbed his face and looked at her then swung his legs over the edge of the bed, stood, and walked to her then gestured for her to move over. She scooted to the side and he sat down next to her, pulling the blanket over his legs as well.

“He was in Aleth’s room?” Tadaaki’s voice was barely more than a breath as he nodded as Ky’s wrist.

She nodded.

Tadaaki cringed and wrapped his arm around Ky’s shoulders. She gratefully leaned against his chest and tugged her sleeve down. She responded, just as quietly, “It’s not a big deal.”

“What happened?”

“Alexander asked me to help so he could go help her.” She nodded vaguely towards Lyra’s cot but didn’t look over. “Aleth woke up.” She shrugged. “I didn’t even try to stop him, Aaki. I’m such a coward.”

Lyra hadn't gotten much sleep in the night, but she had finally drifted off as the sun rose and as still asleep now. She was curled up tightly as she had been the day before.

Tomhas, the Barrasters, and Lord Tarr were all waiting for Aleth outside. A horse had been prepared for him as well as rations, and a military captain who would serve as the escort was already mounted on his own Iron-horse.

"Not a coward." Tadaaki took her wrist in his hand, so gentle where Aleth's had been so cruel. His hand was comically larger than hers, holding her palm and several inches of her wrist with ease. "Gentle."

Ky snorted.

"You could have overpowered him. You were the stronger person in that moment. But you didn't." He rested his chin on the top of her head, sighing softly. He wished there was something more he could do to console her than a simple hug and clumsy words. "You were gentle when you didn't have to be. You used your strength to be kind, instead of hurting him back, even though gods know he deserves it. There's nothing cowardly about choosing kindness when the option is given to you."

There was a low meow as a large Iron-cat leaped up beside them. She had a green wool sweater on and had long, luxurious metal fur. She blinked her dark, shining eyes at the pair for a moment, then began to knead the space in front of her.

Ky took her hand from Tadaaki and reached for the cat, gently pulling her into her lap and stroking her fur as she considered what Tadaaki said. She still wasn't sure what to make of Tadaaki's compliment. She didn't want to be gentle, she wanted to be strong. Brave. Bold.

"Gentle," Tadaaki murmured, nodding to the cat. "Years of Aleth, and yet it didn't make you cruel or harsh. Your heart is still as big and kind as it was the day I met you."

Ky's hand stopped mid-stroke. Maybe he was right. She didn't like that. "Gentleness doesn't help anyone."

"Gentleness helps everyone, Ky," Tadaaki murmured. "It's my favorite thing about you. You're so kind. To animals. To children. To me. You sacrifice yourself to help others, sometimes so much it concerns me."

Ky snorted but smiled crookedly, thinking of all the avoidable beatings she'd taken, just to distract Aleth from someone else.

"You're a beautiful soul, Ky." Tadaaki hesitated, then hugged her a bit tighter. "Kylia."

(My heart T_T)

The cat purred under Ky's hand, nuzzling her possessively.

"He can walk, right?" Tomhas murmured to Constance. "He should be here by now. We don't have time for dilly-dallying!"
"He was beaten pretty badly," Arianna pointed out, overhearing. "It makes sense it would take him longer to get moving."

(Haha my sap game strong sometimes ; ) )

“I’m glad I have you Aaki,” Ky murmured, not at all sure how to answer his compliment, but she leaned into him a bit. “I don’t know how you survived him so long.”

“I just decided I wouldn’t be like him. No matter what. I had to take it so that my daughter would be safe. I didn’t have to be cruel... though it did become easier once you got there to remember my humanity.”

“I couldn’t have survived him by myself.” Ky shook her head, shuddering a bit at the thought. The sole thing that kept her going was his kindness. “You’re so much stronger than me. But also so, so kind.”

Aleth spent his morning snarling at the servant sent to help him, and slowly, stiffly, made his way downstairs. He tried not to think of what was coming for him. Instead, he thought about how to get Ky away from Loquitur. That wasn’t a liability he was willing to leave behind. If he couldn’t have her, no one could.

"Could it be?" Tarr chuckled as Aleth made his appearance. "Is Master Klev under all that swelling? I thought I was looking at an inflated sheep bladder for a moment."
"Lay off him, Ithicus," Tomhas muttered, then smiled. "All set to go, Aleth? Your horse is ready and we have an escort to guide you to Serpent Keep." He hoped he would go without a fuss; things hadn't gone very well yesterday and Tomhas was fairly certain there would be a fight about Ky and Tadaaki.

Aleth gritted his teeth and sent Tarr a venomous glare, but didn’t risk a quip back just then. Gods knew he was too old to deal with another beating from the little prick. His gaze snapped around the area and he saw that his servants weren’t in sight. Because, of course, Loquitur would be trying to keep them away. “Where’s Ky?”

"No idea," Tomhas said smoothly. "Did you need her for something? I'll remind you that I'll be holding onto her and Tadaaki until your return. Insurance and all that. If you need her to bring something for you I can arrange for another servant to do it." There was no way Aleth was getting anywhere near Ky today, tomorrow, or ever again. Tomhas would see to that if he had to ram a sword through the bastard's chest.

“You can keep Tadaaki for your little leverage demand,” Aleth spat, locking eyes with him. He was a fool if he thought Aleth believed that he didn’t know where she was. “You can’t keep Ky. If you won’t send him with me, then you’ll kill him. Right now. He’s my slave and it’s within my right.”

"You're working for me," Tomhas reminded him, demeanor dropping several degrees. "I informed you yesterday morning that my terms were non-negotiable. They both stay with me."
"What little dignity you have left is draining rapidly," Constance said dryly, eyes on Aleth. "I would accept the terms and go, Klev."

“You said you want insurance,” Aleth said icily. “Tadaaki is adequate for that. I’m not a fool. I’m not leaving my secrets with you. Kill him.”

"What, in front of you?" Tomhas shook his head. "I don't give a damn about your secrets, Aleth. What use would they be to me? I'm a noble, not a petty criminal. Your dealings outside of this mission aren't my business and I have absolutely no motivation to sell your information to anyone. I'm rich enough."

Aleth sourly looked at each of them. Any one of them could toss him out of the gate by the scruff of his neck if they wanted to. “Then why would you possibly care if he’s alive or not? One less mouth to feed. Win-win.”