Two Crows Watch from the Gallows Tree

(Sure, that works! Would you mind starting that?)

(Sure!)

(Great!)

Pratik took full advantage of the next few days. He'd been serious when he said he wasn't going to help once the soldiers got here. But, he had effectively handicapped their forces. The southern forces came first, presumably at the agreed-upon time. It was bloody, but Veryl's troops managed to fend them off.

A few pods trickled in later in the afternoon -- others the day after. One pod was missing, and Pratik convinced Veryl to send soldiers after them so they couldn't get back to Loquitur.

Pratik meanwhile helped himself to generous helpings of warm food and long hours lounging in his soft, warm bed. If he was to go back to being all but a prisoner kept under lock and key, he was going to do it after he'd satiated himself here.

He decided he'd head out the next morning to go back to Serpent's Keep.

Chrenko had proven to be as good as his word in the situation at Veryl's estate, from what the reeve said in his letters to Gaius. Gaius was pleased; he'd taken an uncharacteristic risk in letting a mercenary do such a job and it had turned out quite well.
The only question was what Chrenko's intentions truly were. Gaius wasn't willing to rule out the possibility that the man was working for Tomhas and was merely trying to gain his trust. He would offer more freedom than before when Chrenko returned, but he'd keep some watchers out of sight to make sure there was nothing overly suspicious going on. In the meantime he would await a reply from his source in Wolf Keep; Chrenko had mentioned Tomhas had hired someone and Gaius wanted to confirm exactly who it was and how concerned he should be.

(do you want me to just make up a random mercenary that Loquitur hired? Like would he do that? I forgot I mentioned one haha)

It was a long trip to make in one day, but Pratik would rather exhaust himself and his horse over having to spend a night out in the cold. He'd intentionally packed light so he wouldn't have things weighing him down on the way here, but the cold didn't mix with no tent.

He started before sunrise and kept a moderate pace the whole day, this time taking brief walking breaks, but got to Serpent's Keep just after sundown, chilled to the bone.

(Tomhas has a trusted mercenary on his payroll that nobody really knows about. Oddly enough this guy is on the Ash family tree. His name is Arthur Brown.)

The entire family had sat down to dinner when he arrived. The guards let him in and notified Gaius, who gave permission for Pratik to enter the Keep for the first time and join them at the table. Mattathias and Marcella exchanged eager glances at the prospect of seeing one of their father's hired men. Sara and Sera both maintained an indifferent expression.

(Ahhh cool! You chill with me having Pratik rat Arthur out?)

Children made Pratik uneasy. In his line of work, everyone was an asset. Someone who could be bribed, threatened, or killed. Or at least be the pressure point of someone who could be.

He didn’t like children being implicated in that. He’d once kidnapped a child for ransom — hadn’t even hurt her. Her cries the few hours she was in his care had plagued him with so much guilt he hadn’t slept for a full week after. No more.

Pratik bowed politely as he entered the room. “Your lordship.”

(Sure!)

Gaius dipped his head but didn't rise. "Welcome back, Master Chrenko. I trust your journey wasn't too hard?" His children didn't speak; Regulus was only just learning words and was preoccupied with chewing on Sara's hair, and Mattathias and Marcella were simply staring at Pratik with open mouths. Sera watched Pratik warily while Sara merely looked on with guarded interest.

“Not at all.” Pratik offered a small smile. He still couldn’t feel his fingers. But he’d surrendered his weapons — except for the dagger on his arm — and his coat. “It’s nice to be back.”

That was an overstatement as well. He’d been escorted here under armed guards. But, he was pleasantly surprised that he’d been allowed into the keep. And even to meet the family. This was a good sign.

"Please, sit and eat your fill." Gaius gestured to a chair a few seats away from where Sara sat. He was always strategic about seating; his sons and daughter were always between him and Sara or Sera, and the aforementioned ladies were on the outer seats relative to where he sat at the head of the table. His mother, before her death six years ago, had occupied the place where Marcella now sat at his left.

“Thank you.” Pratik took the seat he gestured at and served himself food, looking around the table as he studied each of the people. Apparently the woman in the barracks hadn’t been the lady of the keep. Good thing he hadn’t slipped up. “I trust things have been well here?”

"Well enough." Gaius watched as Pratik took stock of his family. "There's a war on, of course, but it's been quiet. Did you have any slip-ups at Veryl's?"
"Eat, dear," Sara urged to Mattathias, who snapped out of his awestruck gaping and shoveled some food into his mouth. Gaius's eyes flicked toward her; he'd thought she was talking to him. They made eye contact for a brief moment, then Sara went back to her food.

"Not once I got there." Pratik's gaze flicked towards the children, then looked back at Ash, hoping he understood without Pratik having to say it aloud. "There was an unfortunate turn of events on the way, but I'm sure there will be plenty of time to discuss that later."

"Certainly." Gaius glanced around. He supposed he did have to introduce everyone; it would appear rude not to. "I apologize for my hesitation, but do allow me to acquaint you with my family." He waved a hand in Sara's direction first. "This is my dear wife, Sara." Sara nodded courteously, smiling.
"Pleased to meet you," she said.
"And my apothecary, Sera." Gaius gestured to her. Sera dipped her head slightly.
"We may not look it, but we're different women," she said with a wry look at Sara. Sara merely grinned back at her.
"And these are my children, Mattathias, Marcella, and little Regulus." Gaius pointed them out one by one.