Two Crows Watch from the Gallows Tree

"One cannot rule a territory without making friends with a few deplorables," Gaius replied. And one could not fight a war without allying with former enemies.

“Or win a war,” Pratik agreed. “Thankfully, deplorables are rather easy to come by. And some are rather good at what they do.”

"Very true." Gaius finished off his wine.
"Pity there aren't quite so many desirables with the same skills," Sera said dryly.

Pratik smirked. He knew what he was. Knew how he’d become that. And he’d own it. He didn’t need admiration and he didn’t need their approval. He just wanted money, and he had the skills to deserve it. Which they all knew. Pratik took a drink of water, then looked at Sera, still smirking a bit. “I’m not sure desirable people have the stomach for deplorable things.”

"What's wrong with that?" Her piercing green eyes were locked unwaveringly on him. Gaius looked between them; he rather enjoyed when Sera tore people down. "The world is a much better place with fewer deplorable things in it, wouldn't you agree?"

“Certainly, the world would be a much better place with certain people, and circumstances, removed. However I prefer to think more in terms of practicality.” Pratik looked at her coolly, meeting her venomous glare. “I don’t imagine deplorable things are going anywhere anytime soon. So there may well be deplorable people to deal with them, so good people don’t have to live with that on their conscience.”

He should have phrased that differently. He preferred to pretend that he didn’t have a conscience at all. There wasn’t any need for his employers to know what his skills cost him, physically or emotionally. He was hired so they wouldn’t have to have that blood on their conscience, even if they were the ones who hired it done.

"He makes a good point," Sara mused. Sera nodded slightly.
"He does, but what about the people who do harm simply for the sake of profit? They're of no use to the quote unquote 'desirables' and only bring hell on everyone else."
"The other deplorables kill them," Gaius suggested.

“Other deplorables kill them,” Pratik echoed in agreement, picking up his glass of wine. “And then wait for another deplorable to come along and do the same to them. Tis the way of deplorables. But at least there’s wine along the way.”

Gaius would drink to that, but he was out of wine.
"It's an endless chain of suffering," Sera mused. "Let's hope someone comes along and offs Ithicus Tarr at some point soon."
"He's a child, Sera," Sara scoffed. "He can't be terrible forever."
"A Tarr can do anything he sets his mind to," Gaius replied. "Don't put it past him, dearest."

Pratik watched the exchange in silence, taking a long drink of the wine. Tarr seemed quite popular amongst the slavers Pratik knew. Which meant he was probably as terrible as they were and deserved to die. But he wasn’t one to run his mouth if he couldn’t back it up, and he had no interest in going after Tarr directly unless the pay went up dramatically. So he reached forward and speared a potato instead and listened to them.

"I still can't believe Tomhas married Lyra to him," Sera said with a shake of her head. "He knows what kind of man Tarr is. How could he do that to the poor child?"
"Master Chrenko," Gaius cut in, "have you had dealings with other Lords in the North?" The last thing he wanted to speak of right now was Tomhas and his family. That would raise more questions from the children and it brought up unpleasantries from the past several months that Gaius had been working hard to push from his mind when he wasn't dealing with the war itself. He'd much rather turn the conversation to the mercenary sitting at his table.

“Not many,” Pratik answered, a little disappointed — but not particularly surprised — that Ash had ended the conversation before it was especially useful to him. “I’ve spent much of the past several years now in the South, occasionally hop over to the East when I catch word that I can be useful. Rather new to this region. Any you’d recommend I try to meet?”

"None except my ally, I think." What else did Pratik expect him to say? Was he to recommend his enemies so the mercenary could peddle information to them? "Lord Bledroe is a steadfast man. Not a very full coffer but willing to keep you on for awhile. Gives people steady jobs all the time."

Pratik nodded, glad he’d kept Ash talking long enough to eat his fill of the delightful dinner. “I suppose I’ll introduce myself once I’ve worn out my welcome here.”

If welcome is what you wanted to call it.

"Papa says friends are always welcome," Marcella piped up. Gaius tilted his head. He did recall saying that. It wasn't his fault his children couldn't yet distinguish between friend and employee.
"Well, I'd best be off," he said, pushing himself to his feet. "There's still much to be done. Master Chrenko, I've arranged for you to be moved into the Keep. A servant will escort you to your room when you've finished eating."