Two Crows Watch from the Gallows Tree

Tomhas glanced at Ky, raising an eyebrow. What did he mean? Did he not know his parents were dead? Or were there other people he cared about?

"He can help us," Ky repeated, looking back to Tadaaki. "Help them... right?" She looked back at Loquitur. He had offered... "I forgot before... Aaki has a daughter. On the Coast."

He rubbed his face. "And this is going to get them killed -- her, and her mother. Please. It's best if we just... Ky..." He looked at her pleadingly, then turned his desperate gaze on Loquitur. "Sir..."

(Not me inventing this on the fly xD)

(Oh dear)

Tomhas sighed. "I see. Alright, one thing at a time. I'll see to it he can't send any ravens, but first we need to get you both to the infirmary. How fast can his people get to your family, Tadaaki, and which coast specifically are we talking? He'll be slowed down by the journey to Serpent Keep so I can get soldiers to have a head start to their home, then I can have them guarded or brought to safety."

"I don't know." Tadaaki shook his head. "I don't know. I'm scared to find out. We live on the Southern Coast. They..." His chest felt so tight with fear, but he was starting to actually contemplate the situation. And it left him dumbstruck. "Would you really...?"

"Of course. It would be quicker just to kill Aleth, honestly. But I'll get your family to Caracal Keep. They'll join you there." This was quickly becoming more complicated than he had anticipated, but Tomhas had made a promise and he intended to keep it. Even so, he found himself remembering why he usually avoided getting involved in this sort of thing.

Tadaaki looked at Ky, overwhelmed. She nodded, also overwhelmed, but starting to get used to the idea. It still felt surreal. But it was starting to seem like it was actually going to happen. Tadaaki looked back at Loquitur, slowly struggling up the stairs. "Thank you. You're very kind."

"It's the least I can do." He glanced at Ky. "Here, let me help. He's twice your size."

Ky nodded, still feeling vaguely uneasy at how approachable he was. Did he not realize that he was a nobleman? Or just not understand that noblemen weren't supposed to touch servants? It was like he was a normal man who hadn't yet realized he was powerful. "Yes, sir."

"Your lordship--" Tadaaki looked alarmed, and, vaguely betrayed as Ky stepped out of the way. He didn't know what to do. He couldn't make it up the stairs in his current state. And he also couldn't tell Loquitur what to do. It was a no-win situation.

"Come on, come on." Tomhas ducked under Tadaaki's arm and let him lean on him. "Everything is going to be fine." How skittish they were. His own servants had been the same when he arrived at Caracal Keep. He supposed that was what happened when people were employed to cruel masters. He and Gaius hadn't been servants, per se, but they certainly hadn't come out frightened of their own shadows.

Tadaaki was starting to feel a bit more of the life dump into him as he finished off the first loaf and stiffly let Loquitur wrap his arm around him. It half felt like Aleth was going to be waiting at the top of the stairs. That this was all some nasty trap. But, Ky was usually pretty clever, so if she trusted Loquitur, maybe he should, too.

Ky walked ahead of them, staying a few steps ahead but turning around almost as frequently as she took a step, checking in on them, but was silent. They got to the top and Tadaaki murmured his thanks to Loquitur, then leaned against the wall, chest heaving for breath after the exertion.

"Just at the end of the hall now, but we can take a break if you need." Tomhas looked at the big man in concern. Both he and Ky were so thin, which was his fault as much as it was Aleth's.

"I'm okay," he breathed, shaking his head as he took a step forward, but kept his hand on the wall to steady himself. Then he hesitated, looking back at Loquitur as his brain slowly pieced things together. "Wait, why are we going to the infirmary? ... sir."

"You two are hurt and half starved," Tomhas replied. "Best to get you patched up now rather than later. It's nearly dawn, but you can sleep there as well if you need. Unless you would rather attend Aleth's beating."

Ky and Tadaaki exchanged a look, both of them getting tense at once. He wouldn't really send them back... would he? Ky was starting to feel lightheaded again after all that she'd tried to do to help Tadaaki. She swayed a bit, brain suddenly feeling clouded. This had been so much. Too much.

"I don't want to take another of his beatings," she murmured, staring at the floor. She supposed it was too much to ask to get taken from Aleth without at least one final beating. But, she'd been letting herself get hopeful... still, it sounded like an offer... hopefully.

Tadaaki eyed them both. He thought Loquitur was talking about them watching Aleth get beaten by Tarr, but for all he knew, maybe he was planning to let Aleth loose on them one final time. An uneasiness sat in his stomach at the thought that Ky might be right -- she usually was -- but he hoped she wasn't this time. He added quickly. "We are of course happy to do whatever pleases his lordship."

"Oh--oh, gods. No, I meant going to watch him get his ass handed to him. It's entirely up to you." Damn, he should have worded that better. "I'm afraid it wouldn't be wise for either of you to throw any punches, but I'll do my best to break his jaw if you like. It's been awhile since I engaged in pugilism of any kind, but I'm sure I'll do fine."