Two Crows Watch from the Gallows Tree

Tomhas met Lord Tarr, Alexander, and Lady Constance in the sparring area. He had discussed it with them and they'd Tarr, being the most physically strong, would be doing the beating. Tomhas had requested that he get at least one punch of his own in, but Constance advised against it and so Tomhas stood bitterly outside the ring, arms crossed. He did maintain an appropriately grim expression, but inside he was squirming at the opportunity to see Aleth get his dues.

Ky and Tadaaki made their way down to the sparring area, scarcely breathing. They didn't know where Aleth was, and they were terrified to find out. They were still maintaining the facade of being his servants, which meant they couldn't do anything at all if he stumbled across them and decided to give them a thorough thrashing before he left.

They made it without incident.

Ky stopped next to Loquitur, and was grateful that Tadaaki took the spot on her other side. He couldn't stand between her and Aleth, of course. But it still felt comforting to have him close by. And Loquitur could stand between Aleth and them, and from the expression on his face, Ky didn't doubt that he'd do just that if he needed to.

Aleth skulked into the area pissily, already glaring.

Ky felt her heart lurch. This was a bad idea. She shouldn't be here. Why had she agreed? She wanted to bolt. But, that seemed embarrassing. And she didn't want to embarrass herself in front of Loquitur again. So she stood with every muscle in her body tense.

"Good morning," Tomhas called coolly. "Are you ready, Aleth? Tarr's not one to pull his punches, from what I've seen." He was well aware of the risk Ky and Tadaaki were taking by coming to see this, which was why he had his bastard sword hanging from his belt. Hopefully Aleth would hardly be conscious enough to attempt something foolish, but if he was then Tomhas and Constance would be ready for him. Constance had been appalled but not surprised when he'd relayed the confrontation in the hallway, and when he told her of his plan she had been fully in support. Her warhammer was leaning against the ring within reach. Her wife and son were beside her, watching quietly.

"Wonderful," Aleth spat, climbing into the ring.

His eyes locked on Ky's.

She felt a stab of terror, but stared in a transfixed silence, horrified. His eyes were filled with icy rage. He didn't even try to hide his annoyance with the situation, which meant he was even angrier than usual -- but it was his eyes that made Ky's breath catch.

"What the fuck are you two doing out here?" he snarled. "Leave."

"Yes, sir!" she and Tadaaki said quickly, spinning on their heels in instant obedience, hearts fluttering. They'd gladly leave. To be anywhere else on earth than under his venomous glare.

"They're mine until you get back to the Keep," Tomhas said sharply. "They'll leave if I tell them to leave." He turned to Ky and Tadaaki caught Ky's shoulder gently, asking in an undertone, "you don't have to be here, but I won't have him bullying you out of it. Do you want to stay or go?" Constance glanced toward him as she heard this, then she looked back at Aleth.

Ky froze in place, not at all sure what to do. It was so bizarre how freely Loquitur could pass from running off to fetch food for a literal servant, to being a bold Lord that told Aleth off, to actually asking her what she wanted to do. She hadn't been asked in years.

Her gaze snapped from Loquitur to Constance to Tadaaki, chest feeling tight. She knew she had to answer quickly. But she didn't know what to say. She wanted nothing more in the world than bolt. But, Kylia needed to stop running away from people.

"Stay," Tadaaki murmured, voice barely audible. He was every bit as scared as Ky, but he felt like there would be a certain sense of catharsis at watching this. And Ky certainly wasn't going to be the one to make that decision.

Ky swallowed hard, but squared her shoulders and nodded timidly. "Okay."

Tomhas dipped his head and turned back to face Aleth. "They're staying," he said firmly. "If you're afraid of being thrashed in front of your own servants then I expect you're not going to take the actual beating very well, so shape up."

Aleth's gaze flicked between them. He couldn't hear what'd been said, but it was clear that something had just happened between them before they all turned back towards him. Loquitur seemed fool enough to actually take servants' opinions into account. Which meant Ky had just decided to directly disobey Aleth, thinking she was under the protection of Loquitur.

"I'll remember this," he said threateningly, locking eyes with Ky again.

She took a step backward. She didn't want him to remember anything at all. And certainly not if he -- oh gods had he heard her? Her back bumped into Tadaaki's chest. She could feel that he was also trembling, but he was unmoving. She set her jaw and stared at the edge of the ring, deciding she wasn't going to run, but far too scared to actually look at him just then.

Tomhas glanced at Tarr and gave a small nod. Tarr strode into the ring.
"Shirt off," he said to Aleth. "Fight back if you want but it won't go well." He had his own shirt off despite the cold, and his well-toned muscles were already tensed.

Aleth turned towards Tarr, anger surging through him. It hadn't occurred to him that he might have to take his shirt off. That just added to the humiliation. But, then, it seemed Loquitur was desperate to piss him off as much as was humanly possible before sending him out, and making a big fuss out of it would only make it worse.

Ky looked up as Aleth pulled his shirt off. She gaped as she saw the scar of burns that covered most of his back. He'd mentioned occasionally that she was lucky that she was dealing with him instead of his father, but she'd never seen him without his shirt on to have any idea of how bad it must have been. She almost sorry for him. But then she rubbed her own abdomen, remembering that he'd done just as bad to her.

Aleth threw his shirt down in a crumpled ball and turned back to Tarr. He had no doubt whatsoever that it wasn't going to go well. Aleth didn't shy away from violence by any means, but the boy wasn't even half his age and prided himself in being strong, whereas Aleth preferred to be intelligent. Still, it might be gratifying if he could get at least one good blow in on Tarr.

Tarr took in the scars with a smirk. "You won't have any trouble passing or a slave," he quipped.
"Keep the blows physical, Ithicus," Tomhas snapped, unnerved by the damage to Aleth's back. Again he was reminded of his own injuries from living with Michael, and he looked away. "Begin."
Tarr leaped at Aleth, immediately throwing a savage punch at his face.

He came faster than Aleth expected, and his blow landed solidly on Aleth's jaw. Aleth tried to throw Tarr off him, throwing a punch towards Tarr's face clumsily.

Tarr dodged and punched him in the face again, then made two quick jabs at Aleth's stomach.

Aleth slipped, falling heavily on his back, head striking the ground hard. He was suddenly back in his father's workshop. Slammed onto the stone floor, entire body aching. Rage usually reserved only his father flooded into him at the memory and he sprang to his feet faster than even he knew he could move, and in a fluid motion dove towards Tarr in an attempt to tackle him.

Ky and Tadaaki watched in dreadful anticipation. Tarr didn't seem scared. How was Tarr not scared of Aleth? Ky couldn't comprehend. Tadaaki took Aleth's abuse out of fear of what Aleth would do to his daughter if he fought, even though he could have easily overpowered him. Ky couldn't. She was smaller and weaker and every single bit of her was absolutely terrified of him. She swallowed hard, wondering if Tarr was going to realize soon that he should apologize and run away.

Tarr was caught by surprise by the tackle but kept his footing, using Aleth's momentum to throw them both to the ground. He grabbed Aleth by the hair and slammed his head into the snow, scraping it back and forth against the ground.