Two Crows Watch from the Gallows Tree (cont'd)

(Oh gosh, Ky an assassin, imagine xD)

Ky was nervous, but excited at the same time. She didn't have the first idea what to expect from this meeting, but she was happy to be included. This time as a guest, not an assistant that would be thrust into the center of attention, every behavior micro-analyzed by men with nothing better to do with their time than make her life hell.

Besides, it was nice to get out of the Keep and get some fresh air. And Loquitur still had her undying loyalty, so an excuse to spend time in his presence was welcomed besides. This would be --

Her heart lurched as her eyes landed on Aleth.

No!

No, no, no, nonononono!

God, no!

Her breath caught in her chest, sheer terror surging through her. Loquitur had promised Ash wouldn't bring Aleth. That she'd never have to be in his presence ever again.

And here he was.

Staring at her with his same icy gaze.

Ky dropped her gaze quickly, swallowing hard and forcing her expression to be drawn and impassive. She wouldn't ruin this for Loquitur. She wouldn't. No matter how badly she wanted to turn the horse and run far, far, far away.

Aleth watched Ky as she came into view, face stony and cold.

The little idiot was doing a decent job of masking her recognition of him, at least, beyond the briefest moment of surprise that'd flashed across her eyes. She clearly hadn't expected him to be here.

He hadn't expected her either.

What was Loquitur's game? Did he bring her just to gloat that he still had Aleth's servant? Aleth's gaze flicked over the rest of the party. They hadn't brought Tadaaki.

He glanced at Emery and whispered. "That's Lord Loquitur?"

"The one and only," Emery whispered back. "Handsome, isn't he? Gods, the things I'd do to that man if he'd only let me. He did, once, when we were teenagers."

"Brother!" Tomhas leaped down off his horse and made to take a step forward. Seven swords were unsheathed at once, and he went still, holding up his hands. Was he really the enemy now? He watched his older brother, who stared back at him in turn. Then Gaius raised a hand and the swords were sheathed.
"Who is she?" he asked icily, pointing at Ky with his good hand. "Not a soldier, by the looks of her. Why have you brought her."
"You brought Sera," Tomhas pointed out. "And is that dear Emery I see? And who's that beside him? Seems you came with more friends than soldiers, old fellow. May I hug you?"
"You may not. Answer the question, Tomhas." Gaius was already tired of this; he'd thought he would miss his brother's antics but all it was doing was grating on his already frayed nerves. Tomhas's broad smile faded.
"She's under my care," he replied. "This is Ky."

Aleth was more surprised by that than he was Ky's presence. Emery and Loquitur-- ?

He decided to bookmark that one for later, and instead, carefully watch what was going on before him now.

She?

So, she'd made that choice, had she? She'd pay for that one as well.

Ky's gaze was focused on Ash now, though, rather than Aleth.

Aleth wasn't stupid enough to try something now.

She hoped.

There were too many soldiers; too many witnesses. He didn't like witnesses.

Ash seemed like a far more dangerous force right now. His demeanor chilled the clearing more than snow and ice ever could. Did he really hate his own brother this much? How could anyone be this angry about someone as wonderful as Loquitur? He had to have known how good Loquitur was. They were brothers. They'd grown up together. Why was he being so nasty?

But before she had time to think through those questions, she was suddenly the focus of attention.

Yet another thing she'd wanted to avoid this time.

But that wasn't a choice now. So, she had to dip back into her old persona. To channel the charming energy of Kyber -- the boy who could take anything, in the means of saving his own skin when he was in private with Aleth once again. If she could handle Tarr and all the other men Aleth had forced her to meet over the years, she could maintain the charade for Ash.

"How do you do, sir?" Ky said, dipping her head respectfully.

The girl was putting on a show, that much was obvious. She was afraid, perhaps. Gaius chanced a few halting steps forward, glad of the cold-hardened ground keeping his cane from sinking into the soil. "I could be better," he replied without tone. "My brother has taken you under his wing, has he? Get down off that horse so I can see you."
"You talk like an old man," Tomhas chuckled half-heartedly, and Gaius offered him a piercing stare in return.
"And you act like a twelve year-old boy," he retorted. Behind him, Sera rolled her eyes.

Fear stabbed through Ky's gut. Why was Ash so focused on someone as inconsequential as her? She wasn't the focal point of this meeting. Their sister was. And yet it seemed like Ky had somehow drawn everyone's attention to herself. At least, Ash's attention. And she didn't like it.

But she hastily scrambled off the horse and strode forward, every bit as quickly as she obeyed Aleth's orders.

She was squarely back in her old role. Submissive. Obedient. Immediate.

Ky strode forward a few steps, stopping a step to the left of Loquitur so that she'd be visible, but stayed a step behind his distance from Ash. She forced herself to keep her shoulders back -- to not cower. To be a good representative of her master.

She held her hands out slightly from her body, palms out, proving they were empty. As if she would ever be the person someone asked to do an assassination. It was an absurd thought. Her, a soldier. Pff.

Gaius studied her, frowning. She was afraid. Where had she come from, he wondered, that Tomhas had taken responsibility for her so quickly? What was her story? There was something servile about her, subdued as if she was used to being under a boot. He'd seen it hundreds of times in rescued slaves. It was something missing from their new charge, Al.
"Am I that frightening?" he asked after a moment, straightening. Tomhas glanced between them nervously, hands clasped behind his back. "Has my brother been telling you terrible tales, child?"

She was about to ask if Ash wished to be frightening. Because she always hated that question. If she said no, and the person thought she should be, then they were nasty to her to prove a point. If she said yes and the person thought she shouldn’t be, then they were offended.

There was little way to win that game.

But then he went on.

“No, sir,” she answered honestly, given his second question. Loquitur had given her no indication that she needed to fear Ash. He wouldn’t have brought her, if he thought she’d be in danger. “On the contrary, he’s made you seem like a decent fellow, sir.”

"That's very kind of him. He's wrong, of course." Gaius tilted his head thoughtfully. "I'm not decent at all. But I suppose you're something like a niece to me, now. You've nothing to fear from me anyhow." He gave a very short bow. "Welcome to the messiest family in the Northern Realm, young miss. I hope you don't live to regret it."
"Thank you for inspiring courage in the girl," Tomhas scoffed. "Now, you came here for Cecily, not to belittle our bloodline, right? She's here."
"Yes." Gaius's pale eyes turned to his sister, who was being helped off her horse by one of Tomhas's soldiers. "The circumstances under which she was found are dubious at best; you shouldn't have had a patrol that close to my Keep. Nevertheless, I'm grateful she fell into safe hands."

Ky stared in silence, gaping slightly despite herself.

A… a niece?

What?

No.

Loquitur hadn’t taken her in to that degree… had he? She was still barely alright with acknowledging that she was a guest rather than having become Loquitur’s servant instead of Aleth’s. This was too far.

He was being mocking, of course.

But it still messed with her head.

She’d never had an extended family before. It was just her and Papa and very, very sporadically her Mama’s brother would show up occasionally. That was it. If Loquitur had actually taken her in to that degree it meant she had uncles. Aunts. Cousins. A… mother.

It broke her brain.

She closed her mouth and folded her hands in front of herself respectfully. He was just trying to fuck with her head. He was succeeding. But the conversation had switched to Cecily and she was more than happy letting the attention turn elsewhere.

"Hello, Gaius!" Cecily threw her arms around him nearly bowling the gaunt man over. "I'm sorry if I scared you; I wanted to see Tomhas so very badly." Gaius returned the embrace woodenly, then relaxed into it slightly.
"I'm just glad you're alright," he muttered, and let go. "Your child was worried sick about you. You can't go off on your own anymore, you know that." Cecily wrinkled her nose.
"Just because you and Tomhas have sticks up both your arses doesn't mean I can't go visit," she protested.
"Bring someone with you next time," Tomhas advised, trying to soothe her. "I'm sure we can work something out, big sister."
"We'll see." Gaius gestured toward the horses. "We should be taking our leave, now."
"Now?" Tomhas scoffed. "We all only just got here. It's freezing cold and I haven't eaten in hours. Why don't we all sit down to lunch? We killed a stag yesterday; I'd be happy to share."

Ky watched it unfold in front of her. Suddenly glad she didn’t have siblings. It all seemed so tense. So uncomfortable.

She knew Loquitur desired to talk to Ash so for his sake she hoped the bitter man would be agreeable — even though that seemed exactly opposite his nature.

But she wasn’t thrilled at the idea of taking a meal surrounded by soldiers and scorned by a grumpy old Lord. Or… Aleth. She’d scream if she had to pretend she was fine with being so near Aleth.

Well, not literally. She’d keep it together if she had to. Of course she would. But she wouldn’t be happy with it.

She took a deep breath, bracing her facial expression, then looked up at Aleth.

He was watching the nobles.

He looked haggard. It was clear Ash had taken him in and treated him well. But he was still under weight and seemed off his game. No longer the suave, smooth-talking diplomat she used to work for.

His gaze traveled to her.

Ky stared at him, frozen in fear.

She looked well. Her hair was growing out a bit longer than he ever permitted her to keep it. But she looked contented. Terrified of being under Ash’s critical glare — and of being under his own. But there’d been an easiness in her posture before she saw him that had never been there before.

He’d beat it out of her again.

For now, he’d bide his time. And hope to the gods above that Ash said no.

(To be clear, I’m totally down for this. My characters are just angsty haha)

(Oh it's definitely happening XD)

"You must think I'm an idiot," Gaius scoffed. "You could have done anything to that meat. And we're at war. I suppose you could set up camp on the other side of the walls, but we aren't taking lunch together."
"Come on, Gaius," Tomhas pleaded. "Just lunch. It doesn't have to be long. You and your companions can join me, Ky, Cecily, and General Wai in our tent while the deer is being prepared. We'll talk amongst ourselves, get warm. Then once we've eaten, we'll spend the night and go our separate ways. Does that really sound so dangerous?"
Gaius was silent, eyeing his brother. He seemed genuine, as he always did. A very large part of him screamed to say no; it wasn't safe and it wasn't seemly for a Lord to dine with his sworn enemy. But at the same time he wanted news of his nieces and nephews. He wanted to hear how Lyra was faring at Wolf Keep--though Roland had written to him to report that she'd gone home with Tomhas--and how Anneke was now that she was pregnant. He wanted to get to know this new child as well, to figure out what her angle was if any, and where she had come from.
"Very well," he said finally, and turned. "Sera, Bay, Xander, Emery, Al With me."
Tomhas smiled slightly, though he realized as Gaius agreed that he would be stuck in the same tent with Aleth for several hours. More importantly, Ky would too. Would one of them break?

(Aha perfect!)

Fuuuuuuuuuck.

She had better think up a story; and quick. If they were going to spend hours together, she figured Ash would resume his prodding. And she hadn’t come up with an alibi for why she was with Loquitur. Why should she have? She’d just been planning to be a fly on the wall.

She never would have agreed to come if she’d known that Ash was going to take such terrifying interest in her. If she’d known Aleth was going to be here.

Aleth inclined his head and stepped forward at Ash’s beckoning. Well, this should be interesting. Ky was usually good at keeping her head about her under tense situations. But she used to have a solid post. She was Aleth’s assistant. No one gave a fuck where she’d come from or who she was beyond that — and even if they did, she could tell the truth that she was just a stupid little idiot from a stupid little farm.

But now she didn’t have that cover anymore. And she also would be between warring Lords — she was always so anxious about being in the room where powerful men were disagreeing. And he was there, besides. They’d see what she had.

(Everyone: *looks at Ky expectantly*)

Tomhas's soldiers set about getting the main tent set up, and in no time they were all seated around a table. Tomhas was seated in the middle of one side with Gaius on the other side, both their parties seated around them. Tomhas had seated General Wai and Kai on either side of him. Gaius had chosen to sit Sera and General Xander on either side of him, with Captain Bay beside Xander and Emery beside Bay. Cecily was on Emery's other side. Aleth had been seated beside Sera.
"So," Tomhas said, pouring out cups of mead, "How was everybody's trip?"
Gaius took the offered cup but didn't drink. "Easy enough," he replied curtly. "I'm not in the mood for small talk."
"You never are. Sera, then. I've missed you, Sera. How are the children and Lady Sara?"
"They're thriving only as Ashes know how to do," Sera replied. "The children miss their cousins, of course, but they're doing very well. Mattathias and Marcella are already learning to read."

(My brain is very smol rn so lemme know if I didn’t read this right haha)

Ky was sitting across from Captain Bay. It was the best she could do to avoid Aleth. Keep Loquitur squarely between the two of them. Just like he’d promised to stay. Her human shield.

Aleth was watching the interactions curiously. This was a dysfunctional family if he’d ever seen one. Just a strange mix of anger and care for one another. He listened closely, hoping to learn more about the man he worked for as well as the man he now lived under.