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

(We do gotta decide what happens to Aleth because Tomhas absolutely has it out for him and without any reason to keep him as a spy he's gonna snitch at some point. I'd really prefer not to maim or kill your character since he's one of the protagonists.)

"So I hear your mother has become Elder Chiieftain of your clan, General," General Xander said to General Wai, glancing between the two Lords before fixing his attention on her. "Please send along my congratulations; it's a well deserved position for a wise woman."
"Thank you." General Wai dipped her head. "She's been working toward it for a long time."

(Honestly I’m 100% okay with us killing him at the end of this lol he’s my villain and awful and needs to die xD killing him off in cannon was cathartic and I’m down to do it again, unless you don’t want one of your characters to be responsible for it lol)
(Like obviously not now. But once we’re winding down)

The dynamics in this tent were fascinating.

It seemed like everyone had mutual respect for one another.

Except the brothers.

Only they did.

Kind of?

It sure seemed as though Loquitur loved and cared for his brother deeply. And despite Ash’s coldness, it was still clear he held at least a certain measure of care for his baby brother, given he was entertaining this meal at all.

Aleth and Ky were both watching the exchange curiously — both pleased that the attention was now off them.

(Up to you! And I can tell you that there's definitely gonna be some war with Tarr soon and I've got other plot points from other areas of the Realms, so on my end at least I can find ways to keep the rp alive as long as we need.)

"I intend to visit her in the next few months if all goes well," Gaius added in, perking up slightly. "I promised her I'd make time for her at some point, though I've got a creeping suspicion she only wants to see me so she can scold me in person."
"Don't feel obligated to entertain her, my Lord," General Wai said with a tentative smirk. "She's got half you Northern Lords under her thumb at this point; she can always invite someone else."
"That would mean drawing her wrath," Gaius pointed out dryly. "And I respect her enough not to snub her."

(Ayee I'm actually really glad to hear that!! I’ve been having a blast with this and was afraid we were running out of road haha)

Was that… the slightest hint of humor?

Maybe Loquitur was right. Maybe Ky would have liked Ash under pleasanter circumstances. And… maybe? If this war was coming to an end? She might have the opportunity to find out?

She wasn’t going to hold her breath for that one, though. As long as Aleth was alive, she was going to have to pretend like she didn’t know him in front of Ash. And that was going to constantly leave her panicked and on the defensive. Wary.

Hell, even if Aleth was out of the picture, she still wouldn’t be able to tell Ash the truth. She couldn’t very well squeal that Loquitur had planted a mole, even if the war ended. There were appearances to upkeep.

(I'm well known for beating a dead roleplay though, so do let me know if I carry on too long somewhere down the line! I do definitely have stuff left to pull out of my sleeve for now!)

"That's probably wise of you," Wai admitted, chuckling this time. She seemed more at ease now that Tomhas was happy. "She admires you and Lord Loquitur; I'd hate to see that admiration dwindle."
"As would I." Gaius took another sip of mead. "How is she handling the slave trade down there?"
"She's beating them back, but more come every day. It's a struggle, but you knew that already."
"Have you ever met D'Ara Wai in your time as a secretary?" Gaius asked Ky. "She's been known to communicate with contractors from time to time."

(Will do!)

(... would she have? lol I'm down to make things up but idk if that'd be realistic and also down to just say no aha)

(It's very possible, but D'Ara would have absolutely hated Aleth's guts and maybe tried to have him executed or driven out of her territory. She takes no bullshit.)

(aha love it)

"Once, very briefly," Ky answered. She was digging herself deeeeeeep with Aleth, if he ever got his hands on her again. But fuck him. "She was considering enlisting us to negotiate an agreement -- but, as it turned out, she didn't like my master any more than I did, and we left rather suddenly." Ky hesitated. She was being too cheeky. But she added, "I quite liked her."

General Wai chuckled. "She can be endearing to people or she can lash men bloody with her wit. I'm glad you liked her."
"She's not very charitable toward masters of any kind," Gaius mused. "Does she still keep that wild dog with her?"
"It died a couple years ago."

Ky smiled slightly. Finally she was saying the right thing.

Aleth kept his gaze carefully neutral, focused on his cup or casually glancing between the Ash and the General. What a fucking, insolent, little bitch. She knew how he felt about her embarrassing him.

"Pity." Gaius tilted his head. "Perhaps I'll make a gift of one of my Iron-hounds. He's a bit docile, I'm afraid, but I'm sure she'd enjoy him nonetheless."
"She'd never tell you that, but I wager it'd be true."
A pair of soldiers finally brought the stag in, fully carved and cooked. The smell was heavenly, and Tomhas sighed appreciatively.
"Now that's what I call a meal," he exclaimed. "Let's dig in, shall we?"

Ky perked up a bit, savoring the scent. She set her cup of mead back on the table, leaving space for a plate, and politely waited her turn. It would be so nice to get a meal to warm her belly and settle her nerves.

The soldiers went around putting venison on plates as well as some roasted vegetables. Tomhas dug in immediately, while Gaius only sat and watched the others around the table. Sera ignored him this time, setting into her plate of venison in silence.

Ky eagerly began eating as well. She shoveled a bite of venison into her mouth and chomped on it contentedly, glancing around the table. She looked at Ash and furrowed her brow slightly. Did he really believe his own brother would poison him? Loquitur would never do something like that. She knew he wouldn't. And Ash had to know that, too.

Besides, if they were all eating and drinking the same thing, then Loquitur couldn't very well have poisoned Ash without poisoning the whole lot of them.

Aleth happened to glance up at the exact moment Ky's gaze locked on Ash. Her perplexion was subtle, but Ash was intensely perceptive, and Aleth hoped she'd knock it off before Ash noticed her. She was such a fucking idiot, drawing attention to an eating disorder. Did she even know that's what it was? That almost made it worse. How could she still be so naive, despite it all?

Gaius caught Ky's eye and glanced down at his plate. "I'm not hungry," he explained, guessing the object of her confusion. "It isn't anything personal."
"He's never hungry," Tomhas said around a mouthful of food. "I'll take your portion if you like, Gaius."
"I might change my mind," Gaius said elusively.
"You will if I've got anything to say about it," Sera murmured, just loud enough for him to hear.