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

(Works for me!)

It had been a week since Cecily's disappearance, and despite Gaius's best efforts there had been no sign of her in Vemholm. The snow covered any tracks she might have made, and so Cecily had become a ghost.

Gaius hadn't eaten or slept the first three days of her absence. His nephew was, if possible, even more worried than he was, though it was the worry of a young child. His brother in-law had spent most of the week drinking.
Sara had spent her week doing damage control. Her children had of course heard all the hubbub and demanded where their aunt was. She tried to keep them occupied with games and reading, but there was only so much entertainment for a trio of curious toddlers in this Keep.

Gaius had eventually gotten himself out of the deep, deep rut of utter panic and begun acting as Lord after those three days, and now he was seated in his study, writing out a coded letter to Roland. He figured a report on Wolf Keep would be a good distraction, and he was curious as to how Pratik was faring. He had received message detailing his arrival, and he expected that Nasa would return within the week as well. That would be an entertaining spectacle; Gaius had plans for the slaver and his lackeys.

Aleth had spent the week as silent as possible, observing everything that he could. It was obvious that Cecily was a weakness in the lord’s otherwise unflappable front. But he wasn’t sure if that was helpful or not.

He strode through the keep, looking for something to catch his attention.

Young Adrian, Cecily's child, was out on one of the balconies, bundled up in warm clothes. He was gazing down at the graveyard, where all the past Ashes sat carved in stone on their benches.

Pratik pulled his furs tighter around himself and stepped out on the balcony as well. “Hello, young sir.”

Adrian looked up, blinking at Aleth. "Oh. Hello." He glanced back at the benches, leaning against the railing.

“How are you today?” Aleth asked, also looking over the benches.

Adrian shrugged. "Bored. I miss Mother." He looked up. "Are you a servant?"

(I think the kiddo is eight years old here, I need to check my list)

(Good to know! Thanks)

“Yes, sir,” Aleth answered. “Well, sort of. Your uncle rescued me from slavery. It was very kind.”

Adrian studied Aleth with those cold blue Ash eyes, something unspoken in his face. Then he nodded. "He is very kind," he agreed.

“He seems to care for your mother very much,” Aleth continued casually.

"Why wouldn't he?" Adrian shivered, blowing into his gloved hands. "Do you have siblings?"

Aleth blinked, startled by the question. “No sir… I was rather an accident myself.”

"Don't call me sir," Adrian said impatiently. "Do you want siblings?"

Aleth inclined his head. If he didn’t have to call a literal child sir, he certainly wasn’t going to. “I’m a grown adult. At this point, adding siblings would be awkward.”