Two Crows Watch from the Gallows Tree (part 3)

Ky smiled and dipped her head. "Yes, ma'am... well, I've only known them a few weeks. But they've been very kind to me. We play a lot of card games."

"Good, good. They're clever, sweet children." Her smile faded. "I do miss them. But Anneliese is very much like the way her father was when he was her age. Always chattering." Unless his mother, stepfather, or brother tried to shut him up, which was often. But Sera wanted to focus on the happy side of things. The girl didn't need more dark stories to think about, not yet.

“They are,” Ky agreed. “…hopefully you’ll be able to see them soon, if the war is really over now?”

"Godswilling. Gaius's children will be excited to hear the war is over, as well. They love their cousins."

“I’m sure,” Ky agreed. “Do you have kids?”

"A son," Sera replied. "His name is Tristan. He's about eighteen, now."

Ky nodded, not quite sure what to say now that she’d answered her question.

“You seem like you’d be a good mother,” she said after a pause. “You’re very soothing.”

Sera looked down. "I haven't done much raising, I'm afraid. He's grown up a couple villages away from the Keep, for his own safety. It was a complicated situation." She forced herself to brighten. "So, have you ever heard of the Northern rites of adoption?"

Well, now she felt like a jerk.

But she couldn’t dwell on it before Sera changed the subject.

“No, ma’am,” Ky admitted, shaking her head. “Honestly I’m still so shocked — honored… I’m not quite sure why he offered. It’s very kind. He didn’t have to do that. It’s very kind.”

"Tomhas has a big heart, and he's obviously taken a shine to you. The rites are rarely performed by nobles unless it's for a dead Count's child or something similar, so it hasn't occurred in a decade or so. I expect the Crown will be interested."

“Oh…” She must have misunderstood. “So there’s nothing official that will happen? I just stay with them and pretend like I belong there?”

"There's a contract you sign and words that are said by you and Tomhas, and then it's official. King Harold signs the contract later to grant his royal blessing."

“Oh…” Her eyes went wide. “Oh! … the king is going to know I exist?”

That seemed like pressure.

"Well, yes." Sera's brow furrowed. "You should be alright; he's a very kind man from what I hear. Gaius and Tomhas speak very highly of him. Though Gaius thinks he's a bit too kind."

He would, wouldn't he? He seemed so grumpy.

"Yes, ma'am... will I meet him? Or does he just sign something to approve it?"