Two Crows Watch from the Gallows Tree (part 3)

(Get ready Ky! But he's a nice dude so it should be somewhat okay)

"I'll see if Gaius and his family would like to come," Tomhas mused. "I've got no interest in the legitimate Loquiturs." Skald Taro's eyebrows shot up.
"Lord Ash? But aren't you two at war?"
"Nope, not anymore!"

(Aha yii I'm actually kind of looking forward to it -- it'll be adorable. Just very, very angsty xD)

Ky grinned at that, still so relieved that the war had ended peacefully between Loquitur and his brother. It was the best-case scenario, really.

She wondered what it would be like to be with the Ashes, now that the war was over. Would Gaius still regard her with the same cold skepticism? Or would there be a flicker of warmth in his expression this time? And what about his wife? And kids? Were they really going to accept her as one of their own? Imagine.

"Well." She sat back. "I'm very glad of that." Tomhas nodded in agreement. "Do you two have any other questions for me?"

Ky thought for a long moment.

She didn't think she did.

She had so many questions -- what her future would look like, how to make sure she didn't make the Loquiturs regret accepting her as one of their own, how she was going to fit into the extended family as a whole.

But none of those questions were for Taro.

She wasn't even sure any of those questions for Loquitur, either.

She shook her head and murmured, "No, ma'am."

"Me either," Loquitur said.
"Then I will see you two in a few weeks." Taro smiled and shook both their hands again. "Gods be with you."

"And with you," Ky answered with a smile, inclining her head to the woman. She did like her. There was a certain warmth to her that made all this seem less frightening. Less overwhelming.

Skald Taro dipped her head and departed. Tomhas let out a breath.
"Well, that's that, for now. Nerves, eh?"

Ky laughed nervously. Nerves indeed.

"I'm excited," Ky said with a nervous but genuine smile. She looked down at Petrir, contentedly purring in her arms. "Looks like you're about to get your first grand-cat."

She cringed. Why had she said that? Why was she so stupid? She rubbed her face, feeling the heat pouring into it already.

Tomhas chuckled, leaning back in his chair. "I never thought I'd see the day! Will he be giving us great-grandcats any time soon? I saw a mouse in the kitchen the other day."

Ky grinned, reaching down to rub Petrir's belly. "Hopefully."

She let out a contented sigh, also settling back into her chair. She noticed that she felt at ease now. And she liked that. That she had a guardian she could breathe around. A father to love her.

She thought for a moment, trying to think if she had any questions he'd be able to answer. The main one nagging at her right now: "... he'll approve it, right? The king?"

"I should certainly hope so. He has no reason not to." Tomhas crossed his legs in the chair. "King Harold's a good man, Ky. I have a very high opinion of him, as do many people in this Realm and out."

Ky nodded with a small smile. That was reassuring.

"You've met him, then?" she asked.

"Of course! I'm one of his Magistrates. All of the Lords are. We hold Council once a year to discuss the politics and goings on of the Realm and offer our thoughts and advice year-round to the King."

Ky blinked. She felt like she knew that -- but it was always a withdrawn, academic knowledge. She'd never dreamt she'd end up in a casual conversation with someone who had the ear of the king.

"That sounds intimidating," she said honestly. "I'm glad he's nice to you."

"Believe me, so am I. A cruel king is no one's friend, especially not his own. Gaius has known him longer than I have, though, so he's got his ear a bit more than I do. Hence the war and all." Tomhas sighed. "Glad that's over."