Two Crows Watch from the Gallows Tree (part 3)

(Thanks!)

Pratik took the sword and strapped it to his hip. It felt good to have one on him again. Like he was back in control. He tucked the dagger into his belt and turned towards Rickard. He took a deep breath, conscience nagging at him to help the poor man, while his brain screamed at him to look after himself and Ada first.

Leaving him behind wouldn’t be like Pratik at all. Leaving a slave to cruelty, when he technically had the means to help him, even though it’d be difficult. He’d never live with himself if he didn’t at least try. He sighed. “Can you ride a horse?”

"I can." Rickard nodded. "I can, but not very well."
"We can't take him," Roland said to Pratik. "I've got two horses and Lord Ash is expecting two arrivals. No more, no less."
"Lord Ash?" Rickard's eyes widened. "But he's a merciful man, is he not?"

“He can ride with me til we get to the first town, then I’ll steal him another horse.” He’d deal with Ash when they got there. “It’s on me. I can make it work.”

"You jeopardize all of us by bringing a third person," Roland protested. "There aren't enough provisions, and you'll move slower than anticipated. I can't allow it."
"What's going on?" Ada demanded of Pratik. "What are they saying?"

“And you trust him to keep his mouth shut, if we leave him here?” Pratik asked, raising an eyebrow. Rickard had fucking complicated this, no matter what he did.

Roland huffed. "There are ways of keeping people silent, but I'd rather not have violence. You think you can split rations between three people when it was made for two? Good luck to you." Rickard let out a breath.
"Bless you both," he whispered, near tears. "Bless you."

“We’ll make it work,” Pratik repeated. All they really had to do was make it work til the first town. He’d try to negotiate something with the innkeeper. And if he couldn’t, well, there was always violence or theft. And he was good at both. He looked at Rickard. “If you don’t figure it out by the time we get you a mount of your own, I’m tying you to the saddle. I won’t have you slowing us down.”

"Just so long as I get there!" Rickard smile brightly, relief plain on his narrow face. "I'll do my best to learn."
"What is going on?" Ada asked again, crossing her arms. "We should be gone by now!"

(I said in the first post about Rickard that he had rather dark skin but I'm picturing him more like Alexander Siddig now)

(Ooh, nice! I like the twist you threw in. We all know Pratik can’t help himself xD)

“We’re going,” Pratik said, turning back towards her. “Rickard is coming with us.”

(I was too attached to Rickard to leave him behind XD)

"Him?" Ada looked Rickard up and down. "Why? What has he done that's so exciting?" Rickard gave Ada a doubtful look, clasping his hands together in front of him.
The gates began to open with a long creaking groan, and Roland tensed.
"It's time to go," he said. "Quickly, now."

(Aha I dig it!)

“It’s time,” Pratik said to Ada, gesturing at her horse. Then he looked back at Rickard. “Get on. Behind my saddle. You’ll hold on to me.”

Rickard clambered awkwardly up onto the horse, clinging tightly to the saddle. Ada swung up onto her own horse with ease, folding two blankets in front of her and tying the third around her head for warmth.

(Wow well I think I have to rework this entire novel again to include Ada and Rickard prominently)

Pratik briefly considered making Rickard hold the blanket he’d snitched, then decided he’d rather the man focus the entirety of his attention on not falling off. Pratik swung himself onto his horse and nodded to Roland. “Be well.”

(Aha! That’s a mood. Tadaaki didn’t used to have a secret family before all of this xD)

"And you as well." Roland nodded back. "Have a safe journey. Spend the night where you can, out of the cold."

Pratik inclined his head and urged the horse forward, looking over his shoulder at Rickard. “Hold on to me. Tight. The only time you fall off should be if I fall off, you understand?”

Pratik grasped the blanket tightly with his left hand as he spoke, arranging the reins with his right.