Two Crows Watch from the Gallows Tree (part 3)

(*deep inhale* Still trying to decide if that's what's up. I'm trying to tell myself I'm not that cruel and trying to convince myself to do it all at the same time)

Sera seated herself on a wooden chair by the fire and sprinkled a handful of herbs into the kettle. "Now, where do the two of you come from, originally? I recognize Akarataran but I can't place your accent, sir." She was addressing Rickard, who tensed.
"I think I was born in Austraka," he replied after a long moment. "Ma'am."

Pratik watched calmly, ready to jump in to help if Rickard's anxiety got the best of him.

(What do you think? Is it too much?)

"That's something, then," Sera said thoughtfully. "We can work with that, if you want to be sent back there." Rickard took a deep breath, conflict flashing through his face, then said nothing at all.

(Idk… it is pretty cruel, but I also don’t know what you have planned for her. And I wouldn’t say it’s out of the question. He’d been abusing her for a solid two weeks. But I also dunno how early pregnancy starts to show? Probably not less than a month after?)

“After he— we— have rested and recovered, right? We’ll all stay here for a bit?”

(He'd been doing it since they arrived but not frequently until after that night when Pratik talked to her. So that would chalk up to be about two months. The child almost definitely wouldn't survive if I did do it, but that feels worse somehow. I don't know if I wanna do any of that to her)

Sera nodded. "Certainly. You need to speak to Lord Ash, and Lord Ash is curious about young Ada here. All three of you can stay as long as you need to."

(Yeahhh… I vote no haha but up to you)

Pratik glanced at Ada, wondering if she’d react to her name being said.

(No it is, then. I'm pretty mean but not that mean.)

Ada did look up to Sera, then turned to Pratik to see if he'd translate.

(haha fair!)

"We'll stay here until we've rested and recovered," Pratik translated. "Lord Ash wants to speak to us." He hesitated, realizing he would have to explain why Sera had said Ada's name. It was going to make him look like an asshole. "Lord Ash is curious to meet you."

"Because I'm a Seer?" she said flatly, giving him a cold look.

Pratik looked at her guiltily, then glanced away. "... Probably."

"Never trust a spy, Rickard," she snapped, and looked away. Rickard glanced at Pratik, then at Sera. Sera took the kettle off the fire and took it to the counter, where she got out three stone mugs and poured the tea in.

Pratik scoffed. "You've never trusted me even a little."

"And was I wrong?" she retorted, still facing away from him. Sera brought the mugs over and handed the first one to Pratik, then gave Rickard the second. Rickard took it, clasping his hands over the warm stone and letting the steam waft into his face.

"I did get you away from Tarr, like I promised," Pratik pointed out.

"Because Lord Ash told you to." She accepted the mug from Sera and blew on it.