Two Crows Watch from the Gallows Tree (part 4)

(Haha yes, yes you do what are you thinking of happening when she’s gone? Will the king be there when she gets back? And I’m thinking either riding with Anneliese or some of them going into the village? Idk)

(I'm gonna have something happen to her while she's out--nothing bad! None of the Loquiturs can be along for the ride, though--maybe one of your own characters or a bodyguard? They can go into the village and on the trip back this thing will happen.)

(Hahaha omg I’m scared xD um I could have Tadaaki go with her for more bro time but that would leave you kinda hanging. Maybe I could just do a really brief summary of “they wandered around the end now we’re going home” in a single post then we launch into whatever torture you have planned? xD)

(No that's absolutely okay! Either way works; you could even have it happen in the village if you like. That would be perfect!)

(Haha I have no idea what you have planned but I’ll give it a crack and edit as necessary)

Ky and Tadaaki had set out for the village at mid-morning. They both had expressed interest in the village, though neither of them particularly wanted to leave the Keep — it was safe in here. The same couldn’t be said for other places. But the Loquiturs had encouraged them to go have a good time and enjoy each other’s company while they could; and Aashi had been positively adamant that they were going to go, and they were going to go alone, and they were going to talk things out while they did because they apparently needed each other’s support. Or something.

Tadaaki and Ky were both hesitant at first, but reluctantly consented, and had now spent the past few hours wandering around the village. Ky was still so enamored with markets. She didn’t see any growing up; hadn’t been allowed to leave when she was a stable boy; and Aleth had only allowed her to go to town a handful of times as reward for good behavior. It was all still so new to her. Tadaaki had seen more of it than she had; he got sent on errands frequently. But he always had to say exactly where he was going and the exact route he was taking to get there.

So having the freedom to wander around at their leisure was incredible. Eventually, they decided they’d seen enough, and went for their horses to start on the trek back to the Keep.

At the stable, there was a sturdy-looking Iron-horse being tended by a tall man with a shock of shoulder-length graying blonde hair beneath the hood of his cloak. He looked strong, like a smith or perhaps a carpenter, and stood straight. He nodded to them as they entered, smiling through a thick beard the same yellow-gray as his hair. "Good day to you." He spoke with a clear, strong voice that he was obviously trying to keep soft.

“And to you.” Ky nodded to him. She still felt so anxious interacting with men she didn’t know, since she was clearly a girl now and she’d witnessed the nastiness that could be inflicted. But she was still better at taking to strangers than Tadaaki so she decided to bite the bullet. Besides, she at least had back until this time.

"How are you this fine afternoon?" he asked, brushing at the steed's stiff coat. "Beautiful day, isn't it?"

She didn’t like this. Tadaaki didn’t, either. It was far better when people looked straight through them and pretended they didn’t exist. Ghosts of slaves. She tried to shake the fear off. It was just small talk. If he wanted to hurt her, he would have gone straight in for the kill. Just a man. “Yes, sir, it really is.”

She certainly wasn’t going to encourage the conversation though. She strode towards the tack stall.

The man watched her go and shrugged, glancing toward Tadaaki. "Do you have far to travel, sir, or has your journey met its end?"

Tadaaki’s gut was also tied up in a knot, but he tried to push it down. Why shouldn't someone strike up small talk with him? He was a free man, after all. Someone worthy of baseline respect. “Not far now. And you?”

"Not far at all! Shouldn't be more than an hour or so." He finished brushing his horse and led it out of the stall. "Where are you two off to?"

(Wait is this the king? Hahaha)

“Um…” Tadaaki looked over his shoulder at Ky. He didn’t know whether to be honest or not.

Ky also didn’t know. “We’re just off to visit a friend is all.”

"Ah, lovely! Friendship is magic a wonderful thing." He led the horse out of the stable, giving them a two-fingered salute. "Well, safe trip to you both! I've got to be on my way." He swung himself up on the horse.

Ky felt herself relax. She was so paranoid. This was just an average, friendly man. Nothing sinister about him. “You as well, sir. Pleasant journey.”