Two Crows Watch from the Gallows Tree (part 4)

(Mood xD)

Ky still couldn’t handle silence. And the longer it stretched the more anxious she got. Eventually, the anxiety of riding in silence outweighed the anxiety of addressing the king himself. “I appreciate you taking the time for me, sir. I hadn’t expected it.”

Harold smiled, pleased by the subject change. "Ah, well, you know this doesn't happen very often! I figured I'd surprise you. I'm delighted that you're entering the Loquitur family!"

“I am, too,” she agreed with a shy smile. “It’s been a long time since I’ve had a family… it’s been so nice being welcomed into a family as wonderful as the Loquiturs.”

His smile softened, and he nodded. "They're kind, patient people. I couldn't think of a better family to adopt a child. And they have an excellent cook!"

Ky smiled, amused that Sebastian was so renown. “That they do. I hear Ms. Ana and Lord Ash are pretty good pie-bakers as well. We’re supposedly to see tomorrow.”

"Ana?" His brow furrowed. "Oh, Lady Anneke's aunt! Yes, I've heard she's a good baker. Never heard that about Lord Ash, though...is that so?" Part of him wondered how that was possible; Gaius Ash didn't strike him as the sort to spend any time at all in a kitchen. He was a studious man, very self-important. And there was the hand to consider.

Ky was still so perplexed about what she was supposed to call everyone. The Loquiturs and Ashes were insisting she needed to drop the honorifics but here was the king using them.

“It’s what I was told.” She dipped her head and smiled. “I’m quite looking forward to seeing for myself.”

"If Lord Ash applies as much skill to his baking as he does to his politics, I expect you'll be in for the best tasting meal of your life," Harold mused. "I'm quite eager to try these pies, now. Where did he learn to bake?"

“Um…” she furrowed her brow, realizing she didn’t know. “I’m assuming from Ms. Ana, but I don’t know that for sure.”

"I'll have to ask him, then." He glanced at her and Tadaaki. "What about you two? What hidden skills have you got?"

Ky and Tadaaki exchanged an uncomfortable look. Neither of them were about to brag about themselves to a king. Absolutely not.

“I mean, nothing, really…” Ky said.

“Yeah, I’m nothing special, sir,” Tadaaki agreed.

“You’re excellent with horses,” Ky argued. “And I’m pretty sure you could make friends with a tree. Everyone loves you.”

He frowned at her. So that was how they were going to play, huh?

“Excuse me, you are the one that Aleth took to talk to all the officials and nobles and stuff.” He looked at the king. “And she speaks like 17 languages.”

Ky flushed with embarrassment. “I do not.”

"Seventeen?" Harold's eyes were round with disbelief. "Good gods, child! How old are you again? Fourteen? Fifteen?" He shook his head. "Gods. That's really, really something. I'm not sure I know anyone with that many languages under their belt!"

(It occurs to me Rickard and Ky would probably get along swell.)

(Probably!)

“He’s lying,” Ky said, still flushed. “I… I don’t know how many I know. But it’s not nearly that many.” She shook her head. “Maybe like eight or nine, tops… and I’m fifteen. Sir.”

"My interpreter only knows four," Harold said scornfully. "I ought to fire him and give you the job."

Ky laughed, then sobered, hoping he was joking and she wasn’t being obnoxious. She dipped her head. “I’m sure he’s more thorough than I am…” she shrugged. “I suppose I used to be an interpreter of sorts, for Aleth. Most of what I did for him was translate letters… I’m not good at translating when people are talking. I get too nervous, even though I can understand. It’s harder.”