"u and rina are systematically watering down the grammar of yws" - Atticus "From the fish mother to the fish death god." - lehmanf "A fish stole my identity. I blame shady" - Omni [they/he]
About three days later, both Tomhas and Anneke gathered the older children in the infirmary with Ky. "Your mother and I have been talking," Tomhas began. "I want to send the five of you to Serpent Keep to stay with your uncle and aunt for a couple months while we find the people who tried to hurt Ky. Your mother doesn't feel comfortable separating from all of you, so we've come to a compromise. Oscar and Peter are staying here, but you girls get to decide where you go. It won't be for too long, like I said. Just a couple months." Lyra was seated with her hands folded in her lap, and Anneliese was bouncing slightly on the bed where she was sitting, looking nervously between her parents. "I just think that a journey to Serpent Keep is more risk than reward," Anneke said, obviously still uncomfortable with the whole idea. "But I want you girls to feel safe, and I want you to have some agency in this choice."
"The Imperial need for control is so desperate because it is so unnatural. Tyranny requires constant effort. It breaks, it leaks. Authority is brittle. Oppression is the mask of fear. Remember that." -Karis Nemik
Ky had grudgingly gotten used to the idea of staying in the infirmary while she healed. She wanted to go back to her room. But she didn’t feel territorial about the infirmary, so she didn’t mind when people can to check in on her. Besides, this way she didn’t have to know whether there were soldiers outside the door or not — so she pretended that there weren’t. And pretended like she didn't want to crawl into a hole to sulk about her situation.
Ky watched the scene unfold, noticing the little details in body language, and trying to feel out how everyone felt about this. She’d gotten used to the idea of going to Serpent Keep. But she hoped her sisters would come along, too.
"u and rina are systematically watering down the grammar of yws" - Atticus "From the fish mother to the fish death god." - lehmanf "A fish stole my identity. I blame shady" - Omni [they/he]
"You have another three days to decide, which is when your Uncle Gaius and Aunt Sara depart," Anneke added. "Remember, these people aren't targeting you, and they may be gone already. Your father just wants to make sure you're all safe." "I want to go with Ky," Lyra said after a moment. "I'm already decided." Anneliese looked more conflicted, and she said nothing.
"The Imperial need for control is so desperate because it is so unnatural. Tyranny requires constant effort. It breaks, it leaks. Authority is brittle. Oppression is the mask of fear. Remember that." -Karis Nemik
Ky smiled slightly at that. Good. That was relieving to hear.
"u and rina are systematically watering down the grammar of yws" - Atticus "From the fish mother to the fish death god." - lehmanf "A fish stole my identity. I blame shady" - Omni [they/he]
Anneke dipped her head, though she looked a bit disappointed. Tomhas, too, looked concerned with Lyra, but he nodded to her and forced a smile. "That makes that easy, then. Anneliese, do you need some more time?" "Yes, please," Anneliese said quietly, not making eye contact with anyone.
"The Imperial need for control is so desperate because it is so unnatural. Tyranny requires constant effort. It breaks, it leaks. Authority is brittle. Oppression is the mask of fear. Remember that." -Karis Nemik
(Haha Lyra out here like fuck both y’all I’m going home with Gaius — you already sent me away now it’s my turn)
Ky watched them, sensing that there must be some unspoken conflict between the three of them. Had she missed something since the attack? Perhaps they’d been having trouble coming to terms with what had happened.
Either way, she felt bad for Anneliese. Now she would have to be the one with no one her age around, if she chose not to go to Serpent Keep with them. But it was clear she didn’t want to go. Which Ky fully understood.
"u and rina are systematically watering down the grammar of yws" - Atticus "From the fish mother to the fish death god." - lehmanf "A fish stole my identity. I blame shady" - Omni [they/he]
(Sending myself away to where nobody married me off to a monster, rip to y'all but I'm different)
"So Ky," Tomhas said, "We'll get your things packed for you if you want. Anything you want to bring with you. Make a list and I'll have a servant get your bags together."
"The Imperial need for control is so desperate because it is so unnatural. Tyranny requires constant effort. It breaks, it leaks. Authority is brittle. Oppression is the mask of fear. Remember that." -Karis Nemik
“Thank you,” she murmured with a nod. She supposed she hadn’t thought of needing to pack. And she certainly wasn’t used to having servants to do it for her. But she’d probably just upset them if she tried to do it herself, not to mention what a pain it would be. “I appreciate that.”
"u and rina are systematically watering down the grammar of yws" - Atticus "From the fish mother to the fish death god." - lehmanf "A fish stole my identity. I blame shady" - Omni [they/he]
Tomhas dipped his head. "And Aunt Sara and Uncle Gaius have completely agreed to this as well, so there's no issue there." He glanced at Ky. "Would you like us to discuss with with Zander as well?"
"The Imperial need for control is so desperate because it is so unnatural. Tyranny requires constant effort. It breaks, it leaks. Authority is brittle. Oppression is the mask of fear. Remember that." -Karis Nemik
Ky took a deep breath and blew it out. Zander was going to be the obstacle here. She’d intentionally neglected to mention it to him until it was certain. Should she talk to him first? Ask Tomhas to talk to him for her? Ask it be a group meeting much like this one? She didn’t know. “That’s probably a good idea, yes.”
"u and rina are systematically watering down the grammar of yws" - Atticus "From the fish mother to the fish death god." - lehmanf "A fish stole my identity. I blame shady" - Omni [they/he]
Tomhas nodded to her. "Righto; I'll go find him. Before that, though, do any of you have questions for us?" "Is someone gonna kill Ky if she doesn't go to Serpent Keep?" Anneliese asked, raising her head at last. Tomhas and Anneke were silent for a moment. "Hopefully not," Anneke said finally. "But she's decided she feels safer there, so that's where she's going."
"The Imperial need for control is so desperate because it is so unnatural. Tyranny requires constant effort. It breaks, it leaks. Authority is brittle. Oppression is the mask of fear. Remember that." -Karis Nemik
Ky was startled by the question. And then felt guilty. Gods, she hadn’t really considered how heavy this must be weighing upon the children. She assumed they’d be rattled, perhaps worried that they themselves were in danger. It hadn’t really occurred to her that her little siblings were waiting in expectation of her getting killed. It must be such a heavy burden placed on her little shoulders. And Ky wished it wasn’t there.
"u and rina are systematically watering down the grammar of yws" - Atticus "From the fish mother to the fish death god." - lehmanf "A fish stole my identity. I blame shady" - Omni [they/he]
"Mother brings up a good point about travel being dangerous," Lyra mused. "How will Uncle Gaius combat that?" "You know your uncle travels with guards at all times," Tomhas replied. "We'll be supplementing that guard with our own soldiers as well for extra security. Hopefully nobody will try anything so soon after the first attack."
"The Imperial need for control is so desperate because it is so unnatural. Tyranny requires constant effort. It breaks, it leaks. Authority is brittle. Oppression is the mask of fear. Remember that." -Karis Nemik
Ky nodded. “I doubt word has gotten out yet about the others’ failed attempt.”
And, if they did get attacked, then she was going to get herself as far away from the family as possible to make sure they all stayed safe. Aleth hadn’t known about this family when he set up his plan, so it didn’t include spite for others around her. So as long as she wasn’t physically close to them, they likely wouldn’t be in danger. Perhaps she’d insist on riding at the back of the caravan, just in case.
"u and rina are systematically watering down the grammar of yws" - Atticus "From the fish mother to the fish death god." - lehmanf "A fish stole my identity. I blame shady" - Omni [they/he]
