Two Crows Watch from the Gallows Tree (part 5)

No. No she didn’t. But she couldn’t make it alone, and it’d be easier on her pride to accept help now than to get negative attention after she hurt herself for refusing.

“Thank you.” She started to reach out her hand to take his arm, then realized it wouldn’t do shit if she did that. Her arm felt like it was falling off as it was. She wouldn’t be able to bear putting weight on it if she did start to fall. So she awkwardly, slowly turned her other side towards him.

Tomhas got the message and took her other arm, letting her lean on him. "You should get some fluid in you," he said quietly. "Water, tea, something. You shouldn't be this dizzy the next morning."

“You’re probably right,” she murmured, shuffling forward with his help. “I had been on my way, to, well, I mean.” She blushed a tiny bit, but it was faint. Her body didn’t have the blood to spare for her embarrassment. “I mean, it’s not that bad. But, it, um, hurts? A little? And, um, well, I mean, it’s not that bad. But uh… it might be nice to…”

Why was asking for help so difficult? For admitting she was in pain? It felt obscene.

"Once we sit down do you want me to grab you something for the pain?" Tomhas kept his gait at the same pace as hers, by no means wanting to rush her. He wondered just how bad the wound had been.

“I mean… I don’t want to be a bother. It’s not that bad…” She took a shaky breath. She needed to stop. Needed to learn to shut up and accept kindness. “… but maybe? Yeah?”

"Okay." Tomhas nodded slightly. "How strong? Enough to knock out a horse or just a mouse?"

“Hah!” She smiled weakly. “Maybe like a mid-sized dog? I… I think it went most of the way through. And I kind of accidentally hit my arm on the wall. So it… it doesn’t feel great.” She looked down, being sure she wasn’t about to stumble over anything. Except her words. And she was trying to minimize that. “But I haven’t really, um, ever had much medicine?” She hadn’t needed it as a child. She hadn’t been given it once she did need it. “So I don’t really know how much is appropriate.”

Tomhas huffed, unable to contain his anger at that. "I'll talk to Laura about it," he muttered. "Gods. Are there any redeemable qualities about that bastard at all?"

Ky tensed at his anger, then realized he was mad at Aleth, not her. “I mean… he let me go into the market three or four times as a reward when I did well and I think he would have let me go more but I accidentally got into a fight with the official’s son… And, um… I mean I learned a lot… but not really… no…”

Tomhas's fists clenched. That shouldn't have been the only good thing in her life during that time. She should have had so many wonderful experiences and learned more than just what made her master happy. "Ky, what would you think about staying at Serpent Keep for a couple months?" he asked after a pause. "With Anneliese, Lyra, Oscar, and Peter along with you. Raina would have to stay here with her mother, but I want the five of you out of harm's way. That's the most secure place I can think of--just until the situation is resolved and we're sure there's no one else coming after you."

Ky hesitated a long moment. She wanted to tell him her plan to run away. Tell him there was no point in making plans for her because she wasn’t going to be here. But, then, he might try to stop her if he knew.

“If you think that’s best,” she murmured at last. She couldn’t keep the anxiety in. “I just— I don’t want them targeting there because of me. I wouldn’t be able to live with myself if they hurt one of your kids because of me.”

"Nobody gets in or out of Gaius's Keep without his say so," Tomhas assured her. "It's entirely up to you whether you stay here or go there. If you think you're in enough danger to warrant extra security, you should go to Serpent Keep. If not, we'll keep you here at home and try to tread extra careful."

Ky took a deep breath, then nodded. There really was no winning this. If she stayed here, she put her new parents and brand new baby sister in danger. If she went there she endangered the rest of them. Perhaps she’d agree to go and then use it as her opportunity to slip away. It’d be easier than trying to sneak out of the Keep, no doubt. “… what about Tadaaki?”

"Tadaaki decides for his family, I think, but they're all welcome at Caracal Keep and Serpent Keep, I'm sure. I'm going to talk it over with Gaius when I go upstairs and see if he's willing to take you in for a little while, if that's what you decide."

Ky nodded. “Can I… think about it?”