Two Crows Watch from the Gallows Tree (part 6)

She felt like Ruh and Zander would get along swimmingly. They were both overprotective.

“It’s fine, I’m like two steps from the Keep.” Exaggeration, as usual. “Did you remember the rest of your name?”

The Marrow Man hesitated. "No." He raised his head, narrowing his eyes at the forms of Gaius and Emery up on the wall. "Why they here?"

Emery was as still as Gaius had ever seen him. He was barely moving, barely breathing as he watched the cryptid move and speak. His crossbow trembled in his hands.
Gaius himself was in awe; hearing the voice was nothing compared to seeing him. The strangeness of the body proportions was particularly jarring, with the goat's head and legs tacked onto a human body. He was thankful for all the hair, though even from up here he could see it didn't hide the groin. Wasn't he cold under that meager cloak? Apparently not.

“They wanted to make sure I stayed safe til you got here,” Ky answered, disappointed that he didn’t remember his name. “It’s okay. They won’t hurt you. I promise.”

"That Ash." He pointed up at Gaius, who jerked where he stood. Had he done something wrong? Was the Marrow Man angry? "He give me deer?"

“He did,” Ky confirmed with a nod. “He appreciates that you helped me. That you’re helping me. He said we can keep throwing deer over sometimes so you don’t have to be so hungry.”

The Marrow Man stared up at Gaius, then gave him a curt nod. "That very, very nice. Tell him thank you and I help him maybe." He eyed the medicine in her hands. "I keep bracelet." He held up his wrist.

Ky grinned broadly at that, beyond thrilled to see him wearing it. “I’m glad you like it! I wasn’t sure if you liked bracelets.”

"It fit good, and very sweet. But I not want blood on it..." he had almost damaged it last night when he caught a straggling wolf.

Ky nodded. She had no solution to offer him. “… I mean, if something does happen to it I can always just make you another, I don’t mind.”

She smiled. This was nice. Now they knew she was telling the truth. Well, Gaius already believed her. But now he could see Ruh with his own eyes. Hear how nice he was.

Zander was pacing anxiously next to the door, listening, and knowing he could do exactly nothing. He’d almost gone out as soon as he heard the voice, but Pratik stopped him. It’d put Ky in more danger if any of them startled Ruh when he was near to her. Nevermind the danger to themselves. Pratik was very still and very silent as he stood next to the door and listened as hard as he could.

"People smell all over," he said after a pause. "Some gone, some here. Who you tell, Ky Ruiarc?"

“Just a few people.” She cringed, hoping he wouldn’t be angry. “My uncles, Gaius and Zander Medeiros. And then Pratik Chrenko. And, uh, Emery… Rand?” She wasn’t sure about that, but she thought she remembered. “That’s kind of, um…”

She suddenly felt very embarrassed trying to lead into this.

“They’re all trying to protect me, too,” she explained. “And, um, well, I… I want to be sure you know what they all look like, so you all know you’re working together and not against each other. You all want to keep me safe. You’re friends.”

"I see two up on wall." He scanned it. "No more. Where are others?"

“They’re by the door.” Ky turned slightly and pointed. “They want to meet you, if you’re willing. But I understand if not. It’s your choice. They’ll stay inside if you want them to… but they wanna meet you if you’re okay with that.”

He squinted at the door, sniffing. "They not chasing me off? No tricks from them?"

“No tricks,” Ky assured him. “I told them how nice you are. They just want to meet you. Nothing else. I promise.”