Two Crows Watch from the Gallows Tree (part 6)

“No doubt!” she agreed, thrilled to finally have someone who understood the utter shock she was going through at all this. Not someone who had grown up with it or who was on first name basis with the king. “They gave me a ton of presents — all of them — for the ceremony, right? And I feel like I shouldn’t touch a single one for fear of breaking them. It’s startlingly generous.”


“He doesn’t trust us,” Pratik countered. “But he does trust Sera. And he pities people like us… like you…” Gaius didn’t feel a single drop of pity for Pratik, he was sure. And that was fine. He didn’t need anyone’s pity. The only thing he demanded was respect — for himself and his autonomy. Which Gaius gave, with the exception of his poetry, and he’d gotten an apology for that one. “It will all work out. I’m sure of it.”

"Presents? Ooh, what sorts?" He leaned forward. "I bet Gaius got you books."

"He wouldn't have taken in the others if he didn't," Rickard reasoned. "I think they all had it worse than I ever did, though...except maybe Ivar. Why should he add one more mouth to feed?"

“He did! This very very old one,” Ky confirmed. “An original text by (she would remember the author but I do not). And Sara got me this wonderful fur set that was so, so wonderful.” She sighed softly. At least she’d gotten to experience it for half an hour or so. “And Tomhas and Ka’Nor got me this absolutely wonderful sword.”


“Why shouldn't he?” Pratik countered. “You’ve seen this place. The man isn’t on the verge of bankruptcy. It’s basic human decency to help along those who have had it the absolute worst in the world.”

(The Tarala Talia)

"That sounds absolutely fabulous," Emery said with a grin. "What sort of sword is it? A saber, a shortsword, a rapier? How are you with it?"

"I suppose so. It just seems a shame to waste it on someone who can't really appreciate it all properly."
The door opened and Sera stepped out. Rickard's head jerked up and he tensed, then relaxed as he saw who it was. She grinned at him.
"You're welcome to stay as long as you please," she told him. Rickard blinked at her, brow furrowing.
"How...what..."

(Thanks! I don’t know why that doesn’t stick. Her best friend as a child was named Talia so you’d think I’d remember haha)

“A short sword! It’s so intricate — the worksmanship is unparalleled.” Ky grinned sheepishly. “And I am absolutely terrible. It’s far better than I deserve. But with any luck some day I might be worthy of it. Just got to keep practicing… once I can.” Ky rubbed her arm gently. It was feeling mostly better by now, but there was no chance in the world Sera would clear her before the stitches came out, and even less chance Gaius would sanction lessons until she was cleared by Sera.


Pratik grinned at that, glad to have solid evidence that proved him right. He clapped Rickard on the shoulder. “There you have it!”

(Aw that's cute!)

"Well, I now some people who are absolutely fantastic swordsmen," Emery replied. "Captain Bay is one; and there are some ladies in the army that are excellent as well. Unmatched except maybe by Tomhas's fancy fellow."

Rickard flinched as Pratik's hand connected with his shoulder and drew back slightly, but he managed a shocked smile. "But...why?"
"Why not?" Sera asked. "I had a word with him, told him a bit about you and your life. He said he has a lot of respect for a man who can survive so long in those conditions, Rickard. He admires your perseverance." Rickard's face was flushed.
"I-I-I should go thank him," he stuttered. "I don't deserve this. I'm in his debt, Sera. And yours, and Pratik's..."

(Haha thanks! Yeah, Talia is Myrond’s daughter, who is who Aleth threatens when he can’t find Petrir to keep Ky in line)

“I’ve heard,” Ky said with a smile. “Tomhas thinks Gaius might be okay with me taking lessons while I’m here… I wouldn’t want to be a bother of course!”

Zander was slowly, painfully, getting used to keeping himself appearing neutral as Ky ripped his heart out again and again and again with her trauma. Ky used to be on par with Tasia’s enthusiasm, never considering the fact that she might be bothering people. Which she never did, of course. Everyone loved her. Everyone still loved her. But she was as blind to that now as she used to be blind to the possibility of her being annoying. He hated this for her. Hated Aleth more than words could describe.


“No debt to be had on my end.” Pratik shook his head, still grinning. “I’m just glad that you were in the right place at the right time.”

And that he was stubborn enough to ignore Roland and Ada’s protests. He absolutely made the right call here. Which he knew all along. And now everyone else knew that, too, hopefully. And if not, well, he still wasn’t sorry. And he never would be.

(Ack is she okay though??)

"I bet you wouldn't be. Bay needs to loosen up and training is a great way to do it! I'm sure Gaius will introduce you to some potential teachers eventually; he's good at staying on top of things."

"And you'll all join the family for dinner?" Sera asked, looking at the three of them. Rickard hesitated; that wasn't something he was particularly inclined toward. He had taken his food up to the infirmary for the past few weeks and wasn't eager to sit down at a table--a noble's table no less--and eat with a large group of people.

(I… am not actually sure xP sort of dropped her from the storyline, but probably not… she got kidnapped alongside Ky, and did not, in fact, escape the King’s harem. So Aleth took Ky, beat the fuck out of her and started on her abdomen, but after a few weeks she’d recovered enough he ‘gave her a chance’ to behave and translate a letter for him. She pretended she couldn’t. He said she didn’t get to eat until she did. Three days later he’s impatient and brings in Myrond and is like ‘I’m going to hurt this man if you don’t behave’ and she’s like ‘I don’t know who that is’ and so Aleth is like ‘oh, so you don’t mind if I flog him, then?’ and Ky can’t stomach it so she physically intervenes and takes the flogging instead. And then learns Petrir is dead. So Tadaaki carries her up to her room and she gets desperate and breaks the mirror and slashes her wrist but they heard her break it so they got her saved in time. But her entire will to live was gone. So then Aleth brought in Talia and was like ‘if you kill yourself then I’ll make Talia be my assistant instead and I’ll treat her even worse than I treat you’ and that’s what coerces Ky into staying alive in cannon — so really not too far off from this haha)

“I’d certainly appreciate it,” Ky said with a smile, then looked at Zander. “Maybe they’ll let you take lessons too?”

Zander smiled at her. “We’ll see. I’m pretty contented with my skills.”


“We’d be honored,” Pratik answered. Ada could argue if she wanted to. Hell, Rickard could, too. But at the very least Pratik had offered to make the decision for him.


(In cannon Zander is literally the best swordsman most people know. Has a Reputation. And absolutely lets his nieces think he doesn’t know anything at all about fighting haha)

(Oh my god that's so sad, those poor kids
I wanna revive Aleth now just to show him how many friends she has and then the Marrow Man can drag him off to hell)

"Oh, you're not a swordsman?" Emery raised his eyebrows. "Could've fooled me. You've certainly got the physique for it."

Ada hadn't understood a word Sera had said but got the idea that Rickard would be staying. She was delighted by that; he deserved and needed a safe space to get his bearings.
"Will you be there?" Rickard asked. He didn't think he could go if Sera wasn't there; she'd become his support system. She was patient, she never raised her voice, but she was sensible and let him know what he needed to do.
Sera nodded. "I'll be there, yes."
"Then I'll go." He gave her a small smile and Sera returned it.

(Hahaha yes pls Gaius first, of course ; ) everyone gets a blow at Aleth this time hahah)

Zander considered him for a moment, trying to balance the truth with what he was willing for Ky to know. He would have thought she’d have put the pieces together after seeing what he did to Nyler, but he was honestly glad she hadn’t. He’d like to stay Harmless Doting Uncle Zander in her mind for the rest of his life. He didn’t need to know she had two ruthless uncles instead of just one… well… and Derik, but, well, this was all very complicated figuring out how many uncles she had. But if he could stay soft in her mind, he wanted to.

“I can hold my own, when the case calls,” Zander said vaguely, flashing a grin. “But I much prefer to talk my way out, if that’s an option.”


Pratik glanced at Ada, belatedly remembering she couldn’t understand the language. “You’re invited to dinner. The three of us will be going.”

(100%)

"Definitely the safer option for all parties involved," Emery agreed. "But it doesn't always work. I tend to piss people off with all my chatter."

"I guess I'll come along," Ada said with a shrug. She was curious about these new arrivals and the best way to learn about them was to go to dinner. "Rickard's staying, then?"

(Haha yeah you know this is making me think of Zander would handle it. I cannot fathom him torturing someone, but also he is as angry in cannon as he is here haha but they tag team it with Zander physically getting Ky away then they send Jerica to kill Aleth and she throws a fit and is like ‘I have a SISTER I wanna BE HERE FOR THIS’ and her boss is like ‘and he hurt your sister. You gotta let him get away with that?’ And Jerica is like ‘ffs’ and goes and kills Aleth and saves Tadaaki haha so Aleth is dead before anyone knows what he did to Ky. Legit dunno what Zander would have done if he knew)

“Happens to the best of us,” Zander said with a smirk. “I tend to keep moving so the consequences of me running my mouth can’t catch up.”


Pratik decided to let Rickard speak for himself, and instead turned back to Sera. “Ada’s coming as well.”

(Jerica is a badass)

"I've lived in maybe three places my whole life, so I'm afraid I'm not much of a wanderer." He seemed ruefully. "What do you do for a living, to piss so many people off?"

"Wonderful."
"He said I could stay," Rickard confirmed. "I'm going to stay!"
"That's great." Ada grinned at him. "See, Pratik said everything would turn out fine."

(I can’t wait for you to meet her haha this RP has helped me a LOT in finding Ky’s voice but before this Jerica was my baby haha)

“I mean, I’d like to think pissing people off is what I do for a living,” Zander laughed. “But I’m a messenger, of sorts. Good at keeping things up here.” He tapped his head. “So you don’t have to worry about it getting intercepted.”


Pratik turned back towards them, also grinning. “We love to see it.”