Two Crows Watch from the Gallows Tree (part 6)

Gaius nodded. "The dungeons are at the far end of the hall through several doors and down about six flights of stairs. You'll not be going down there, I think." He had several occupants of cells currently, none of whom were in any fit state to have visitors. One had been there since Septimus was Lord.

(Holy hell just kill them already xD)

“Agreed,” she murmured, nodding. She’d only spent about sixteen hours or so in one before Aleth figured out where she was and came to collect her, but it was more than enough to last her her entire life.

(Gaius would never be that kind to people he thinks deserve to rot in prison)

"To the second floor, then." Gaius exited the dining room.

(Oofta)

Ky followed close behind him, trying, but failing, not to think about the dungeon. Where there people in it? How long had they been there? She couldn’t imagine putting someone somewhere like that. She’d never sleep again while she was responsible for putting someone in a dungeon. She was glad she’d never have to be a Lord.

(I keep wanting to do an oompa loompa song when you say that)

(Careful if you go down there Ky)

Gaius headed up the stairs for the second time that day. "The second floor has a few bedrooms and my study, as well as more parlors, writing rooms, and a map room."

(Hahaha)
(Honestly I can’t foresee her doing that. Her avoidance is strong haha)

“Enough maps for a whole room?” Ky said curiously. She still was reeling at how excessively massive Keeps were. Aleth only had one parlor, and she even thought that was a bit excessive. Why do you need separate rooms to work and to entertain people? It’d be easy to just shove a desk in the corner to save space. And here they had multiple parlors for no apparent reason

(Probably for the best cuz I would need to create some new characters pretty fast)

(Maybe someday)

"Gods, no. All the maps plural are in the library. The map room is for war strategy." They reached the top of the stairs. "It's got one map of the Northern Realm as big as a table, plus a map of the Eastern and Southern Realms. We use different ones for different situations, and we've got wooden pieces to represent troops."

“Oh,” she said sheepishly, blushing a bit. How was she supposed to know that? “That seems handy.”

"If you like maps, though, the library has a few shelves of them on the eastern wall, towards the front." He'd decided he would save the library for last; Ky would probably want to spend all her time before dinner in there and he wanted to finish the tour first. "My study is this door here." He pointed at the set of double doors and opened then to reveal his study, which had a deep green rug sprawling from the door to behind his desk, which sat at the very back of the room in front of a wide glass window. Bookshelves lined the walls and a couple armchairs sat in front of the desk. A decorative suit of ancient armor stood vigil in one corner.

(The armor looks like a proper viking helmet and chainmail, pretty simple design but adorned with golden engravings.)

“Oh, wow,” she murmured, taking it in, gaze lingering on the armor. “This is impressive.”

"Just a study," Gaius said with a shrug. "It changes with each owner but I prefer a functional office, comfortable but not flashy."

Ky nodded, remembering that it was almost impossible to compliment Gaius without upsetting him, so she wasn’t going to push it.

Gaius glanced around at the room. "I believe that's all for this floor, unless you want to see the map room or one of the balconies."

Ky buried her hands in her pockets, as if that’s where she kept her courage. He’d basically offered. But he hadn’t, really. If he wanted to show her, he would have just taken her anyway. She’d be bothering him.

She forced a deep breath, trying to beat down her anxiety. “I mean… I wouldn’t mind seeing the map room… but I also don’t need to,” she added quickly. “Whatever’s easiest. Either way. It doesn’t matter.”

"Let's take a look. It's through this side door." Gaius approached the door with the suit of armor and opened it, leading them into a room large enough to accommodate an enormous square table, which held a map of the same size depicting the Northern Realm. The room was mostly unadorned, and a few wooden figures of serpents, wolves, and caracals were strewn across the map.