Two Crows Watch from the Gallows Tree (part 6)

Ky cracked a grin, imagining what that must have been like for her, witnessing the shitshow of this family’s history. The stories she must have. “I can’t imagine Gaius ever being young.”

He wasn’t even that old. Zander was about the same age — maybe a year or two older, who knew? — but whereas he’d stayed twelve, Gaius had already turned sixty. And Ky wasn’t sure she believed that he’d been born as anything other than a grumpy, solemn old man.

"Oh, he was a wee thing." She held out a hand at about hip height. "Spent hours and hours in here from the moment he learned to read. Always so full of questions." Her smile faded. "He got very quiet after a couple years, though."

Ky cringed sympathetically. “I’m sure that was hard to watch.”

Yet another thing she couldn’t imagine— a talkative Gaius. He was always so quiet it made her anxious. At this point, she half felt like he was just fucking with her. But that probably wasn’t fair. He was just quiet and she was anxious and the traits weren’t complementary.

"It's always difficult to see people change," Ingrid sighed. "And he just wasted away. I still don't understand that." She took a deep breath. "I shouldn't gossip about him; he's my employer and I have a lot of respect for him."

“Of course.” Ky dipped her head, not wanting to push her luck still. “It’s extremely clear you care about this family and their—“ our? “Well being and happiness. I’m sure you have a special place in his heart as well.”

"Oh." Ingrid shook her head. "I'm just a librarian, dear. You can throw a stone anywhere and hit one of us in this Keep."

“I’ve been reliably informed no one is ‘just’ anything,” she said with a little smirk. But she sobered a bit to make her authenticity clear. “But I’m sure you helped more than you know. My best friend in this entire world was ‘just’ a slave but he got me through hell I couldn’t have managed on my own. It matters to have someone show you kindness, even if they can’t fix your problems for you.”

"That's very mature of you," Ingrid said approvingly. "You seem to have a good head on your shoulders." She hesitated. "Your friend was a slave?"

Ky nodded. “He was, but he’s not anymore. He’s here, too — Tadaaki — and his wife Aashi and their daughter Tasia.”

"I'll keep an eye out for them." She dipped her head. "Are they likely to visit the library?"

Ky hesitated. “They can’t read, yet. But they want me to teach them. So I imagine we’ll be in here at least a little.” Ky smirked slightly, remembering Tasia’s obsession. “I would put money on you being asked for frog books. The little girl has a bit of an addiction.”

"I'd be delighted to help out! Is she looking for nonfiction or frog stories?" Ingrid asked.

“I’m sure she’d love either,” Ky said thoughtfully. “But she’s only four. So I imagine stories are more her speed currently.”

"I'll speak to one of the Talemasters about it," Ingrid assured her.

“Talemaster?” Ky repeated, absolutely delighted.