Two Crows Watch from the Gallows Tree (part 6)

Ky was glad to see that she already had so many built in friends. They weren’t her age, and yet that didn’t seem to matter anymore. She couldn’t relate to normal adults. But freed slaves? She could make friends regardless of age. They already had a lot in common. They could understand at a visceral level what others never could. Ky kept smiling and nodded, glancing between all of them.

“What’s happened?” Tadaaki murmured.

“I have made new friends,” Ky said proudly.

Tadaaki chuckled. “Of that, I have no doubt.”

Ivar and Imali both looked to Tadaaki in curiosity. Rickard kept silent and started in on his frighteningly extravagant meal.

“This is Tadaaki,” Ky explained in Rhaebaki when she caught the quizzical stares. She couldn’t explain in Nortung, but she put her hand on Tadaaki’s shoulder, hoping Ivar could understand that she was going through introductions. “He’s my best friend.” Tadaaki couldn’t speak a lick of Rhaebaki and had no idea what was being said, but Zander smiled a bit at that. Ky went on, leaning forward to point at Aashi. “That’s his wife, Aashi. And their daughter, Tasia.”

“That’s me!” Tasia said excitedly in Upper Tongue, looking around in an attempt to understand what was going on.

Ky gestured at Zander next. “This is my uncle, Zander.”

“It’s a pleasure to meet you,” Zander said with a smile and a nod.

Ky blinked at him. She didn’t have any idea he could speak Rhaebaki.

Imali dipped her head to him and Tadaaki.
Ivar eyed Tadaaki. "He seems like a man of great strength and an even mind," he said to Rickard. "I should like to know him better." Rickard paused in his eating to relay this.

Tadaaki blushed and smiled, pleased. He nodded to Ivar, then looked back at Rickard. “I’d like that as well.”

Ky grinned, perhaps even bigger than Tadaaki, thoroughly delighted that he was making friends, too. And in Ivar, of all people. Ky expected she’d struggle to pick up Nortung — at least pronunciation if nothing else. And Tadaaki struggled learning languages in general. But she’d do her best to help as much as she could, once she learned.

"Is he a warrior?" Ivar asked. Rickard glanced at Tadaaki.
"He'd like to know if you're a warrior," he told him.

“Oh, uh, heh, no…” Tadaaki dropped his gaze, blushing a bit, embarrassed. No, he wasn’t. He was a coward that ran at the slightest hint of danger and had to be rescued by a crippled old man.

“But you’re going to learn.” Ky put her hand on his shoulder again, looking at him until he reluctantly met her gaze. “You’re going to take swordsmanship lessons, too, and you’re super strong and super good at picking up new skills and—“

“I am not,” he muttered.

“You are too,” Ky argued. “You’re incredible, and I won’t tolerate hearing anyone say anything less of you, including you.”

“Hypocrite,” he scoffed.

Yes, yes she was. “This isn’t about me, this is about you. And the fact that you’ll learn to be a fearsome warrior in less time that it takes me to learn Nortung. You’ll be excellent at fighting before you know it.”

Tadaaki was blushing even more, now, but looked back at Rickard shyly. “…I am going to take lessons while I’m here… but I know nothing now.”

(Wow a ringing endorsement for Gaius from Tadaaki)

Rickard told Ivar this, and Ivar gave a nod of approval. "I will teach him," the Northman said. "The settlers fight politely; I will show him the way a son of winter battles."

(Hahaha his man-pride got bruised)

“Oof, that’s gonna hurt,” Ky laughed. “Good luck.”

It already hurt, and she was nearly certain Ka’Nor pulled his blows when he realized she wasn't going to block in time. It still hurt and left bruises, but wasn’t near as bad as it could have been. Ivar did not give her the impression of a man that played nice.

Tadaaki snorted and gave her a sideward glance, then looked back at Rickard. “Please tell him thank you. I appreciate it. And I’m at his service as well, if there’s anything I can do for him.”

Rickard relayed this, and Ivar dipped his head but made no response.

“Okay, so, teaching Upper,” Ky recapped, gesturing at May and Ivar, then looked at Rickard. “And reading.” She gestured down the line of Tadaaki’s family as well. “And learning Nortung,” she looked back at Rickard, then nodded towards Imali. “And learning to read Rhaebaki.”

“Teach me to talk to Ua!” Tasia demanded.

Ky looked at her for a moment, then shrugged. “Yeah, sure, why not?”

“Yay!” Tasia clapped her hands excitedly.

Ky smiled and turned back towards Rickard. “Was there anything else I’m missing?”

Rickard shook his head. "No, miss, I don't think so. This is all very, very generous of you."

“Not at all.” Ky shook her head, refusing the thanks. “It’s self-serving, really, so I can have more friends for myself.”

That statement didn’t hold water. It didn’t explain why she’d teach the four of them how to read, or why she’d be willing to teach May and Ivar Upper. She hesitated, and a sideward glance from Zander was all it took to call her on her bullshit.

“Okay, fine,” she allowed. “But it’s really not a big deal. No trouble at all.”

She smiled, actually meaning that statement. It’d make her feel useful. She liked feeling useful.

Rickard returned the smile with a tiny bit more confidence than before.

Ky nodded, satisfied with this plan.

“Sounds like you’re gonna be busy,” Zander said with a smile, thoroughly approving of this whole plan. She needed something to distract her. And she’d always been the kind of person to apply herself 110% if someone else was relying on her to be able to do something. With any luck she’d be so focused on starting her own school, basically, that she wouldn’t have time to brood about her situation and having to be here in the first place.

Ky smiled at him, then deflated as she realized he wasn’t going to be here for any of it whatsoever. How many more dinners did they have together? Probably not many. She couldn’t imagine Gaius letting him stay more than another day or two, if he hated him this much.

“And when I come back, you can teach me everything you know,” Zander continued, seeing the disappointment that washed across her features. “I’ve never been good at Nortung. And I want to see you show off your fancy new sword.”

“That thing is entirely too pretty to use,” Ky said firmly.