Two Crows Watch from the Gallows Tree (part 8)

"The Reputations are absolutely the worst," Emery said fervently. "The. Worst."
"And Lords have enormous ego sometimes," Tristan added. "Not all, but some. And I haven't met King Harold but I bet he has an ego, too."

She glanced at Tristan. He was playing a dangerous game. What if King Harold materialized to punish him. “He seems nice enough.”

"Sure, if you're a noble and you're talking to him. But he keeps slavery legal."

Ky cringed and nodded. “That was very awkward, yes.”

"It's more than awkward," Lily piped up. "It's appalling. I can't imagine living in a place that allows slavery. I'm glad we're in Venholm and not Fledgeholm."

Ky blushed a bit and nodded, unwilling to say anything that even had a hint of a critique of the king, and yet agreeing with her wholeheartedly.

"Why doesn't he stop it?" Tristan wondered aloud.
"Economics," Emery said with a sniff. "Slaves make people money. This place has had slavery for a couple centuries now; they're not letting it go so easily."

Ky nodded. “Yes. That’s what he told me. That he wished everyone outlawed it, but the economics were too important for him to do it himself… awkward.”

"That's bullshit," Tristan said firmly. "Things can be figured out. It might take awhile, but it could be done, right?"

“It’s not my kingdom.” She was blushing harder now, gaze on the ground as she made herself as small as possible. Opinions were dangerous. Especially opinions like this.

"No, but it's still something to be aware of and to take issue with," Emery said. "You have some influence now, Ky. Not a lot, but still some influence."

That felt like a low blow. She didn’t sign up to take on the slave trade — she just clung to the first person to show her a scrap of kindness. She couldn’t help that he was a Lord.

She flushed a bit more. “We’ll see.”

"Yep." Emery nodded. "But you don't need to rush yourself. I was just pointing it out."

Ky nodded. “…I want to become a good noble before I become an opinionated one… but maybe some day.”

"Good noble always comes first," Tristan said firmly. "Kindness is the most important thing, so long as it can be juggled with responsibility."