Two Crows Watch from the Gallows Tree (part 8)

(Sounds good! I look forward to it ^-^)

It made Ky feel even worse, but she appreciated what he was trying to do. She knew he didn’t want her to be cross with Gaius. She’d confronted him after Gaius fessed up, and he’d admitted that it has in fact been Gaius tossing him out rather than his own idea but that he didn’t mind if it meant keeping the peace.

Which is what he was trying to do now.

But it was just a reminder that she didn’t have Tomhas or Anneke now, either.

She last family members who truly wanted her, not just tolerated her on behalf of their baby brother.

“You better send me a list of what you want me to bring you from back home— er, Austraka. Already got coffee on the list.”

Ky smiled weakly.

Gaius thought of offering to have the coffee imported sooner rather than later, then thought better of it. Ky wouldn't appreciate the interjection and she'd probably just get upset at "inconveniencing" him, though it was vey little effort on his part. He'd let that be Zander's gift to her.

“Do you remember how to make the cookies?” Zander asked. Ky lifted an eyebrow, so he continued, “the chocolate ones you like? If you remember the ingredients I could pick them up when I’m down that way. Or I could probably get a list from Lian if you don’t.”

Ky shrugged. She did remember. But she couldn’t very well act excited right after she’d downplayed her affinity for the cookies to Sara. “It’s whatever.”

Zander snorted. “It’s not ‘whatever’, you live for those.”

Ky blushed and glanced guilty at Sara. Was she mad Ky had lied about them not being that good? Hopefully not.

Sara kept her face carefully neutral, fixing her gaze on a bird that had alighted in a tree near the edge of the wall instead.

Zander saw he embarrassed her and decided not to keep pushing. So instead he turned back towards the others.

“Emery, you’re a lovely companion,” Zander said, changing the subject. “That’s the most consecutive days I’ve stayed out of trouble in a long time.”

Humor always fixed things. Well, usually.

Emery smiled genuinely, if a bit sadly. "You've been one of the easiest charges I've ever had. It's been a delight to be your shadow these past few days. I hope I have the privilege to do it again sometime."

Zander glanced at Gaius very briefly, then back at Emery. They’d see how that one worked out. He was fairly certain all of them knew to some degree or another that he wasn’t welcome in Serpent Keep. It wasn’t going to stop him, of course. If he had time and means to come back here before she went back to the Loquiturs, then he was going to. Gaius could lock him in a cell for all he cared — the man wasn’t going to stand between him and Ky. “I’m sure our paths will cross again some day.”

"Let's hope so." Emery glanced at Gaius as well, who gave no reaction whatsoever. Gaius didn't particularly mind it; Emery was his own person. He could make a trip to see Zander if he liked, but he doubted Anneke would let that fly. Tomhas, too. There was still too much tension around Emery in that family.

“Anyhow,” Zander said briskly, once again unwilling to marinate in the awkwardness. He glanced up at the sky. Ky bristled. This was it. He was abandoning her. He glanced at her and had a prick of conscience, and, rather than deal with it, wrapped her in another hug. But this one had more of the classic uncle-ish energy and less sentimentality. “You best write me, kiddo. I want a full account.” His tone was playful. “Swords, library, Nortung — excited to see what you settle on to keep you entertained.”

She just hugged him, focusing on her emotions. Specifically, focusing on keeping them off. She wasn’t going to play his game, and she was going to sound as bitter as she was if she said anything else.

Sara's grip tightened again. Gaius slipped his arm out of hers and looped it around her shoulders instead, and she leaned into him. He could feel her concern--was it guilt? For what?--seeping from her. She must understand why this had to be done, right?

Zander held her for a long moment, then slowly started to pull away.

Ky started to let him, but at the last moment pulled him tighter instead.

He closed his eyes, guilt stabbing through him, and kissed her on the head again as he held her even tighter. She took several deep, shaky breaths. Aggressively refusing to focus on how upset she was and instead trying her damndest to tap into Kyber. He was the only one who could save her face.

She took a moment to solidify her mask, then took a deep breath and swallowed hard and stepped away.

“Love you,” Zander murmured.

She couldn’t talk. Kyber could save her expression and body language, but there wasn’t jackshit he could do if she started talking. So instead she set her jaw and nodded to him once.

He cringed.

Emery winced and Sara glanced away. Gaius gave a small nod and the guards started opening the gate. This was it. He was going, for better or for worse.

There was nothing else he could say to her. So instead he nodded back to her and strode towards his horse.

Her throat constricted.

"Safe travels," Emery called after him, and Gaius could hear the strain in his voice. They all knew this wasn't a happy departure for either of them. He allowed himself a glance toward Ky.

Zander swung himself up to his saddle and nodded to him. “Thanks!”

Ky felt Gaius’a gaze on her but actively didn’t meet it. Didn’t meet anyone’s eyes. Instead she lifted her chin, face drawn and impassive. This was fine. She’d had worse things happen to her. Who even cared at this point? The gods clearly didn’t want her to be happy. The instant Tomhas offered to adopt her, Aleth tried to kill her. The moment Tomhas actually did adopt her, she got stabbed. It was just as well that he was leaving. God only knew if others were going to start getting stabbed if she was happy for too many consecutive minutes.