Two Crows Watch from the Gallows Tree (part 9)

"You my friend, despite how I be. I not want delay if you want me go after Zander. So decide by high sun, please."
"I'll give you two days to decide whether I stay or go," Gaius added reluctantly.

Ky rubbed her face, agonized. She couldn’t look Gaius in the eyes and inform him she’d rather him die than Zander. But she also clearly couldn’t call Rönn off of protecting Zander. Maybe she should tell Gaius to stay. She didn’t particularly care either way — they’d both probably take a deep breath of relief without having to figure out how to interact with each other. But he’d be in danger if he went. It’d be dumb. And he was going to let his man-pride get away from him if she didn’t stop him. She looked back at Rönn. “Do you know anyone else who could protect Gaius if he goes?”

Rönn shook his head. "He bringing guards, that his best bet. Not many friendly out there. Some trolls, little peoples--only sometimes friendly--maybe one or two cursed. But I travel far to talk to them, that not work out."

Ky sighed and looked at Gaius. “I can’t not ask him to go with Zander. He’s by himself.”

Gaius dipped his head. "I understand. I've gotten by without Rönn before, don't worry."

Ky took a deep breath and sighed, nodding.

"Then I'll depart in a week. If I have a week." He looked to Rönn. "Another question--how fast and violent will the trolls be once the gods wake?"
"Depend on how long til they wake. Too soon and everything go crazy. If they wake during long night maybe less worry, that maybe far enough away."

Ky needed to get to Tomhas before then. To warn him. Anneke. To give them each a last hug before they ended up massacred if they refused to go South. Maybe she’d just wait until Gaius left, so Ada would be gone and not rat on her, and then she’d start.

"And if they wake now, will it be as bad as when they went silent?" he asked.
"Worse, much worse." Rönn grimaced. "Stories tell about that night long time, always. This worse if they wake too soon. Trolls worry and angry so much they go blind and rush around like fools."

“…so how do we keep them asleep?” Ky asked.

"They gods," Rönn scoffed. "No stopping them once they wanting something."

She sighed. “So we just wait around until the trolls massacre us?”

"Maybe they not this time," he pointed out.

“Maybe.” She wasn’t so hopeful.

"I make journey to Builder as soon as he wake, though," Rönn said firmly. "If I not with Zander then that where I go."