Ky frowned at him, considering it. He couldn't just tell her not to argue with him, if he was going to insist on being wrong. "How far have you gone before?"
"u and rina are systematically watering down the grammar of yws" - Atticus "From the fish mother to the fish death god." - lehmanf "A fish stole my identity. I blame shady" - Omni [they/he]
"To capital city of settlers. Not into city but in villages, rich peoples fat and tasty." He winced and looked at her sheepishly. "No more eating peoples for me. Bad."
"The Imperial need for control is so desperate because it is so unnatural. Tyranny requires constant effort. It breaks, it leaks. Authority is brittle. Oppression is the mask of fear. Remember that." -Karis Nemik
"No more eating people," she agreed with a nod. "But no hurting yourself, either. If I can't hurt myself then you can't hurt yourself. It's only fair."
"u and rina are systematically watering down the grammar of yws" - Atticus "From the fish mother to the fish death god." - lehmanf "A fish stole my identity. I blame shady" - Omni [they/he]
"Fair," he agreed. "But you not live as long as I live. I tired, Ky. Very tired." He paused. "I guess I live for you, though, if you want. But I not protect your uncle if I not follow him south. You understand?"
"The Imperial need for control is so desperate because it is so unnatural. Tyranny requires constant effort. It breaks, it leaks. Authority is brittle. Oppression is the mask of fear. Remember that." -Karis Nemik
Ky wrapped her arms around her knees and pulled them close to her chest. She was basically just a blob of coats and furs at this point and looked very, very young. She considered the choice for a moment.
It was horrible.
Did she choose Zander or Rönn?
Of course, she'd have to pick Zander. But... well... she couldn't live with herself if she knew that she was the reason Rönn was dead. Especially given the fact that Zander might survive on his own. And given the fact that if something did happen to Rönn, then Zander would be on his own anyway -- and then she may lose them both at once.
"I understand," she said at last. She didn't like it. But, as Aleth always said, the universe doesn't care about what she did or didn't like. Her job was just to show up and shut up. She supposed it was solid advice now.
"u and rina are systematically watering down the grammar of yws" - Atticus "From the fish mother to the fish death god." - lehmanf "A fish stole my identity. I blame shady" - Omni [they/he]
"So what I do? Hm? I go or I see him to edge and come back, what you want?"
"The Imperial need for control is so desperate because it is so unnatural. Tyranny requires constant effort. It breaks, it leaks. Authority is brittle. Oppression is the mask of fear. Remember that." -Karis Nemik
She furrowed her brow. Gods. Another decision. She didn't want to make it. And yet she didn't want anyone else to make it, either. In case they made a decision she didn't like.
And yet she didn't know what that would be.
Only, deep in her gut, she did know.
"Just to the border," she decided at last, voice quiet. "I won't lose you both."
"u and rina are systematically watering down the grammar of yws" - Atticus "From the fish mother to the fish death god." - lehmanf "A fish stole my identity. I blame shady" - Omni [they/he]
He sat back with a small sigh. "I do as you say. But I ask Zander also what he think."
"The Imperial need for control is so desperate because it is so unnatural. Tyranny requires constant effort. It breaks, it leaks. Authority is brittle. Oppression is the mask of fear. Remember that." -Karis Nemik
Ky gasped softly and nodded. She hadn't considered that option. "That's a good idea!"
She'd feel better about things, letting Zander have a say in the matter of whether he had someone watching his back or not. Even though she suspected that he'd make the same choice that she was. If Zander truly believed that Rönn was one of the good guys, then he'd absolutely send him back to guard Ky rather than bringing him along.
"u and rina are systematically watering down the grammar of yws" - Atticus "From the fish mother to the fish death god." - lehmanf "A fish stole my identity. I blame shady" - Omni [they/he]
"Then I ask him. You rest easy, yes?" He tilted his head.
"The Imperial need for control is so desperate because it is so unnatural. Tyranny requires constant effort. It breaks, it leaks. Authority is brittle. Oppression is the mask of fear. Remember that." -Karis Nemik
Ky took a deep breath and let it out slowly, nodding. That reminded her of how tired she was. "Easier, yes."
"u and rina are systematically watering down the grammar of yws" - Atticus "From the fish mother to the fish death god." - lehmanf "A fish stole my identity. I blame shady" - Omni [they/he]
"Good. And no worrying about me or Zander or trolls or Stone Mother. Everything okay, okay?"
"The Imperial need for control is so desperate because it is so unnatural. Tyranny requires constant effort. It breaks, it leaks. Authority is brittle. Oppression is the mask of fear. Remember that." -Karis Nemik
"No." Ky shook her head. What an absurd thing to say. "Everything is not okay."
"u and rina are systematically watering down the grammar of yws" - Atticus "From the fish mother to the fish death god." - lehmanf "A fish stole my identity. I blame shady" - Omni [they/he]
"The Imperial need for control is so desperate because it is so unnatural. Tyranny requires constant effort. It breaks, it leaks. Authority is brittle. Oppression is the mask of fear. Remember that." -Karis Nemik
"I don't know things are okay," she argued. "Because they're not. Nothing is okay about any of this. I don't like it."
"u and rina are systematically watering down the grammar of yws" - Atticus "From the fish mother to the fish death god." - lehmanf "A fish stole my identity. I blame shady" - Omni [they/he]
