Two Crows Watch from the Gallows Tree (part 9)

(Awww poor guy — you’re so mean to him haha)

Ky realized she was trembling, ever so slightly, and quickly resumed walking in hopes he wouldn’t notice. Maybe a bit too fast, even. Gods. This was hard to balance her anxiety and holding Gaius at the same time. “Yeah. Hopefully… it will be fine.” It definitely wouldn’t.

(Guilty as charged)

They were nearing the fifth floor now. "If it doesn't like humans then it certainly won't come near the Keep. Besides, this place has withstood countless sieges."

“Led by giant trolls?” she asked skeptically, then realized it was an asshole thing to say. Gaius was very, very proud of his Keep. She shouldn’t be doubting it. At least not out loud. “…sorry.”

"You make a good point." He glanced up at the stairs and sighed. "I'd say we should pray, but nobody's listening."

Ky nodded and grumbled under her breath, “they wouldn’t help if they were.”

"I agree." He frowned. "Aren't we the lucky ones to have the wrathful gods who decided to take a nap for six hundred years."

Be luckier if they didn’t exist at all. “I suppose so.”

"The East has no gods, at least not in Ess. No official religion." He huffed. "I'm not sure I'd mind that. Pity the Reputations are such dictators."

Ky nodded, hesitating on the landing to see if he needed a break again. “If there aren’t gods, there are always men willing to play god.”

"Very true." He glanced at her. "Let's push forward; I can sit down when we get there." He wasn't sure he wanted to, especially on his father's bed.

She dipped her head obediently and started forward again.

He took some of his weight off of her and shifted to the cane now that they were on flat ground.

She didn't pull away, waiting to see if he wanted a little support still or not. "I kind of want to see it but I almost hope we can't, so it means it stayed away."

"I would like very much to see it, so long as it doesn't take my Keep down." He gestured to the door at the end of the hall. "We'll be going there. It's the master bedroom."

Ky glanced down the hall, continuing with a steady pace now. "You don't stay in the master bedroom?"