Of Crows and Songbirds

“I don’t know much about him, sir,” she said very quietly. “Once when Borrond was asking if he could execute me, and once when he was giving me to Aleth. I did my best to stay out of sight otherwise, sir. I didn’t want to be recognized.”

"I'll look into him," Gaius replied. "The Taral needs to get his governors under control."

“Please, sir!” She shook her head rapidly. Gods. Gods, this was — why would she tell him this? Things would get worse. So, so much worse. And all her friends were still trapped there. She didn’t want things to get worse for them.

"Why not?" His brow furrowed. "Your name won't be mentioned, if that's what you're worried about."

“If you make him angry he’ll just— he’ll— he’ll hurt them.” She looked at him pleadingly. “Please. My friends are still there. Please.”

"Then we get your friends out," he said with a shrug.

Ky blinked. This man was crazy.

Perhaps she shouldn’t have told him.

He was going to go off half-cocked and anger Makata and ruin her friends’ lives even worse.

Gods.

"I'll do some research, get in touch with some people, and see if I can do anything without politically overstepping."

“…yes sir.” She dipped her head.

Gods.

They reached the fifth floor. "Is there anything else you wish for me to know?"

“I…” she took a deep breath, considering. She blushed a little. “Lied about having a bad memory; I have a very good one. I can tell you whatever you like about Aleth’s operations. And… I can send letters disguised as from him if you like. I know all his codes. And most contacts are used to my hand writing. So… I can be useful. Earn my keep.”

"That could be useful," he mused. "I won't ask you to do anything just yet but I could certainly use your skills."

“Yessir.” Ky ducked her head. She figured. Most people could use her skills.

(Ky: I can be useful
Tomhas: absolutely not, stop it, be lazy
Gaius: Ohoho)

(A man with a plan)

They reached her room. "You're sure you don't want Emery?" he asked her. "You'll be stuck here til dinner otherwise."

“Um…” she didn’t know. Now that she’d spilled her guts, what was the harm? It’s not like there was any secret left to tell that was more catastrophic than the one she just had dropped on Ash. She’d need to be less careful.

Only. That wasn’t true.

She still had to be on her very, very best behavior. She knew she was on thin ice; she didn’t want it to break and plunge her into a dungeon cell.

But she’d been bored out of her mind the past few weeks with nothing to do. No one to talk to. Nothing to read. And she didn’t have any of those things in her room now, either.

And. Well.

She didn’t know what she was supposed to say.