Of Crows and Songbirds

“There are a lot of places ‘downstairs’ from us,” he said dryly.


Ky sprang to her feet as well, staring at Ash with wide, panicked eyes. She didn’t want to rush him like Emery was doing. No. She wanted to run away.

But what would that do?

Absolutely nothing.

A library would be an absolutely humiliating place to get cornered.

Not to mention it’d make her look even guiltier. Make her fate that much worse. Running always made things worse. Always.

So she stayed frozen in place, horrified. Her gaze flicked over his shoulder. Bay wasn’t with him — gods did he get Tadaaki? That would make sense. He was big. Strong. She was small and puny. Strong for her size no doubt, surprisingly. But Emery would probably still be able to wrestle her to the dungeon no matter what. Especially if she got clubbed with the cane a few times first.

That, or they were, once again, anticipating her obedience. Giving her the opportunity to walk rather than be forced to be dragged.

"The lowest level, then," he said.

"Can you go to your corner or something, then? Or reassure her at least?" Emery glanced at Ky. "She's really jumpy, Gaius. Like really, really jumpy."
Gaius glanced at Ky as well, then dipped his head and brushed past her, heading for his favorite alcove without a word.

Fuck.

“…can I ask why?”



Her breath caught. They were talking about her. Gods. She dropped her gaze, flinching as Ash walked… by? He must have given Emery orders on what to do with her. Gods.

"Not at the moment, no."

Emery returned to his seat next to her and picked up another of the books. "Sorry about him," he said quietly. "He's not very good with social situations."

So it was to be a beating.

Fine.

He had to stay in character. Pretend he didn’t understand what was happening.

There wasn’t really an alternative. He physically couldn’t run. Couldn’t overpower Bay. And they both knew it.


She looked at Emery, then to where Ash had disappeared to, and then back at Emery. She didn’t understand. Surely he knew where the dungeon was without having to read about it. Why was…?

Bay escorted him down the hall and down the stairs.

Emery looked back at her. "Do you want me to ask him if it's taken care of?"

Aleth had to lean on him fairly heavily on the stairs, a lead weight sinking in his gut.


“I’m telling the truth,” she insisted, glancing back at the door. “He can lie better than I- I can tell the truth. And. And I know you have no reason to believe me since I came in as a liar. But. But. I’m telling the truth. I swear it on my parents’ graves. I’m telling the truth.”

Bay said absolutely nothing, continuing down the stairs without any breaks.

“… what is it that you think I’m lying about?” Aleth grunted, feeling rushed.

"We'll discuss this when you're downstairs," Bay said firmly.

"Ky," Emery said, setting down the book and speaking as gently as possible, "we all believe you. Gaius is sending Aleth down to the dungeon right now. You and Tadaaki are safe."

Aleth huffed and fell silent.


“No, Aleth—“ she shook her head. “Aleth is going to— he’s — he’s going to call me a liar but, but I’m not lying. No matter how convincing he is. I’m not lying.” Her throat felt tight with tears though none surfaced. “He’s going to convince…”

Emery nodded, sitting up. "I promise you we've dealt with people like this, before, Ky. I promise. We know what they do, we know their tactics. You're not lying. Sera saw your scars and those speak for themselves."

They were soon to the first floor. Bay escorted him toward the barracks.

Ky rubbed her abdomen, glancing fearfully back towards the door. Was… was he right? They weren’t going to hurt her? Just because of her scars?”

Aleth silently, stiffly, walked next to him. He took in all the details that he could on the way. Noting the exits especially.

"I promise you you're safe here. Nobody is coming after you."

Bay opened the doors to the barracks and led him towards the door that lead down the stairs to the dungeon.

She looked at him, then the door, and back at him again. She needed to stop. She was all but calling them liars by ignoring their promises and continuing to argue her case. She dipped her head. “…sorry.”

Aleth stopped, legs locking of their accord. What the fuck was he doing? Letting them march him to their torture chambers without even putting up a fight?