Of Crows and Songbirds (Part 3)

(No that’s pretty disgusting lol it got super cold here yesterday and has been miserable since. I brought a blanket to work today and am snuggling up uneee my desk lol)

Talia nodded. “It’s… been a long time. I wonder how different things are these days.”

(Aw that sounds cozy
That's what I plan on doing when I get home; I have a memoir to write so I'll snuggle up with tea and blankets)

"Villages don't tend to change much, unless they've undergone catastrophe.'

(Aww nice! Good calls all around lol I should not be allowed on Amazon when I’m cold and yesterday ordered a heated blanket and a blanket hoodie and I eagerly look forward to their arrival haha)

“I mean… Makata took probably a third of our population.” She shrugged, looking away. “It’s going to be very different to not have any of my friends there anymore. Just the babies and the grown ups.”

(Ohoho now I wanna do that)

"Gaius will try to get the others out," she assured her. "He's been working on it since Ky came here.'

“She mentioned.” Talia nodded. “We appreciate that a lot… it’s still… going to be different, though. I am different. And so are Kaelan and Ky and probably everyone else, too.”

"I expect so. But that's part of growing even when you haven't been through something terrible. You'll get to know each other all over again."

Talia nodded. “You’re probably right… hopefully it’ll still be good, despite it all.”

"Certainly. I know Ky is settling in better now."

“Yes ma’am… overall.” She grimaced. Until yesterday anyway.

(I think Ky probably split her knuckles open and has a bit of a bruise on her neck from Borrond grabbing her so I assume Sera has heard/seen that by now lol)

(Definitely)

"Overall," she agreed with a small frown. "That was...unfortunate."

Talia grimaced again and nodded. “Very… she feels very bad about it. Guilty.”

"I know. She shouldn't; I told her that."

“She caused a lot of trouble for Lord Ash.” Talia shrugged. “I… understand why she did it.” She rubbed her collarbone subconsciously, not realizing she was doing so as she remembered the way Borrond had manhandled her during the capture. She hadn’t had it half as bad as Ky but those bruises had still lasted her weeks. “…but I also understand why she feels bad about it. The inconvenience.”

"Gaius has weaseled his way out of worse," she assured her.

“Still. He shouldn’t have to; he’s already done so much to help us.” Talia was quiet for a moment, tying another bundle of the herbs off. “And…” she grimaced and turned away. “… I think… Ky…” she hung the herbs up, dawdling over her words. “Feels that the blood is on her own hands now.”