Of Crows and Songbirds (Part 3)

"Good." He nodded, taking a deep breath and relaxing his shoulders ever so slightly. Perhaps Ash wasn't evil incarnate afterall. Perhaps he should squash the murderous fantasies before he got up there.

They headed up the stairs.

Kaelan walked in silence, focusing on trying to relax and get less angry. He needed not to end up on the gallows. Best to keep his temper under control. If he could deal with Makata he could deal with Ash... not that he'd ever interacted with Makata, really. He'd only seen him in passing.

Bay reached the office and knocked again.
"Enter," Gaius replied. Bay opened the door. "Captain, there's been a small change of plans. Please see the young ladies to rooms on the fifth floor and notify Sera that we have guests in need of clothes and possibly some tea. Leave the soldier with me."

Kaelan wasn't sure what that meant for him. What the fuck had he done? Why was he getting one-on-one attention with the lord of the Keep? He peered past Bay, letting out a little breath of relief when he saw all the girls sitting, fully clothed. Well. As clothed as Borrond had sent them in.

That was fine. He could take his own fate; it was good to see Tal was okay. She turned and locked gazes with him, giving him a slight nod of encouragement.

"I'll speak with the three of you individually after you're settled," Gaius told them. "Thank you. Oh, and Captain, please let Ky know they're here as well." Bay dipped his head.

Kaelan's eyes snapped back to Ash and he blinked. Ky? Like... Ky? He glanced at Talia again and she nodded slightly.

"Thank you, sir," she murmured, glancing back at Gaius as she stood up. The other girls stood and nodded, murmuring as well.

His mind was spinning. It couldn't be the same Ky... could it? That Ky was dead. Long since.

Gaius nodded to them. "I'll have an escort sent up to each of you so you can feel free to wander once they arrived. It's a precaution--you'll be perfectly safe with them."

"Thank you, sir," Talia murmured again, nodding and stepping towards the door. She hesitated by Kaelan and muttered under her breath, almost imperceptibly quiet, "I told him."

Bay stepped out, holding the door for them.

The girls shuffled out.

Kaelan uncertainly stepped in, lingering by the door as he eyed Ash. Talia told him what? What was this about?

Bay closed the door behind him.

"Kaelan, was it?" Gaius half-rose from his chair, offering him his left hand to shake. "I'm Lord Ash."

"Yes, sir." Kaelan squared his shoulders and approached the desk, hesitating and then shaking his left hand. "...Nice to meet you?"

"I'll cut to the chase," he said, leaning back in the chair once he'd shaken his hand. "I've no intention of harming your sister or her friends, or you. Quite the opposite. I've been looking into Makata's activities. If you're dissatisfied with the way your sister has been treated, which I expect you are, and if you wish to leave his employment, I'll cover your exit."

Kaelan blinked, stunned. "...sir?" It seemed too good to be true. Which meant it probably wasn't. "...May I ask why?"