Two Crows Watch from the Gallows Tree (part 13)

She nodded. "You'll declare your weapons and then be checked for any that were undeclared. Most of you will end up in the barracks, but I and a select few others will stay in the Keep."

"What do you mean by 'declare'?" Derik clarified.

"You just tell them what weapons you have on you or are bringing in with you and they'll document that."

“Very well.” Derik nodded. “So they don’t confiscate them? Just make a note of it?”

"If you have undeclared weapons when they search you and your bags, those will absolutely be confiscated. Otherwise, there shouldn't be any trouble!"

“We won’t,” Derik assured her, giving Jerica a hard look.

Jerica furrowed her brown and hunched down a little and nodded, remembering his threats. He didn’t need to repeat them. He’d already ensured she understood that if she lied about any sort of security clearance whatsoever, whether here or another host, without his explicit instructions that she’d be in an insane amount of trouble. To the point where it wasn’t even tempting anymore to try to see if she could sneak one past the guards for fun. Derik had said she didn’t get to see Akeno a single time if she did something like that, and that he was going to keep her and Rek separated too if she did. A bit of mischievous joy wasn’t worth risking losing her best friends for the entirety of the visit. And Derik was absolutely the type to follow through on his threats.

(Do you want to have them arrive now? I don’t have much else but idk what sort of set up they’re going to arrive to)

(Sure, let's get them in!
It'll be kinda laid back; Gaius wasn't expecting D'Ara for awhile yet. He'll still be disgruntled from all the breakfast conversation and whatnot too, so not in the best mood)

The gates loomed into view in a few more minutes, and D'Ara clapped her hands. "Finally! Here we are, children; time to get warm!"

(Sounds good!)(gosh breakfast feels like twenty years ago tho lol)

Kieran grinned, the only one to show his utter delight at the prospect, though Jerica and Derik were pleased as well. It’d be nice to get out of these damnable saddles and into warmth.

“Can’t wait,” Derik muttered, assessing the wall and the gate as they neared. This place was a fortress. Every bit as impressive as he’d heard. Hopefully they’d get a warm reception. Or. Well. At least not an icy one. It’d be terribly disappointing to get tossed out before they even made it in. They all needed time to relax after the grueling journey they’d made.

(For real.
Partly my fault I think; I took that hiatus)

Several guards were at the wall, and they looked down to see who was approaching. Captain Bay was among them.
"Kirut D'Ara," he called in greeting. "Welcome to Serpent Keep."
"Thank you, Captain!" D'Ara leaned forward. "May we come in?"
"One moment." Bay disappeared from the wall, and soon enough the gates began to scrape open.

(Kirut is the official title for D'Ara's rank; it's essentially chief elder or chieftain)

(No worries! My memory is trash anyhow haha)(and ooh okay cool thanks! It’s a neat title!)

“Best behavior,” Derik whispered his admonition, hanging back and pointing a finger warningly at Jerica.

“Yes sir,” she murmured sullenly.

He glanced at Kieran, who nodded vigorously without him even having to say anything.

“…good.” Derik nodded, then took a deep breath and squared his shoulders, thinking through how he’d introduce himself.

Bay was waiting for them as they entered. He helped D'Ara from her litter as guards started taking stock of supplies and weapons.
D'Ara wasted no time letting him frisk her and then started toward the Keep doors. "So," she said. "He knows what he's done, he's smart enough to understand that. So why be such a fool about it?"
Bay glanced back at the others, then followed after her. "I wouldn't know, madam; I'm just a captain."

“Keep your hands visible,” Derik muttered under his breath, then swung his leg over his horse and dismounted, looking around for who he should be reporting to. It was clear D’Ara was comfortable here, but he sure didn’t know what was going on. Jerica dismounted too, obeying and keeping her hands out of her pockets as she lingered a little too near Derik. Kieran all but hid behind her entirely, eyes wide as he stared at all the commotion around them.

"I'll have your luggage brought to your usual room," he told her. "Would you like to rest before meeting with Lord Ash--"
"No, I'll see him now," D'Ara interrupted. "If he'll have me."
"I expect he will."

"What will you bringing in with you?" one of the soldiers asked Jerica conversationally. She was a limber woman with stress lines around her mouth and eyes, with a guarded expression.

“I’ve got my sword—“ she instinctively put her hand on it to pat it, then realized that was exactly the wrong move and took her hand off it again quickly. “A couple belts of throwing blades around my torso, two daggers in my belt, and one strapped to my left leg. I’ve got three more in my saddle bag and my bow and quiver is also strapped on behind my saddle… Kieran?”

She glanced over her shoulder, only to find that he’d sidled up so close to her she could barely see him.

He, somehow, got even closer to her while managing not to touch her. Barely. He squeaked quietly, fearful as he stared at the enemy soldiers all around them. “I havemyswordmaamandmybowonmysaddlemaam.”

She looked at him skeptically for a moment. He looked as small as his voice in that moment, which was impressive given how weak his tone was.

He needed help. Clearly.

She turned back to the guard. “He’s got a sword and a bow. That’s it.”

The guard nodded. "Arms and legs out to the sides so I can check you over, please." She glanced at Kieran. "Nothing to fear, little fellow. You're doing fine."