Two Crows Watch from the Gallows Tree (part 14)

(Nobody should have to put up with endometriosis without help; I've heard how painful that can be. Best of luck to you on all of this!!)

She faced the door.

(Want me to bring everyone home while we're at this standoff?)

(Thank you <3)

(And yes I’ve got nothing else to add I’m good to switch over!)

(Coolio)

The group from the village arrived a little while later, and Tomhas dismounted, followed by Sera and Rickard.
"A successful trip overall, I think," Tomhas said with a smile. "A bit demoralizing in some ways but we got a lot done!"

Ky nodded in agreement, dismounting gracefully and giving her horse a pat on the neck as she did so. She’d gradually stopped feeling like such an ass about Rickard and had instead shifted her focus to how she was going to ask Sara and Gaius for suggestions for the heart box. But mostly Sara.

"I'm going to grab a snack from the kitchen; anyone want to come?"
Rickard and Sera both shook their heads.
"Ky?" He looked toward her.

“Um…” she hesitated. On the one hand, she wanted to soak in every moment she had with her father. On the other hand, this felt like it was going to lead to her being forced to eat — and not even at a meal time. No thanks. “I think I’m good; thanks.”

"Okay." He dipped his head and strode off.

Ky nodded to him and then started in the other direction wordlessly. Good. She knew where he’d be, which meant anywhere else was fair game for a private conversation excluding him. Now where would Sara or Gaius be?

"How was your trip?" said a voice behind her.

(Goddamn it)

“Good!” She turned towards the voice with a little smile to see who it was.

It was Narfi, looking cheerier than before with his arms crossed. "Sorry I didn't join you; I wavered for a little bit there."

Her smile faltered a little before she forced it back on. She needed to regard him with the utmost suspicion while pretending she didn’t suspect him at all. Was there any Kyber left that could help? “Oh, hello! That’s okay. Are you feeling better now?”

"I'm feeling as opposed to not feeling so I'd certainly say so! What did you do in the village?"

Ky blinked at him. What did that sentence even mean? “Um… I got some jerky.” She pulled it out of her pocket awkwardly. “Can… you… eat? Or not really?”

"I can fake-eat." He scrutinized the jerky. "That looks...great."