Two Crows Watch from the Gallows Tree (part 14)

Jerica sighed heavily. She didn’t want to fight any more Beasts. Now trolls were hanging around? What next?

Derik glanced at her, then back at Ash, a little uneasy. “I see… and have they been nearing civilization?”

"There was one standing just over the wall to the east," Gaius replied grimly. "The trees only came up to its chest. And there have been reports of livestock going missing from farms around the territory. My brother was ambushed on the way here and lost several men to one of them."

Goddamn it, she didn’t want to deal with that. She’d barely managed to keep Kieran safe from the Chijurru, how was she supposed to take on a troll, if it was even bigger? She couldn’t, that’s how. The Chijurru had about killed her what with the broken ribs and shattered knee cap. She wasn’t eager to launch into another battle with something so wildly unfairly matched. She’d learned her lesson.

“…ah.” Derik was silent for a moment. He shouldn’t have brought his family up here. It clearly wasn’t safe. Perhaps they should leave soon. “I’m sorry to hear that. That must have been… upsetting.”

(I left all my fucking keys in a class
But my dad found them for me
But I had to walk to my house cuz I couldn't get in my apartment)

"It was a concern," Gaius agreed. "Tomhas was shaken badly. I'm fascinated by the trolls, really, but they're causing a lot of damage."

(Nuuuu omg that’s so awful I’m so sorry. Shitty Monday)

“I’m sure,” Derik agreed mildly. “Is your brother alright now?”

(The worst. I wanna go to Walmart to get autumn colors for this frog sewing pattern but ugggggh I'm so tired and my parents asked me to watch the dogs before all this happened)

"He is." He nodded. "He and his adopted daughter are on their way to the village."

(Ughhh that’s awful. I hope you can relax later despite the dogs haha)

“That’s good to hear at least,” Derik said with a nod. “Are the rest of the Loquiturs here as well?”

(Hoping so. I'm just chilling watching TV while they play for now)

He shook his head. "Just them and Lyra, my eldest niece."

(Good <3)(so your dad was able to get your keys so you can go back to your apartment tonight? Or are you stuck there?)

“Ah.” Derik nodded. “They came up for a visit, then?”

(Yep he got em! He's driving me home in a couple minutes.)

"Something like that."

(Nice!)

Derik nodded. It was none of his business and he didn’t care enough to press besides. “Well, I don’t know what your usual protocol for unannounced visitors or what we can expect during our stay here, but at some point I’d like to meet Lord Loquitur as well. That’d save us an extra stop by (Clawholm?).”

(Yep!)

"I can speak with him when he returns," Gaius said with a nod. "But you can expect heightened security; you'll each have someone assigned to you who will watch over you during your stay."

“That’s reasonable,” Derik said with a nod. No chance in hell he’d let any of them wander around the palace without an escort, if the roles were reversed. He barely liked letting their own Wardens loose in the place, much less a foreign dignitary.

(Warden)

"Is there anything else you need from me at this time?" Gaius asked.

(Thanks!)

“No sir.” Derik shook his head and stood up, taking it as his cue to leave. He offered his left hand again for a parting shake. “Thank you for your time.”

The other three stood as well.