Two Crows Watch from the Gallows Tree (part 15)

(Yeah lol Rek will catch on but I think he usually defaults to first names now that I think about it)
(like Akeno's name is Akeno Haider and Derik calls him Haider 95% of the time but Rek calls him Akeno, rinse and repeat for most characters. I think a clear superior he'd default to their title (i.e., Lord Ash) but a foreign military member technically wouldn't be his superior even if he was a higher rank, so... who knows lol)

Rek nodded, glad that the officer didn't seem to grudge Derik his sleep. "I'm glad to have a respite from it all."

(That'll make for an awkward moment at some point)

"Everyone else is settling in, then? How was your meal?"

"Oh, it was delicious," Rek answered with a little smile. "I feel ten pounds heavier and ten degrees warmer."

Bay dipped his head. "The cooks here do know what they're about."

Rek nodded. "How long have you been here?"

Bay inhaled, thinking for a long moment. "Thirteen years. As long as the current Lord Ash has been in power."

"Oh, wow! Quite a while." Rek dipped his head. "Impressive."

"There are others who have been here longer, but not many," he agreed. "It's fine work."

"Glad to hear of it." Rek nodded. He'd need to be more careful. Not that he'd done anything wrong; but he needed to make sure he continued not doing anything wrong. This man was probably in the confidence of the Lord of the Keep -- best not to be a pest. "He seems like he'd be a good employer. Seems very sharp."

"That he is. He doesn't suffer fools, that much is certain."

Rek nodded, not sure if he was agreeing with Ash being a good employer or that he was sharp or both. "Probably a skill that serves him well in his role. I can't imagine there's much room for laxity in a position such as his."

"Certainly not." Bay looked toward the other two boys. "I see you gentlemen are keeping yourselves occupied."

Kieran had just drawn a breath to gloat about his win over Akeno, but let it out, deflating a little as he realized he was being immature. Thinking about being immature. In front of an audience. He popped to his feet strode towards Bay with a hand extended. “Yes sir. My name’s Kieran, sir.”

Akeno quietly followed behind, waiting to introduce himself for now.

He shook Kieran's hand. "Pleased to meet you, young sir."

“You too!” He offered an anxious grin, even though he hadn’t caught the man’s name. “…who are you?”