Two Crows Watch from the Gallows Tree (part 15)

“Yes.” Jerica grimaced a little. She felt like that much was obvious. This woman was clearly trying to lead into something. “…How is he doing now? Do you know?”


Ky nodded miserably. She didn’t like this at all. But she gave a lame, “Okay.”

She supposed she could handle being flayed by D’Ara. Hopefully Narfi didn’t decide to come wave his arm through her shoulder again. It’d be terribly distracting to have to deal with a spirit and especially that one.

"He's doing better." Good; it was a good sign that she was asking after him. "Your and your uncle's presence was understandably a shock to him. But he'd like to catch up with you, if you're ready and available, now that he's processed it."

"Okay." She smiled slightly. "It'll be alright, Ky."

“Yes!” Jerica said quickly, nodding. He wanted to talk to her? He didn’t hate her? She realized she was being too eager and forced her energy to calm. “…Yes. I would like that as well. Whenever he’s ready.”


“Yeah.” Ky tried for a smile but not even the shadow of one actually made it to her face. She paced towards the window.

"I think he's ready," Sera replied with a smile. "But Jerica, please keep in mind he can be quick to worry."

Sara watched her. "How was the village?"

Jerica nodded. “I’ll…” how could she make herself less threatening? She shrugged off the belts of throw knives she still had wrapped around her torso and threw them on the nearby bunk. She put her hand on her sword, debating whether to take it off or not. She already felt more vulnerable now that she’s shed the knives. Plus this sword was vastly expensive — she couldn’t risk a theft. “…take this off once I get there.”


“It was…” a long time ago, it felt like. “Good.”

"I was thinking more about your reaction upstairs, but that will certainly help." She dipped her head. "Thank you."

"Good?" She nodded encouragingly.

Jerica grimaced. “Ah.” Right. That hadn’t been her finest moment. “I…” she dipped her head. “I’ll do better this time. I was… taken off guard by… the… new information.”


“We… um… well…” Ky paused by the window, looking out. “We got me fitted for armor.” Narfi’s words echoed in her mind. Tomhas setting her up to stay here all winter long. Getting rid of her.

"I understand." Sera nodded. "Shall we go up now? He usually stays in the infirmary."

"Ah, wonderful!" She grinned. "That'll be useful."

“Is he ill?” Jerica furrowed her brow in concern and started for the door.


Ky nodded passively. “Hopefully.” It wasn’t at all going to bribe her into contentment here, though, if that’s what it was about.

She shook her head. "No, nothing like that. It's a place he feels safe and out of the way, that's all. He worries about being underfoot, as it were." She followed after Jerica. "He does have a room, but he doesn't use it."

"What else?"

“Oh.” Jerica held the door for her.


Ky was silent for a long moment, trying to think of how to broach the subject. Now was as good as time as any, she guessed. “… Do you think Tomhas wants a heart box?”

She stepped through, dipping her head. The soldier moved to follow, but she held up a hand. "I'll take it from here."

Sara blinked at her in surprise. "A heartbox? I mean..." She thought for a moment. "Maybe. Probably. I'm not sure how well he'd react at first, but I think he would want one, yes."

Jerica blinked, then glanced at Sera with new found suspicion. Not just a girlfriend, then. Someone with power. Authority. Which meant she’d lost her shit earlier in front of two important people plus whoever that man with Ash was. Oh well. She was glad to be rid of her babysitter. She’d decided she didn’t like the soldier. Jerica started down the hall.


Ky nodded. “…I… talked to Sven. He’s going to draft up some ideas and I’m going to go pick one in four days… if that’s okay.”

Sera caught up with her. "Rickard told me what you did for him, before he was taken away. He has a lot of admiration and gratitude for you. Regret, too."

"I think that would be very nice." Sara smiled slightly. "Are you ready for him to react....unconventionally?"

“Regret?” Jerica furrowed her brow in confusion, glancing over at her. Though the admiration comment was nearly as confusing. Why would anyone admire her?


“I… am not quite sure what to expect.”