Two Crows Watch from the Gallows Tree (part 15)

"That he didn't step in to help." She glanced at her.

"I think it'll be a very complicated gift for him to receive," Sara said slowly. "Potentially upsetting, but I think overall it will be excellent."

“It would have been stupid for him to get in the middle of it.” Jerica waved her hand dismissively. “The two of us together couldn’t have taken on Biryn at that point in my life. He’d have just gotten in trouble and hurt and it would be pointless for us both to get hurt. The only way it was gonna work was if Biryn got so angry at me he forgot Rickard.”


“I’m afraid I’m making the wrong call,” Ky admitted.

"I told him that. But he still feels that way."

"I don't think you are." Sara came to stand beside her. "I think this is the right call, Ky. It'll be tough at first, but I think it will be good for both of you."

“Mm.” Jerica was silent for a moment, considering that. “Well… they’re his feelings to do with what he wants. But he shouldn’t. It worked out how it was meant to.”


Ky nodded, grateful for the affirmation. “I hope so… and… I hope he’s able to attach us to the heart box rather than his parents… hopefully it doesn’t… link us all….”

"I agree." She nodded, opening the door to the outside. "You really didn't know he was enslaved?"

"Hopefully," she agreed. "What are you thinking of putting in there?"

Jerica grimaced, walking through. “I swear on my life I didn’t, or I’d have made Levin set him free.”

“Some smooth stones. He said he liked those. I think I may get him one in each of us kids’ favorite color… though that may be cheesy.”

"You just assumed he wore the collar for decoration?"

"That's really cute!" Sara nodded encouragingly.

(Collars in Rhaebaki would be pretty expensive looking and silk-lined so it could conceivably look like decoration)

(Good to know, thanks!)

“I… didn’t pay attention to it.” She blushed. “I was a dumb little kid and didn’t know what it meant. I thought he watched me cause he wanted to.”


“You think so?” Ky glanced at her with the hint of a hopeful smile.

(My keyboard is lagging a solid 3 seconds slower than how fast I’m typing and it’s a struggle lol)

She shook her head with a small sigh. "Children are children, I suppose," she mused. "He doesn't hold it against you."

She nodded. "Absolutely. Tomhas loves sentimental things like that."

(I feel you
My brain is the same cuz I may be sick and also I got my omicron vaccination today)

(Oop sorry for ghosting I fell asleep lol)
(And oof that’s the worst. I hope you feel better soon!)

Jerica rubbed the back of her neck. She still felt bad about it. But there was nothing that could be done about it at this point. And this woman didn’t deserve an apology anyhow. Rickard was the one she’d harmed through her ignorance; not Sera. So she merely nodded in response.


Ky smiled a bit more, pleased that she’d had a good idea for once. “Do you have ideas for what else we can put in the box? I wasn’t here for his childhood.”

(So did I)

They headed inside the Keep, and Sera started upstairs.

Her smile faded. "I'm not sure he has a lot of childhood left here."

(Perf)(it screwed with my head tho lol it’s about an hour earlier than I usually sleep so I woke up less exhausted this morning than usual. I always sleep with a lamp on to deter the roaches. Usually I wake up on my stomach or back or facing that way. This morning I randomly woke up facing the wall so the first thing I noticed was light and the fact I wasn’t as exhausted as usual and thought I overslept. I’m supposed to be up before daylight lol)

Jerica followed after her, trying to hide her anxiety. What if she said the wrong thing? What if she upset him again? What if he didn’t like grown up Jerica? She’d gotten significantly colder since he’d left. Angrier. Less human. Though she’d started down that path before he left so perhaps he wouldn’t be surprised by her monstrosity. But it didn’t mean he had to like it. Like her.

Gods. He wasn’t going to like her anymore.


Ky nodded slowly. “Well… teenage hood? Young adulthood? Something with nice memories attached?”

(Oh geez
It's good you're not too tired though! I woke up feeling the same way but I swear I had a fever last night. I couldn't get out of bed without trembling with cold. Omicron vaccine might have been the cause.
I feel better this morning though which is important cuz I have a portfolio due)

Sera glanced over her shoulder. "How long did he take care of you, before he left?" she asked.

"That's probably with Anneke or her aunt," Sara said. "Nothing here would have survived very long. Ana might have some things from when Tomhas and Anneke were courting."

(Ugh Im sorry to hear that but I’m glad you feel better now! Best of luck with the portfolio!)

“A long time,” Jerica said. “I don’t remember a time before him. Up through when I was twelve… okay well that’s not true. I didn’t need a nanny after I was like eight or nine. But I’d still go in to bother him sometimes.”


Ky nodded. “Okay. I was planning to ask her too anyway.”

(Thank you!)

She nodded. "That's the impression I got. It's a long time, certainly."

"Good. That's probably what you should do." Sara glanced around the room. "I'm afraid there's not much good about Serpent Keep for Tomhas."