Two Crows Watch from the Gallows Tree (part 15)

Jerica grimaced. “I… I don’t know. I… he was gonna get his hand cut off if I didn’t step in. I didn’t know what to do.”


She matched his gaze, trying to think of how to be as natural as possible. “Fine.” She glanced back at Sara. “I’m fine.”

(Jerica)

"Have you talked to your uncle about it?"

"Who was that?"
"Tell her to watch her step," Septimus said tetchily, and he strode off.

(Oop)

“Yeah… he… didn’t like that I took him on. But he understands why. And has helped me.”


Ky snorted, watching him go. She made sure her voice was loud enough he’d hear when she went, “no one important.”

"Is there a way to get him out of this?"

"Okay," she said hesitantly.

“I don’t know.” Jerica shook her head. “Technically he swore allegiance to me not the country. So. Maybe?”


Ky buried her hands in her pockets, a sour expression on her face, and started down the hall.

He grimaced. "Ten years old..."

Sara followed after her. "You're sure?"

Jerica nodded. “He… doesn’t have a family. I tried that.”


Ky hesitated, realizing she already knew about him. Was there really harm in telling her? This was what she wanted, wasn’t it? “…it was him.”

He hesitated. "Perhaps Lord Loquitur or Lord Ash could help."

"Him who?'

“They’re not his family.”

“Him,” she emphasized. “Who I told you about.”

"No. But they weren't Ky's, and Lord Loquitur adopted her anyway."

"Septimus?" She blinked. "As in Lord Septimus Ash?"

That hurt her feelings, and she didn’t know why. “You don’t think he should be with me?”


Ky nodded and gestured vaguely in the direction he’d gone. “You walked right through him… he didn’t like it.”

"No, no!" Rickard's eyes widened and he sat up straight. "No, miss, that's not what I mean at all. I mean--" He wrung his hands. "I mean perhaps this lifestyle isn't...what a ten year old boy should have..." He cringed.

"Oh." She looked over her shoulder, then tossed her hair as she whipped her head back. "Good."

Jerica put a hand up, hoping to soothe him. “Hey-hey, it’s okay… it’s okay. You’re… right.” She sighed a little. “You’re right.”

Ky smirked a little and started walking again.

He shook his head, huffing. "That was too much. Too much. You do as you please, Jeric--miss."

"What did he want?"

Jerica grinned when he said her name, legitimately delighted. “You called me Jer!” That was refreshing. Someone who viewed her for herself. What a rarity. It felt nice.

“To talk.” She shrugged. “He didn’t say what about. Just… later.”