Two Crows Watch from the Gallows Tree (part 15)

Jerica sighed. Derik glanced at her warily then decided to risk it. Zander said the apothecary could be trusted. “Very well; thank you.”


Ky frowned. “That doesn’t make sense.”

"Please follow me." Sera gestured to the door.

Tomhas nodded quietly. "Can I use your glass, Ky?"

“Really?” Derik muttered under his breath, giving Jerica a stern look as he turned to follow Sera.

Jerica dropped her gaze and followed behind them. She knew she was in trouble. But… well… fuck.


Ky furrowed her brow in concern, perplexed, but nodded and slid the glass to him.

She headed out the door. "There aren't many private places in the barracks, so I'll be taking you to the dungeon to an interrogation room. There are several prisoners down there; I would like you not to make any eye contact, nor should you speak to any of them. Do you understand?"

That made both of them uneasy. Wasn’t there a place within the Keep? Or even outside. Sure. Derik took a deep breath. It wasn’t like Ash was trying to arrest them via an apothecary. It’d be fine. “…And we will have privacy there? It’s very important there aren’t… ears, restrained or not.”

"Some interrogation rooms are designed to be soundproof," she replied, entering the main area.

Jerica rolled her shoulders as a creeping sensation ran down her spine. She’d been in those interrogation rooms. Hard to say if it was truly sound proof to those outside. But the sounds from within them haunted her even now.

Sera opened a door to a set of stairs and started downwards.

“Keep your eyes on me,” Derik ordered under his breath, giving Jerica another stern look.

“Yessir.” She dipped her head, resolving not to mess up again.

She headed down the stairs. It was dead silent below, as if the dungeon was holding its breath.

Jerica did, too, subconsciously as she followed Derik down the stairs.

They reached the first level and Sera led them down the row of cells. The prisoners who still had eyes drew close to the bars, watching the procession in silence. Loren Carthe bared his teeth at Sera and hissed.

As the prisoners began to shift, Derik changed his mind about having Jerica keep her eyes on him. Instead he stepped to the side and put his hand on her shoulder and maneuvered her ahead of him so he could keep his eyes on her. Most of the time he could be War Lord Ainsley but moments like these made Uncle Derik poke through, despite his best efforts.

He left his hand on her shoulder, squeezing slightly to reassure her. Jerica kept her chin raised but staring straight ahead at the back of Sera’s head. She glanced over as the weird man hissed, but Derik flicked the back of her head and she quickly looked back at Sera before she made eye contact.

Sera kept her eyes straight ahead, but she didn't breathe or relax until they were past the cells and into the back hall. She opened a door, entering a small room with no furniture except an iron ring on the floor.

Jerica took a deep breath as they entered, then immediately wrinkled her nose at the scent. It smelled like old death in here. She was still tense as she glanced between Derik and Sera, hoping desperately the woman would give them the room. Surely she didn’t think they’d try anything from here?


(Bro I think my neighbor might be trans based on what they just said to me and that’s not at all the sort of convo I expected casually have in my driveway at 8 pm on a Sunday but I’m here for it)