Two Crows Watch from the Gallows Tree (part 15)

(Hah I was like 95% sure a heckling would happen lmao)

Jerica started to turn her head towards him, successfully provoked, but Derik had expected that response and kept his hand in her line of vision. He put his other hand on her shoulder and squeezed it, hard, to be sure he’d have her attention rather than the shithead. “No.”

Jerica obediently turned her gaze back towards the back of Sera’s head.

Derik kept his hand on the side of Jerica’s head in case the man decided to jeer again so he’d be able to stop her in time. But he curled his fingers down so only his middle was extended, hidden from Jerica but not the man.

Loren spit at Derik before they passed out ofbreach, aiming for his cheek with a thick, viscous glob.

Derik ducked, but still caught him on the ear. He took his hand off Jerica’s face to roughly wipe the spit off himself, not reacting otherwise than his jaw clenching. Jerica started to turn to look back at him, catching a glimpse of the man as she did. He looked feral.

“Walk,” Derik ordered tersely, giving her a little shove and stepping between them. Jerica turned and started down the hall again, a little unsettled.

Loren shouted a few obscenities at Sera (which I will not write down but allude to certaint things), then said, "I've seen men run from a lot of things but I've never seen one who's woman enough to be afraid of a little spit!"

I’d love to stay and chat but I’ve got a warm bed and food waiting for me. Derik swallowed down the crack. He’d been told not to speak to the man. And he needed to set a good example for Jer—

“Betcha don’t see many people from your view down here you cu—“ Jerica was offended on both Sera and Derik’s behalves and there were only so many things she could stomach before she needed to respond.

Only Derik didn’t agree. And clamped his non-spitty hand down over her mouth and shoved her forward with his shoulder before she could finish her insult. “Quiet. Walk. Now.”

"Ha!" Loren spat again, though they were past him by now. "The pup's got balls after all. Thought you might be neutered for a moment! Or spayed."
"He wants you to respond, Jerica," Sera said, very quietly. "Don't give him the satisfaction."

Derik nodded in agreement, forcing Jerica to go a bit faster. “Just go. Not worth it.”

Sera reached the stairs, letting them go first.

Derik pushed Jerica ahead of him.

She was still mad. But the man’s jeering had faded enough now she was starting to cool off. Enough to obey, anyhow. She needed to not be in trouble again, and so soon. She huffed and stormed up the stairs of her own volition.

They reached the top of the stairs. "I'm so sorry about him," Sera said quietly. "He's...always like that. I'm sorry." She seemed more subdued than she'd been down there.

“Not your fault.” Derik shook his head, wiping at his ear again. “It hardly seems like he’s a favored guest… I’m sorry for someone’s mouth.” He cast an annoyed glance at Jerica.

She glanced between them, then dropped her gaze. “…Sorry.”

"He's easy to yell at," Sera said, glancing at Jerica. "I don't blame you."
"Ma'am." The servant, panting for breath, came to a stop as Sera stepped through the door. "Lord Ash requests your and General Ainsley's presence in his office immediately."

Jerica straightened. What was going on? She was definitely going too.

“General.” Derik stuck a finger in her face. “Not Lieutenant.” He gestured down the hall. “Dormitory.”

Jerica opened her mouth to argue.

“Now. That’s an order.”

She sighed, furrowing her brow and saying, “Sir,” sourly as she turned down the hall. She always got left out of interesting things.

"I'll get her there," Sera said. "Please tell Lord Ash not to wait up for me; I'll ask to be filled in later."

Jerica sourly walked down the hall, not waiting for her. What did it matter at this point? Sera would be filled in later; Jerica had the feeling that she wouldn’t be.

Derik looked at the servant, waiting for directions.