Two Crows Watch from the Gallows Tree (part 15)

Aashi was about to order Tasia to apologize when the old woman leaned into it. So she stopped and decided to watch. She didn’t know who this woman was but she’d seen her husbands body language change immediately and knew the woman must be someone important.

“Ummmm…. Twenty-fwree?” Tasia guessed.

"Ha!" D'Ara leaned back. "Higher; guess again, dear."

“Mmm… two hundred?”

"Lower."

Tasia furrowed her brow. “Ninety-two?”

“We’re still working on numbers,” Aashi offered apologetically.

"Seventy-three," D'Ara said proudly. "You got close there. How old are you?"

“This many.” She held up four fingers.

"Four? Well, you're already a grown-up," she chuckled.

Tasia’s eyes lit up with delight and she turned towards Aashi, tugging on her hand. “Mama! Did you hear that?”

Aashi chuckled and patted her head. “I’m sure you’ll be there before we know it.”

Tadaaki sat down next to Ky, one seat down and across the table further away from D’Ara. If it was a physical threat, he’d him himself between D’Ara and Ky. But since it was political, or worst case emotional, she was going to be the one to have to deal with this. So he could hide.

Sara and the children came in next, and Marcella and Mattathias shrieked with delight.
"Auntie!" Mattathias made a beeline for her and leaped into her lap, followed closely by Marcella. "How are you!"
"Did you bring gifts?" Marcella hugged her tightly.
"Of course I did, silly." D'Ara mussed up her hair. "Look at how you've grown! And speaking in full sentences,, too."

This was so confusing.

Ky and Tadaaki exchanged a glance.

How could the same woman that humbled Aleth, who dared be mean to not one but two Lords — in their own home no less! — be so soft with children? It didn’t make sense.

Tadaaki helped Tasia into the seat on his right and Aashi sat down on her right.

"What kinda presents?"
"You'll see later," D'Ara promised. She looked up as Lyra entered. "Ah, good to see you, dear! How are you?"
"I'm well." Lyra approached her and gave her a hug. "Thank you, auntie. And you?"
"Tired, cold, and wretched," she replied. "But absolutely delighted to see you and your family."

Okay. Ky was supposed to be happy to see D’Ara. Got it.

Lyra dipped her head and went to her seat. D'Ara watched her with concern.

“You’re Marcella and Mattathias’s aunt?” Tasia piped up. “And Lyra?”