Two Crows Watch from the Gallows Tree (part 17)

(Aw man)

"That's where the relations come in."
"It's too simplistic," Gaius said. "Tomhas, either way we go it's going to be catastrophic. Best to have less build up, right?'

“She’s not stupid,” Zander agreed with a nod and a sigh. “And we’ve got to remember she spent years with Aleth. She’ll see through bullshit in an instant… especially if she’s got meddlers giving her tidbits of truth behind our backs.”

Tomhas gave a reluctant nod. "I'm still against it....but I trust your judgement."

“I appreciate that.” He wasn’t sure he did, at this point. But. Well. He had to trust his gut. It’d gotten him this far. He was quiet for a moment then sighed quietly. “… you’ll be around for a little while, right? We’re not gonna dump this on her then you go home and leave her here? At least right away? I think my biggest concern is her abandonment issues…”

"I'm gonna take her home as soon as I can," he told her. "As soon as I can."

“Good.” He nodded, then sighed. “Alright… I guess it’s time to grab the girls, then?”

"I suppose so. Shall I send someone to fetch them or should two of us go?"

There was a brief silence.

Then Derik said, “I’ll go get Jer.” And stood up and stepped towards the door.

Zander glanced at Tomhas, not sure how to handle Ky.

Tomhas sighed and glanced at Gaius. Gaius dipped his head and rose, taking his cane. "I'll find her," he said.

Jerica was pacing in the parlor they’d all been shown to when they got here a little while before. She didn’t know what was going on or why. Rek, Akeno, and Kieran were all watching her stalk back and forth, making occasional attempts at distraction but overall not really knowing what was going on and she was more restless than upset — currently — so they let her be.

Derik had taken Rek aside earlier that day and privately warned him that something was going to happen today and that he needed to be ready to comfort Jerica when she had an absolute meltdown later. But he’d not answered any questions and none of them had any idea what was going on.

Derik got to the parlor and popped his head in. “Hey, guys.” He offered a tense little smile. “Jer? Come with me for a minute?”

Rek stood up too but Derik shook his head. Rek furrowed his brow and slowly sat back down.

Jerica walked over to the door to join Derik.



Ky was hanging around in the library, in the corner completely opposite from the journals as far away as she could be while being in the same room.

Gaius went where he expected to find her--her room. When she wasn't there, he tried the library and located her. "Ky." He dipped his head.

She started, physically jumping out of her seat and whirling around on him with wide eyes. Her anxiety spiked in an instant, heart racing so hard it hurt and chest tight. She must have dozed off sitting upright. She was doing that a lot these days.

She let out a shaky breath and swallowed hard, blushing. “…hello?”

He started back as she lurched up, blinking in surprise. "...Hello," he replied. "I wonder if you might join me in my office?"

Ky rubbed her face tiredly. Her eyes felt grainy. They had for a week and a half now. But she forced herself to take a deep breath and give an uncertain nod. “…okay…?”

What the hell had she done? She’d been eating (sure, throwing up a lot of the time after, but she was fairly certain no one had noticed that detail). Not hiding in her room. Being as polite as humanly possible. Why was she getting called to the principal’s office?

"Thank you." He turned toward the door. "You're not in trouble."