Two Crows Watch from the Gallows Tree (part 17)

Ky nodded, returning the embrace and working on matching her own breaths to his in an attempt to calm down.


Kieran glanced at him, then noticed Zander. He smiled a little. "Oh! Hello!"

"Hey Kieran." Zander forced a little smile on his behalf. "How are you?"

"Well, sir. And you?"

"Could be worse," Zander said, gesturing at a chair to invite him to sit down.

Derik had a sudden realization. "Wait, was Akeno still in the parlor?"

"Yes, sir." Kieran nodded and sat down.

"Shit." He rubbed his face. No chance Jerica was keeping that from him. Why would she? She hadn't been ordered to.


Meanwhile in the parlor Jerica was angrily crying while Rek and Akeno took turns cuddling her, giving bits and pieces of the situation without making much sense at all.

His own breaths were slow amd even, though he was very tense.

"Will that pose a problem?" Gaius asked. "If those two know?"

Ky was so sleepy. She felt her body getting heavier and heavier with each deep breath that she took, the emotions stripping every last bit of energy from her as they left.


"...It... will be okay," Derik said slowly, nodding. "I would rather Akeno didn't know, but she'll have already told him by now. I'll just do damage control later and make sure he knows he has to shut up about it."

Tomhas didn't move, letting her drift off if she needed to.

"Very well." He dipped his head. "Perhaps we should tell Ky and Jerica that this is secret?"

She did so a few moments later, body going heavy as she slipped from consciousness, feeling safe to do so for the first time in several weeks.


"Yeah," Zander nodded in agreement. "We definitely should."

Derik nodded as well. "...Once they calm down a bit. I can't imagine either of them will appreciate us bothering them right now."

Kieran looked between them curiously, eyes wide and inquisitive.

"Not a secret you get to know about kiddo, sorry," Derik said, glancing at him.

He dipped his head, disappointed but not surprised. "Yes sir."

Tomhas stayed with her, tilting his head back as his eyes filled with tears. Was Septimus in here with them now? Was he watching him be as inadequate father as he'd been?

"And yet he's in here," Gaius pointed out. "He knows something is going on."

(Aww buddy ;-; )

"Something," Derik agreed, glancing back at Gaius tiredly. "Doesn't mean he knows what."

How was he supposed to comfort his daughter when he couldn't fix anything that was happening? He had no power.

"No, but he might ask questions."

Derik sighed, glancing back at Kieran. "...Jer's going through a lot, okay? Something... upsetting has happened. She is safe. And she'll be okay. But she'll be pissy for a bit. Understand?"

Kieran hesitated then nodded slowly. "Yes sir?"

"Is he trustworthy?" Gaius asked.

"He's ten," Derik said firmly, glancing back at Gaius. "Some burdens are too heavy for little shoulders."

Gaius looked back at the boy, then sighed and dipped his head. "Very well."

"Thank you," Derik said, inclining his head as well. "With any luck, it won't reach anyone but those of us who were in this room, and Rek and Akeno."

"...I do wonder how it'll pan out with the other person," Zander mused, glancing toward where Septimus had been. Was he still there?

Gaius followed his gaze. "Well. He won't be telling anyone who can make a difference. His actions are inconsequential." Those words carried weight. He'd been told that before, about Michael. Had it said about himself, to Gwynna and to Tomhas, for differing reasons. He hoped it stung.

"I hope so..." Zander agreed with a slight nod. "For Ky's sake."