Two Crows Watch from the Gallows Tree (part 17)

(Oof that’s also rough lol I just put my hood up until my car warmed up. It’s tough cause I’m working inside today and don’t want to be forced to wear a beanie all day inside or deal with hat hair but I also didn’t want to freeze to death lol)

“Nope, I think that’s it. Thanks again!” She took a step towards the door.

(If you're wearing a hat then the only person who'll see your hat hair is a lizard when you get home, right?)

He dipped his head. Bay helped Gaius to his feet, and Marcella slid off his lap.

(But then I gotta leave it on all day lol I wear hats for field work because I hate my hair blowing around on the boat worse than I hate wearing hats, but I hate wearing hats pretty strongly lol)

Ky held the door for them all.

(Fair nuff)

Bay nodded to her.
"When's Tasia gonna get her box?" Mattathias asked, disappointed.
"Once it's made," Sven replied. "In a few weeks."

Tasia heard her name and popped her head back in. “And there’s gonna be FROGS!”

"Yes there will," he agreed with a chuckle.

Tasia went hopping through the snow making little foot prints with the impact of her jumping, though she’d abandoned getting on her hands as a frog long ago. It was too cold up here; being a frog made her fingers hurt in the North.

Gaius stayed close to Bay; people were looking at him again.

Tadaaki saw what was happening and turned to Ky, murmuring very quietly, “Go ahead?”

Ky heard what he was asking; get his family away from the brewing hostility. She glanced around and then nodded. Probably best; she was too small to be able to help it a mob did break out. Best to have the kids out of the way. And Aashi. “C’mon, race you!” She poked all three kids then took off running.

Tasia squealed. “Cheater!!!” And sprinted after her.

“Go, please.” Tadaaki nudged Aashi, nodding after Ky. She furrowed her brow but dipped her head and sped up.

Tadaaki hung back on Ash’s other side, walking tall and far more confident than he felt. It was the least he could do; lend his size to be a deterrent.

Mattathia send Marcella tore after her. "I'm gonna win!" Marcella shrieked.
"We're going to get to the horses, and I'll see him home," Bay said quietly to Tadaaki. "Thanks for your help."

“Happy to.” Tadaaki nodded to him, glancing around. “Sorry it’s necessary.”

"We didn't anticipate this or he wouldn't have been here." Bay had a protective arm around Gaius.

“Of course.” Tadaaki nodded, eyes sharp as he looked around. “May I… ask what’s going on?” He didn’t need details to help, of course. But still.

"The war, I expect. There was a draft."

“…ah.” He grimaced and inclined his head. That made sense, then.