Two Crows Watch from the Gallows Tree (part 18)

"You'll just be freezing yourselves to bits," Feyer said with a shrug.
"But it's been awhile since we've paid them a visit," Cairbry pointed out. "You know as well as I do that they need to be reminded of who's the technological superpower of this world. Especially Ash; he likes digging his little fingers into places they shouldn't be. He's a dredger."

That was rich. Her father — of all people — complaining about people getting too cocky. “…who will we visit first, sir?” Best to flatter in front of an audience.

"Ash. Then Tarr, then down to Loquitur."
"The Loquitur boy goes by his first name too," Feyer mused. "He's even wilder than his brother. Softer, too."

Rana nodded. Perhaps she’d like them, then. And they’d bookend the asshole. So that was nice she guessed.

"Well, I know Loquitur, sort of." Cairbry sipped at his tea. "His father has roots in the East. Rana, where's Lia?"

“Uh…” she froze, staring at him. “…I’m not sure, I haven’t seen her… would you like me to go look for her?”

"No." He shook his head. "It's just that she isn't usually late..."

(Not me, forgetting about her lol)

“…that’s true.” Rana glanced at the door, now a little concerned. It wasn’t like Lia not to be absolutely perfect. What had happened?

(Hehee)

Cairbry glanced toward it, then snapped his fingers. A servant came in and bobbed a curtsey. "Fetch Lia for me," he ordered. The servant curtsied again and left.
"What do you hope to learn up in the North while your father oversees diplomacy, miss Rana?" General Feyer asked, stirring sugar into her tea.

“…um…”

Lia came through the door breathlessly, blushing profusely as she wobbled into a hasty curtsy. “Sorry I’m late.” She seemed to be favoring her left ankle.

Cairbry got to his feet. "Better late than never, dearest. Are you alright?" He looked down at her leg in concern as Feyer rose and bowed.

Rana felt awkward being the only one sitting and stood up, also looking at her sister in concern.

“Yes, sir.” Lia shuffled forward doing her absolute best not to limp, and yet not fully being able to hide it. She grimaced a little and blushed even more, dropping her gaze. “I… just twisted my ankle.” And skinned her knee. But she’d gone back to change into a different dress that was long enough she didn’t think she’d have to admit that, since she’d gotten it to stop bleeding. “I’m sorry.”

"So long as you're here." He sat back down. "This is General Feyer; you'd have met her when you were still little."
"It's good to see you again, miss," Feyer said with a nod; she remained standing politely.

Rana could tell Lia was more hurt than she was letting on, and stepped forward to give her an awkward hug. Neither of them enjoyed it. But it gave her an excuse to wrap her arm around Lia and support her weight under the guise of sisterly affection as she helped her to the couch to sit down in the middle between their father and where Rana sat.

“You as well, General.” Lia nodded to her, settling onto the couch. “How do you do?”

"I'm well, thank you, but tired. How do you feel about this northward journey your father is taking you on?"