Two Crows Watch from the Gallows Tree (part 18)

Jerica squinted at that and scoffed. "Are they talking about me?"

Ky shrugged. They couldn't hear them... it did seem like that, though. She couldn't deny that. "Well... you kind of made yourself a..."

"... A what?" Jerica challenged, casting a sideward glance at her.

Ky shrugged and looked away, blushing.

Bay glanced between them. "You didn't talk to the Drummers, Jerica?"

"... I mean... I did," Jerica said, glancing at him. "But I'm allowed to do that."

He hesitated. "But you shouldn't."

"Why?" she asked.

"They're a dangerous group now that the gods are stirring," he replied. "I usually wouldn't care, but...their whole religion is based on waking them."

"The gods are waking with or without them," Jerica said confidently.

Ky shuddered.

Bay gave her a strange look, long and measured. Then he gave a small nod and turned away. "You're right about that."

She didn't back down, though it was unsettling. Once he looked away, she did too, glancing back over at the Drummers. She was curious who this... woman? Myna? Was and why the Drummers were telling her about Jerica. She was tempted to walk back over but then figured Ky and Bay might have a conniption if she did, so instead, she walked over and gave Ranofer a pat, sipping on her drink.

Myna glanced over at Jerica a couple more times, then made eye contact with Ky and said something to Speaker, who also looked over at her, eyes wide and intense.

Ky shrank, afraid to be the focus of their attention, and quickly turned away and hurried over to be next to Jerica. She wanted absolutely nothing to do with the Drummers. Whatsoever.

Myna nodded at Speaker, and the two continued their discussion

"They're talking about me now," Ky muttered in an urgent whisper, hiding behind the horse so that she was out of sight.

"Shit sucks." Jerica shrugged.

Ky gave her a dirty look.

"... I mean... it'll be okay?" Jerica shrugged again, but relented a bit. "Words never hurt anyone."

"That's not true at all," she scoffed.

"Well..." Jerica shrugged yet a third time, not sure how to respond. "... did you give them any reason to talk about you?"

"......... no?"

Jerica squinted at her.

"If you did, you'd best tell us now," Bay advised. "Shall I tell them to stop?"

Ky blushed profusely and shook her head. She couldn't tell them the truth. And she hoped Myna wasn't sharing her secrets, either. That'd be humiliating. She glanced back at the tavern, considering going back in. It seemed no matter where she went was hostile. Or, at least stressful. She wanted to go home.