Two Crows Watch from the Gallows Tree (part 19)

She nodded to her.

Rana headed back to the inn, working on her alibi. Had Lia ratted on her? Almost certainly. Was Father angry? Also likely. What would she say? She wasn’t sure.

(If Cairbry's even back from his bath)

There was no other trouble on her way back; the Northern nomads had moved on and were conversing with some settlers now.

(True lol It’s fully up to you ^^ I don’t think Lia would have left the room herself because she’s an anxious bean lol but if she saw him she definitely squealed. But also idk if he’d even give a fuck)

Rana let herself back into her room, bracing for the worst.

(I feel like he'd spend as little time by himself as possible; he'd probably bring the courtesans up to his room to entertain them with food and tea before getting raunchy so maybe Lia had an opportunity then?
I don't think he'd care at all frankly; he'd be like "oh how was it did you bring me and your sister anything")

Voices were coming from the other suite; Cairbry was laughing raucously at something one of his guests had said. There were two other men's voices joining his, one soft and low and the other rather shrill.

(Fair lol)

“Rana!” Lia rushed towards her with a scowl. “You can’t just leave me like that!”

Rana glanced at her, then glanced at the adjoining door, and then closed the door behind her. “You’re fine. It sounds like Father was right next door anyway.”

Lia wrinkled her nose.

Rana did, too.

Neither of them wanted to have to listen to what was sure to be coming, and it sounded like these rooms weren’t very sound proof. “Whatever. I brought you some candy.” Rana held the bag out to her.

Lia hesitated, then took it. “Don’t leave me again. I don’t like that.”

Cairbry's voice came through the door as he heard their voices. "Rana? Are you back?"

She grimaced and bit back a sigh. “Yes sir!” She glanced at Lia and muttered under her breath, “Rat.”

"Did you bring us anything?" he demanded; he wasn't getting up.

“Um… I brought some candy.” She took the bag back from Lia, who flared at her. She sighed softly. “…Do you want me to bring it over?”

"Obviously. We've run out of finger sandwiches!"

“Okay.” She reluctantly walked over to the door and opened it but didn’t step through immediately, giving a beat for him to yell at her if they were in a compromising position or something. She damn sure didn’t want to see anything.

There was no response. Cairbry was reclining on a chaise lounge in a fluffy bathrobe; he'd removed his makeup and was nestled up against a gigantic man with a bristly beard and bulging muscles. In his own arms there was a wiry man about his age with blonde hair and freckles.

Rana walked towards them quietly and offered the bag to Cairbry. “I got an assortment.”

"What kinds?" He asked lazily.