Two Crows Watch from the Gallows Tree (part 20)

Ky glanced up at her, then blushed and shrugged and looked at the ground again. “I’m happy with whatever you prefer.”

Jerica looked at her skeptically. It was clear she wasn’t. Why wouldn’t she just say she wanted to stay with Anneke? This was frustrating.

Anneke studied her, then looked back at Tomhas, who had busied himself chatting with Oscar. "Well, Jerica, would you prefer a servant or your sister?"

“Uhhhhhhh.” Jerica looked at Ky. She preferred her sister, obviously. But she wasn’t a monster. She wasn’t going to pull Ky away from her mother. “… servant?” She glanced back at Anneke. “My-our-uncles and cousin need the tour, too, though.”

"Of course, of course!" She nodded and looked to the servant holding Raina. "Here, I can take her--would you please see to it that everyone gets settled and shown around?"
"Of course!" The servant rose and gave Raina to Anneke.

Jerica nodded and gave Ky a hearty pat on the shoulder, then dipped her head and followed the servant.

Tomhas glanced over at Anneke and Ky. Anneke glanced between them. "Oscar, Peter, can you play by yourselves for just a little while?" she asked.
"I wanna be with Father," Oscar protested.
"Just for a little bit--I'll bring him right back, I promise." She gave an encouraging nod. Oscar pouted, then nodded back.
Anneke gestured to the side room, and Tomhas went inside. "You too, Ky," she said quietly.

(Bro I gotta travel for work tomorrow and I’m big not ready lol)

“Me—?” Ky gestured at herself uncertainly, glancing at the room. “In…?” Or go ‘play by yourself’?

(Eww traveling for work ain't fun
Unless it is sometimes)

"In, please. With us."

(I usually like it but I’m so tired and don’t feel like it lol
I ended up procrastinating packing so then I went to bed late so now I’m exhausted haha)

Ky nodded and obediently stepped into the room, biting her lip. Her chest felt so tight. Was she in trouble? What had she done wrong? Should she apologize? She felt like she should apologize.

(Aw man)

Anneke shut the door behind them; it was a small side parlor with a couch and a few chairs. She sat down in one of the chairs. "Do we want to talk a bit about what's going on with you two?" she asked quietly.

Ky blushed profusely and fidgeted, looking anywhere and everywhere but her parents.

Tomhas ducked his head down. Anneke sighed.
"You both seem...completely miserable. It was a long few months, I know. But this is...what happened?"

Ky looked at her guiltily and then glanced away again. “A… lot… the gods are stirring… and making it everyone’s problem.”

Her brow furrowed. "...I'm not sure I understand. You're talking about the earthquakes?"

Ky nodded. “And then trolls… and Rönn… and Stone Mother…”