Two Crows Watch from the Gallows Tree (part 20)

(Hehe good question)

Shea was indeed dozing over her food; Forrest seemed to think waking her wasn't necessary. Gowan was trying hard to focus on eating and listening to the conversation at the same time; the tips of his ears were bright red, a sure sign of anger and embarrassment.

(haha, you're good)

Lia blushed even more when she noticed her father's silent rage and then fixed her gaze on her plate. Best to stay quiet. Maybe Rana would feel awkward and speak up, then Father would forget he was angry at Lia and just yell at Rana instead. She'd feel bad for sacrificing her sister. But, well. Rana was just doomed to be Father's verbal punching bag it seemed. No point in adding herself to the row.

Rana did indeed feel like she should say something to keep things moving. "What was your favorite part of your time at University?" she looked at Ewan.

Ewan thought for a moment, chewing his tripe. "Hmmm. I'll sound dull for saying this, but I really, really enjoyed the classes. The professors were usually interesting, the lessons were great, and I met a lot of good friends there. It's hard to keep in touch now, of course, but if I need connections in the East at some point I know I'll be able to reach out to them."

Rana nodded. "That makes sense." She glanced over at Father. That seemed like a great segue, right? Connections in the East? Wasn't that their express purpose in being here? Would he take it?

Gowan returned her glance with a look of long-suffering irritation and exhaustion, then straightened up and said, "Your appreciation of Eastern institutions is wonderful, Ewan. Do you suppose you'll return to a university later in life?"

"Likely not," Ewan replied. "I'm preparing to take over from my mothers, once they've retired."
"Or died," Constance added.
"Hopefully not. But that's a lot of work," he went on. "If I need more book learning the I expect I'll have to borrow knowledge from Lord Ash and his family."

"I've heard he's very intelligent," Rana offered. "I'm sure it'd be a privilege to study under him, if he has the time."

"We'll see if we all survive this war, first," Arianna said grimly.

Rana glanced at her and hesitated, then dipped her head. How did one even go about answering that?

"Come now, Lady Arianna." Shea had stirred from her slumber. "Don't be so dour. Wars come and go, and you two are survivors if I ever saw some."

"We're lucky to have good sense, that's all. But Tarr has made a move that breaks the laws of this land. We need to retaliate or he might attack us, too. We're more at risk than we've ever been."

Rana perked up at that, listening intently though she tried to pretend she was focused on picking at her plate.

"Can we discuss this after we've rested?" Gowan asked, clearly strained but trying to be polite. "Talking business after so long on the road has to be some sort of bad luck."

"It may be," Constance agreed, shooting Arianna a look, which she returned in kind. "The servants have had your rooms made up by the time you finish eating, so you can retire and rejuvenate as soon as you're done. I know the route north from the East can be difficult, with all those mountains."

Rana didn’t know whether to be disappointed or relieved. She’d wanted to eavesdrop but also the mention of rest made her realize just how tired and weary to her bones she was. She’d welcome the rest.

"That's true," Shea agreed with a heavy sigh. "I'll welcome those big Northern beds of yours; you know how to pile on the blankets!"

"We have to," Constance chuckled. "It's quite cold, if you hadn't noticed!"

Rana offered a polite smile and then started in on her food in earnest. She didn’t like the lichen bread but managed to eat it without wrinkling her nose, then followed it up with some of the good bread and tried to convince herself it had all tasted like that.

Shea was first to finish, followed shortly by Forrest. "Many thanks for the meal," she said with a nod to Constance and Arianna. "If it isn't too rude of me I'll retire to my chambers now--I'm positively beat."
"Be our guest!" Constance rose and shook her hand. "Sleep well, madam."