Two Crows Watch from the Gallows Tree (part 20)

"Lia, I expect you to study up before dinner tonight," Gowan went on. "That display was frankly depressing. Did you see the look on Lady Arianna's face?!"

“Yes, sir,” Lia murmured miserably, embarrassed.

They ascended the stairs swiftly, though Gowan slipped once and nearly tumbled all the way back down. He caught himself in time, though, and proceeded without further incident until they reached a room he seemed familiar with. A key hung from the door, which he opened. "Yours are there," he said, gesturing vaguely to the two rooms on either side of his. "Rana, I'll speak to you now. Lia, go sleep or study or something."

“Yes, Father,” Lia murmured then scurried away, choosing the nearer room that wouldn’t involve having to walk past the two of them.

Rana steeled her nerve for whatever was to come of her next.

Gowan stepped inside and held the door open for her. It was a small room taken up mostly by a wash basin, fireplace, chest, and a large bed piled high with all manner of fabric and fur blankets. A narrow window with a heavy curtain provided some light from outside, and a few candles that had been lit by servants stood on a nightstand by the bed. Gowan's luggage had been put away in the wardrobe already.

"Ewan's a good boy," Gowan said curtly. "Good breeding--his mothers and father raised him well and they all come from noble families to boot. Not as cultured as the Ashes, but Ewan's manners are more polished, to be sure. You should be thanking me for suggesting such a union!"

“Oh, yes, thank you, dear father of mine, for trying to pawn me off on a man I met five minutes ago who lives weeks upon weeks from my home. Silly me. How did I never stop to think about his pedigree over my own happiness.”

"It's that or the military." He shut the door. "I told you back home that I was thinking of sending you off--you seemed less than thrilled. This is my only other offer. Make yourself useful to the family somehow--your siblings do well enough!" He hesitated. "Well, I expected more from Lia, honestly, but she's proving a disappointment. But that's not the point!"

“She’s eleven fucking years old,” Rana snarled. “Did you not realize there’s supposed to be a childhood in there between birth and being pawned off to the highest bidder?”

"She's got an academic career ahead of her! It was decided! She'll do as she pleases! But you." He pointed a gloved finger at her. "The Jackrabbit has other plans."

Rana glared at him bitterly. “I’m smarter than her and we both know it.”

"I don't care." He wrinkled his nose in distaste. "Your irreverence is astounding. You'd do well up here! There are no gods to blaspheme against--they're all dead. Mark that as a point in favor of marriage."

“I’ll be dead too, if you get your way,” she scoffed.

"The military doesn't equal death," he snapped. "It's an honorable duty. But it's up to you--decoration as an officer or betrothal to the future Bear Lord? He's got a fine swath of land here--warmer climates than any other Lord, too."

Rana was too flustered to respond to such nonsense and headed for the door, trying to make an escape.

"Rana." His voice was hard. "Run away from your problems all you like, but these are your two choices. You have two days to give me an answer."