Young Writers Society

“She’s fiiiiine, Kieran.” Akeno had thawed out, finally, and was feeling optimistic. He reached over to wrap his arm around Kieran’s shoulders and mussed up his hair with his other hand. “I wanna hang out with her as much as you do, but you know as well as we do that Jer could kick all three of our asses at the same time.”

They were sitting a bit away from any of the other soldiers, backs to the door. Rek was on Kieran’s other side and glanced up just as Derik walked up directly behind Akeno. Akeno glanced at him, then sensed a presence behind himself and glanced up to see Derik.

Akeno started, jumping up to his feet. “Respectfully, sir. Very respectfully.”

“Mhmm,” Derik said flatly, glancing at him.

“Lieutenant Jerica is in the women’s dormitory, sir.”

“I’m aware.”

“Yessir.” Akeno blushed and glanced away.

Gaius sent a small group of escorts to the barracks while he sat at his desk and considered what his next move was. He desperately hoped Ky and Tomhas would be back soon. In the meantime he'd have to be very, very careful what he said and the escorts would have to observe the newcomers closely.
There was also D'Ara to worry about. She'd chewed him out thoroughly and she was bound to do so with Tomhas. Plus, Ky had met her before. Surely D'Ara had noticed the similarity between her and the Ainsleys.
And where did Ky's father fit into all this? Derik hadn't seemed particularly sad when Gaius mentioned Petrir. He seemed confused and uncomfortable.

The three boys watched Derik closely, trying to figure out what had happened in the few minutes that had transpired since they parted. Derik was being deliberately calm, which made Rek fairly certain that something was definitely wrong. But he also knew better than to ask. And Kieran and Akeno were both somewhat anxious around Derik at baseline and therefore were more keyed into their own emotions than his, so they missed the way his jaw was clenched, ever so subtly.

"So...?" Rek said, standing up and turning to look at his father.

"So..." Derik sighed and rubbed his face.

"...Not good?" Whoops. Maybe he was going to ask anyway.

Derik glanced over his shoulder to look at D'Ara's men. They didn't seem to be paying too much attention to them, but one could never be too careful. "... Not necessarily... but... also not simple."

Rek furrowed his brow.

"I will explain... it will not be now," Derik said carefully, glancing at his charges. "You will entertain yourselves and give me time to think."

Rek's brow furrowed further but he nodded slowly. "...Okay." He turned back towards Kieran, on babysitter mode, it seemed. "C'mon -- I think I saw a deck of cards over by the hearth."

He led Kieran away, Akeno close behind. No chance in hell was he poking that bear. He already recognized his folly in falling in love with the surrogate daughter of the second most powerful man in the country who single-handedly controlled the entire military. No point in making his position even more precarious.

Derik watched them go, then sat down on the edge of the cot nearest his saddle bags with a heavy sigh. He pulled out a notepad and scratched down in pencil:

We have a mess. I stumbled across the thing you recently stashed. There are questions. I don't have answers. You need to get here immediately. And tell me what to do in the meantime. I'm meeting with the snake in an hour -- what do I tell him?
-MD

He folded it up, glancing around to be sure no one was paying attention to him. When he was sure of it, he took a deep breath and focused all his energy into finding Zander. The connection was a dull, dull throb. He was nearly out of range. But Derik was pretty sure he could get the letter through. So he focused on tapping into the R'hyk, imagining the molecules of the paper ripping themselves apart into thousands of atoms and then hurdling themselves through time and space. A moment later, they jolted to a stop. He could only hope they landed in Zander's hands.

(just to be clear he signs off as -MD because his name is Derik Medeiros but he inverts so it's ever so slightly less obvious ^^)

(Ah okay cool!)

Zander would certainly have some explaining to do, if he ever got back here. Gaius would contact him if he thought it'd do any good, but gods only knew where he was at this point. He supposed Rönn should be returning in the next few weeks--he could ask him to get a message to Zander, as inefficient as that was.
The entire claim of diplomacy and exploration was a bit strange, too. There had been little communication from the settled Rhaebaki government--Gaius preferred to deal with the indigenous nomads than with the bureaucratic and often pompous governors in any Southern province. The tribal Rhaebaki inhabitants had long been his allies and he thought he'd made that clear. It was strange that Governor Ainsley was reaching out to the North now, and to him first, no less. The Barrasters and Bledroes were more on the way, as was Tomhas's Keep. To skip all of them and come straight north with D'Ara rather than break off from the group was odd. He'd have to be wary of Derik's intentions even if this familial issue was resolved.

God fucking damn it why the fuck are you there?

This… isn’t good. I let them believe I was the only one, like we’d agreed. I assume he called you on it? He’s smart. As sharp as ma. Watch yourself.

Derik raised an eyebrow. He was truly screwed if that was the case. Their mama didn’t miss anything. Any. Thing. It was a miracle Zander had made it through childhood under her watch given how little bull shit their mother took from him or anyone else.

It didn’t make him feel good about his odds. He kept reading.

You'll have to tell him, I guess. Part of it. Keep names to yourself and be judicious on details. But… goddamn it I don’t see another option here. Do you?
-A

(For Alexandyr aka his real name that literally no one calls him if he’s not talking in code lol)

No. I don’t have any ideas, that’s why I wrote you. Tell me the names you’ve used with this half of the narrative so I can make it cohesive.

Derik sighed and rubbed his face as he waited for the next response. This was exhausting. But he’d need to be quick. Last thing he wanted was the child returning before he had a chance to sort this out.

It only took a few minutes before a scrap of slightly-damp paper materialized by his leg. He picked it up and unrolled it.

Kylia Ruiarc. She believes her father to be Petrir — he died by his own hand. It’s… sore for her. I claimed that surname, kept my first. Aleth fucking Klev got his hands on her. Long story, but I’m off trying to track down his mess. He sent assassins after her. I… god. Should I come back? It’ll take me two weeks, maybe, if I rush it.

Derik glanced around, grateful no one was paying attention.

Maybe. He’s understandably wary of me. It’s your mess; come clean it up.

He supposed once Derik came back he should have a game plan. He should tell Sara, really; having an extra pairs of eyes would be useful.
Gaius rose, poking his head out the door. Abelard was back patrolling.
"I have one more job for you," he said to the servant. "Find my wife; ask them to meet me in my office if you wouldn't mind."
"Yessir." Abelard bobbed his head and strode off. Gaius limped back to his seat and sank down, running a hand through his hair. He'd need to fill Sara in on everything. Hopefully she'd put Derik a bit more at ease, too; even after years living as a noblewoman she had that easy charm of a farm girl. She was slower to be suspicious and knew how to conceal any judgement she made behind a friendly smile. Gaius was good at wearing a mask, too, but it was far less disarming. If anything his implacable expression was more unnerving to people he interrogated. Gods knew he needed Derik's tongue loose if he wanted any real information.
He'd have some mead sent up as well; there was nothing like a little of the Northern Realm's sweet drink to ease tension.

Alright. Fine. I’ll be there in a fortnight. Try… to be gentle with her. And the father, too, if he crosses your path. He seems just as delicate. Neither will take it well. The uncle won’t like it, but he can keep his head about him. You could talk to the wife or apothecary. Anything you say to him goes straight to them anyhow. Be… careful with the father and the girl. They… talk.

Derik straightened his back. So he needed to get back to Ash soon, then. When it could still be a private meeting.

Understood.

He stood up and started for the door.

Gaius explained in as much detail as he could once Sara arrived, and she listened with patience.
"Is there anything...wrong with him being her uncle?" Sara asked from where she sat beside him, brow furrowed.
"Not at all," Gaius replied. "But there have been some...omissions on Zander's part, I expect. Not all we were told of him and Ky is strictly true. We'll see what Ky knows of this, but I suspect she's oblivious. We'll have to handle this delicately."

(Idk how easily Derik will be able to get an escort but he probably wouldn’t really talk to them unless forced if you wanna gloss over the walk a bit?)

Derik glanced at Rek, who stood up from their game. “Stay.”

Rek furrowed his brow. He desperately wanted to argue. To ask questions. But in the barracks, this was his commander, not his father. He had to obey. He dipped his head. “Sir.”

Derik turned and pulled the door open, expecting to find a guard of some sort waiting for him to be sure he didn’t leave on his own.

(Yeah we can gloss it; there'll be an npc to guide him)

Gaius and Sara discussed it further, and the mead was brought in with three glasses. Two guards were posted by the door as well.

Derik focused on collecting his thoughts and how he was going to approach this narrative, grateful that his escort didn’t force a conversation. Soon they were back to the hall just in front of Ash’s office. Derik straightened his shoulders.

The guards opened the doors for them and followed them inside.
Gaius was seated in his chair, and Sara was in a chair of equal size beside him. She had her hands folded in her lap and was observing Derik attentively but without any aggression. Gaius appeared as he had before--sharp-eyer and grim.
"Welcome back," he said to Derik. "I trust you've had some time to process whatever it was that so distressed you earlier and are prepared to offer an explanation?"

“I am.” Derik inclined his head, striding inside. “Thank you for that allowance.” He glanced at the woman. “Lady Ash, I presume?”

She dipped her head. "That's correct. It's a pleasure to meet you, General Ainsley."
"Please sit," Gaius said, gesturing to the chair across from them. "Have you tried the mead up here? It's another export of ours we're quite proud of."

“You as well,” Derik nodded to her and strode toward, glancing at the cups. He knew exactly what this was. “No thank you.” He glanced at the guards. They didn’t seem to be intending to leave. That wouldn’t do at all. Zander had cleared the wife; no guards. He glanced back at Ash. “I understand the… precautions… but what I have to say must be treated with the utmost secrecy. I’m not comfortable having this conversation in front of any ears but the two sets of yours. I’m willing to surrender my weapons or whatever precaution you deem appropriate, but I’m not willing to risk this information with a hired hand. I’m sure you understand?”