1.8

Jewel had not anticipated that the most important duty for Gem would be to distract her from a death’s vigil on a family ally.

“Not even candied apples on sweet bread?! That’s my second favorite!”

But here she was, and right now the best distraction she could manage was to speak with the second Kliatbatrn son. Whose name was Petrove, something that was astoundingly somehow difficult for her larger self to focus on.

“Oh I agree they are delicious but if I eat them it gives me the shits and makes me vomit, sometimes simultaneously! So going to pass, the juices on the venison last night was alright though. Very tart!”

The far taller (and technically older) boy snickered at her word choice, then winced on reflection.

“Well that’s just awful unfair! I don’t know what I’d do if I couldn’t eat candied apple sweet bread or nutmeg and mountain berry rolls!”

Gem shrugged and kicked her legs. It was technically kind of improper to be sitting on the feasting table like this but as the daughter of the countess and being as small as she was she was finding she could get away with a lot.

Petrove’s tone of voice, scent and the slight pain in his eyes showed he was just as desperate for the distraction as the collective self of Jewel and Gem.

But unlike her he was far worse at maintaining it.

Not that she could fault him.

It wasn't her father who had not walked or even opened his eyes in fifteen days..

“Do you really think the cou- I mean your mom and that wizard can save pa?”

It was really quite astonishing; it had only taken one full day for the Bog Wizard to get to Kliatbatrn from Rochford.

But that did not mean all was saved.

Gem huffed and racked her memory for what she recalled from the last time she slipped by the absolutely awful smelling bed chamber where lord Kliatbatrn was still hanging by a thread to life.

When the strain of another long night’s vigil curdled up in her memory.

“With Tsug? If your pa was a frog I’d say it was a certainty he’d be right as rain. But otherwise? Not so clear.”

Stupid mistake.

Gem realized she should have said something else as soon as the words left her mouth. The way the man looked so much like a boy with crushed dreams just then hurt Gem’s heart.

Had to salvage that!

“Hey now! Mother swore she’d try and she’s turned a thousand men into waifs and only had to sleep it off for a few days. Our families are sworn allies, Kliatbatrn and Rochford! Practically brothers and sisters we are!”

Ugh that wasn't enough.

Petrove was on the brink of incontinent tears and Gem was gonna get dragged into it.

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This would not do.

Mind made up Gem hopped off the table. Using the landing to push her lungs empty in a bark.

It was a neat trick she learned a few years ago. The sound very much surprised people that had not been around her for very long. It was a bit like the tiniest and most quiet gryphon Gem could possibly imagine.

Which is to say it was both shrill, musical and deeply resonant in a way that could make small trinkets buzz if they were close to her throat.

It was a good noise for shocking people out of a grim mood Gem found.

Couldn't use it too often though.

Can’t have anyone getting used to it.

“None of that Petrove! We are going to Dariusz and he is going to make us some candied pork and you are going to learn what a real treat tastes like! They are absolutely scrumptious!”

And with a firm tugging of his hand that had to drift to mostly pulling on his fingertips when he stood up they were off!

Gem took the lead, not because he didn't know the way in his own home, but because she had found if you kept the initiative in these things one could keep people going in the time it took their thoughts to catch up to their feet.

Just because her primary duty for this visit was to help bring some relief to the rest of herself did not mean Gem couldn't keep working on her intrigue!

She had a skip in her steps and an eager tingle in her legs that had nothing to do with wyrmfire or sorcery. It helped that all this talk of their favorite treats had put a hunger in her belly and a wetness to her tongue.

Petrove found the words to insist.

“I still think you’re a crazy lizard runt for that! There is no way candied pork is better than syruped bread!”

Gem tried to swallow as discreetly as possible. But she suspected if her company was not so addled he’d have spotted the many times her throat had to gulp down her drool. It was just one of the many indignities of Jewel’s spawn.

However fortunately in at least that one way Petrove’s tragedy helped.

Gem tried to focus on the little kernel of joy in her belly at imminent treats. Letting her hips and tail swing so her skirts swished around her legs as she skipped at a near jog to keep up with the pace of the young man’s far longer stride.

“I’ll wager a Grosz your plate will be empty and you beg for more after you taste even one!”

Petrove’s tone rose a bit in just a hint of frivolity and mock rightousness.

But he was still brittle and even a bit bitter in the scent of him.

“Deal ya crazy beastchild...”

Gem flashed a toothy grin up at him.

“That’s Countdottir Rochford, the beast child to you, Baronson Kliatbatrn!”

That got a weak snicker from her ‘charge’ and he bent a bit at the waist even while he had to stumble somewhat to avoid stepping on Gem. Her diminutive stature let her move in the space of his legs in a way that Adelyne said was a great way to stick knives in the vital spots along the thighs and groin.

Apparently it was a maneuver the waifs in the beggar’s guild were favoring recently.

As they finally burst into the kitchens, with Petrove cursing Gem for only just barely not tripping him for the fifth (and final time) Gem belted out with the full volume and force her scrunched up throat could manage.

“Dariusz! Candied Pork! Your honor has been challenged by this mere Baronson!”

Gem’s Master of kitchens laughed at her and shook his head.

“I was just going to send for you little miss, your lunch is just about ready.”

She clapped her hands and cackled like a flock of crows crossed with a pup.

Much to the bewildered but honest amusement of Petrove.

Excellent! Distraction achieved!

And now she could eat her favorite treat!