The Seventh Crow

Part 11

"Kaz!" Matthias's voice screeches.

"Who are you?" Kaz speaks.

I stare at him, challenging him. I probably shouldn't, mostly because I know that is a sure way to get myself killed.

Being killed would be a very quick way of getting out of Fjerda. Besides, he doesn't look like Fjerdan so at least that's a plus to my death.

We stare at each other. His stare is very intense, so I match it. I see his stoic expression slip away for a brief second before it's back. At least I know that he isn't easily intimidated.

"Nox," I choke from the pressure on my neck. "Matthias is my brother."

Kaz turns to Matthias. I would pay everything that I own to see Matthias's expression right now, but I sadly can't because I'm stuck under some dirty boot. And I technically don't own anything.

"I'm not leaving her," I hear Matthias say.

"You'll leave her when she is dead," Kaz said.

More pressure gets applied on my neck. I let out a small squeak. Very embarrassing. Though I'm glad this band of misfits are hearing my pain then any Fjerdan soldier. They'd probably make a game out of the sound.

"Kaz stop," a small voice whispers. Kaz's pressure loosens. I suck in a quiet gasp of air. "We need Matthias."

Kaz leans down, close enough that the other wouldn't hear what he says but far enough that we have our own space. 

"If you so much as breathe wrong, I'll beat you senseless and put a bullet through your skull."

"Sounds exciting," I sass without thinking.

The face that Kaz made was hilarious but I probably shouldn't laugh. Those were real threats and threats don't exactly work on me when I’ve had them for a year and a half of my life. All non stop.

Kaz stands up and walks towards the group. Matthias hurries over to help me off the ground. But when he reaches out to touch me I'm back in my cell. 

A Fjerdan soldier reaching out to take me somewhere. I know where. The place they take me for "a bit of fun". The white cells in that dark hallway.

My breath hitches in my throat. You're fine. You're going to escape with these people and then you'll be safe. You can find Alev and find a place to settle down.

"Nox?" Matthias whispers.

I close my eyes and take a deep breath, playing it off like it was from the pressure from the boot. I let Matthias help me off the dirty roof, dusting off the dirt, and joining the others.

"We need to figure out where they are holding Bo Yul-Bayur," Kaz said. "You wouldn't happen to know where he is?"

It took me a moment to realize he was talking to me. "This is about jurda parem?"

"What do you know about the drug?" Nina asks.

"That it destroys Grisha. I've seen the bodies." I shudder at the fact. Dem's body is still fresh in my mind. Her unfeeling eyes staring at nothing and everything.

"So," Jesper starts, "do you know where he is?"

"Believe it or not, I don't get out much." I roll my eyes

"Then how are you here?" Jesper asked.

"The festivities, I'm supposed to be there."

"Why?"

The King. "I'm not sure. But if I find out, you'll be the first to know."

"Do you have anything useful?" Kaz asks.

"If you're trying to find some high secured prisoner, you need to ask a high ranking general."

The small Suli girl looks over the side of the roof. The others were too busy trying to think of ways to get a general to talk to. She signals to Kaz. I lean back a little trying to see what they are talking about. Only thing I could see/think of was a group in costumes.

"You're going to the festivities," Kaz said. I look at him. The whole point of sticking with them was so I don't have to go. "They are expecting you. And if you want a place with us for an escape, you're going to help us."

"Does it involve killing Fjerdan soldiers?"

"Not if we plan this right."

Guess I could deal with that. Though killing a couple Fjerdans would be great too. Whether I escape or not, but preferably escape. "Alright, what's the plan?"