The Act of Duplicity [General Kirigan]

twenty-seven

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    The brown fabric pooled at Nataliya's feet when Kaz threw the clothes at her. She frowned at the items and picked them up, feeling just how dirty the clothes were with her fingers. When she looked at Kaz again he already turned his back to her and limped away, leaning on his cane for every second step he took. She got the message that she was supposed to wear the clothes he just presented to her but the idea of that deeply saddened her.

    This was her congratulations for helping Inej and healing her to her best abilities. The prize was trust from all three members of the Dregs gang as Nataliya was informed during a quick and short strategy talk. The fact that she told them an easy way home on the skiff meant a lot to them but somehow she wasn't left off the hook. She wasn't interrogated anymore by Kaz but he did let her know that they needed her.

    Nataliya thought back to the General and what she was doing right at this moment. Even if she had a choice it didn't feel like one. She can't just waltz back into the military camp because she's pretty sure that either Jesper could shoot her, Inej could lodge a knife in her and made her die on the spot or Kaz would knock her out and beaten her to her death. And if someone in the Second Army learned that she helped the criminals, well she doesn't know what would happen then.

    With a low grumble, she picked the rest of the clothes up and started unbuttoning her kefta. The red kefta she will probably never see in her life again. She made sure to pick out the Safin Pendant and store it safely in the pocket of her new brown and dirty coat. While she was changing clothes a conversation was happening in the room next to hers.

    ''You really trust her?'' asked Inej.

    ''I have a plan.'' Answered Kaz. ''And she's the key. Besides, she hadn't escaped in this whole time since we let her go.''

    ''Maybe she knows we'll kill her if she tries.'' Added Jesper.

    ''She could kill all three of us at the same time if she wanted.'' Said Inej.

    ''And that is why criminals work so well together, we have mutual agenda and trust now,'' said Kaz. ''Let's go.''

    When Nataliya already thought all of them are about to leave Inej spoke up again. ''That night that you sent me to spy I heard she has quite a deal with the General. That she might have a personal agenda against him is that why she's here?''

    No answer.

    ''What in the world are you planning?''

    ''We have a lot more to do before we board that skiff.'' Kaz dismissed Inej's question completely.

    The steady thud of his cane hitting on the ground is what Nataliya heard next before he appeared in her sight. She acted as if she didn't hear the whole conversation but she doubted that Kaz believed her. Maybe he wanted her to hear it, if he didn't he wouldn't discuss it with Jesper and Inej in the next room with no door to soundproof it. All Kaz did was motion with his head to the exit and Nataliya followed without a question. Their trek route was directed to Kribirsk and they weren't far off.