The Seventh Crow

Part 31

When I woke up, Nina and Matthias were already up and about. 

"Ready to go?" Matthias asks.

"No, but let's go anyway," I said.

The Ravkan Embassy wasn't too bad. There didn't seem to be too many people walking around for the middle of the day, but every person who was out stared awkwardly at Matthias.

Sometimes it's good to have a tall friend with you, but this probably isn't the best moment to be walking around with a big and tall Fjerdan.

Nina stopped to talk to some lady. Whatever they were saying seemed to be pretty funny. I wouldn't know. I don't speak Ravkan.

Funny isn't it? I helped Grisha to Ravka- some of those Grisha being a Ravka citizen- and also will be making my way to Ravka eventually and I still don't know how to say a single word in Ravkan.

Whatever they talked about, it let us slip through. It was a little busier as we kept walking. Market stands were trying to sell anything and everything to passers-by.

My gaze stopped as I saw bones hanging by some string.

"Nina?" I ask. She turns towards me with a questioning face. "Why are they selling bones?"

"Probably pretending they belong to some Saint," she answered with no more explanation.

Is that what some Ravkan's do? Sell bones and pretend they belonged to a Saint? Here I thought talking and worshipping a tree was strange.

We make our way into the tavern, Nina still leading the way. I couldn't get the images of those bones from my head.

Wearing the remains of a Saint doesn't seem in good taste. But what do I know? I'm an insignificant Fjerdan.

As soon as the door closed behind us, the people sitting at the tables got up, pointing weapons at us. Using the tables as a shield. Nina's hand twitches, ready for a fight.

Some woman with black hair makes herself known. Her face freezes in shock as she sees Nina.

"Zoya?" Nina asks.

"Nina?" she asks, still the look of shock on her face. That is until her gaze lands on Matthias and I. "What are you doing here?"

"Offering you assistance."

"For what?"

"A way out. For all Grisha."

Zoya motions for everyone to lower their weapons. I relax a little, but not a lot. The way Zoya was staring at me made me irrationally angry. I couldn't explain why.

"Let's speak somewhere less open," Zoya says. "Fjerdan's stay here."

"Fjerdan's come with if you want our help," Nina said.

Zoya nods her head, motioning for all of us to follow after her. I don't like the idea of going with her, but this isn't about me.