𝕬𝖗𝖘𝖔𝖓𝖎𝖘𝖙𝖘 𝕷𝖚𝖑𝖑𝖆𝖇𝖞 - [𝗞𝗮𝘇 𝗕𝗿𝗲𝗸𝗸𝗲𝗿]

𝐱𝐯𝐢𝐢. 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘢𝘤𝘳𝘰𝘣𝘢𝘵

𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝐒𝐄𝐕𝐄𝐍𝐓𝐄𝐄𝐍 — the acrobat

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 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐂𝐑𝐎𝐖𝐒 𝐇𝐀𝐃 gathered back inside the warm embrace of the bar they had found themselves in the day prior to their little heist. Each of them was elated at their victory; Jesper and Aleksa had shared a hearty grin and a fist bump upon reuniting, and Inej had curled her arms around Aleksa's waist; thanking the summoner for her veil of shadows that had kept her safe.

 Now they all hovered over the set of blueprints that had been safely stolen by Inej. Onlookers gave the group curious stares and burnt holes into their backs as they each used their bodies as shields to obscure the plans from view.

 The blueprints, in Aleksa's delightful opinion, were a mess. It hardly looked like a set of blueprints, more so a cluster of lines and dead ends. There were at least a dozen sets of doors, one that led directly into the main hall, ones that took you through the stables, one for the tower... But none were easily accessible. Not that Aleksa had ever thought they would simply peruse through the gates, tip their hats — or Kaz would at least tip his silly thing — and be on their merry way.

 Jesper planted a long and boney finger on the map, his calloused fingertip pointing to one of the many doors, "What about..." His words faded as he followed the path with his fingertip.

 Aleksa sighed as she shook her head, using her own finger to direct him, "We can't, it leads to the weaponry, there'll be too many guards making sure someone doesn't accidentally stab the Queen or something..."

 Jesper snorted.

 "This hallway?" Inej supplied.

 Kaz pointed to the far end of the blueprints, "The only way out is through the..." He rolled his eyes at the absurdity, "Hedge maze."

 Aleksa bumped her elbow into Jespers, retraining her laugh as his drink spilt out of the glass, "It'd be a bit embarrassing for you to..." Her voice lowered, "Steal the Sun Summoner and then get lost in a maze, but I wouldn't put it past you."

 "Now, now," The sharpshoot tutted, "As if you'd do better."

 "I absolutely would, but I'm not coming inside, am I?"

 They all fell silent; each of them knew how much easier it'd be to sneak in and out of the Place with Aleksa by their sides but none of them could, nor wanted to chance the General finding her and hauling her back to her room. They needed her.

 Aleksa had, in a bout of short-lived confidence, had almost put her foot down and stated that she'd be absolutely thrilled to prance around the palace, hook her arms around their lovely Sun Summoner and parade back out... But then the thoughts of her brother came to the forefront of her mind.