Rule of Saints {The Red Ribbon Sequel}

The Crows in Ravka

~ Y/N pov ~

It has been about two weeks since I sent Kaz the letter. The palace grounds have had a sort of hushed atmosphere since the attack. The survivors are mourning silently, still reeling from the fact that we lost so many so quickly. Even Leoni's bright composure seems a little dull.

I've buried the dead, attempted to see the Darkling again, and have racked my brain to think of who could be a Saint in this world. None of these activities have brought me any progress or joy. Even tea with Genya just consists of two mourners sharing silence for half an hour, sitting still as statues while our tea gradually cools down.

But within the silence, I have anticipation. To take action against the Darkling, to see my friends again, to do something. And because no one in the Little Palace knows about my new endeavor, I just wait and listen for any sound at all to shatter the unusual still of the heart of Os Alta.

I pace the main entrance of the Little Palace, burning daylight by doing nothing at all.

And then, I hear it.

~ Kaz Pov ~

It has been about two weeks since Y/N sent me the ominous letter. I hope whatever she needs isn't urgent because we can't exactly travel to Ravka in one day. If only she explained whatever was wrong with the sand in Cofton. Jes is being an ass and refuses to tell us until we reunite with her.

The carriage rolls to a stop, and I gladly exit first. Being cramped with three other people for hours has made me nauseous, not that I'd ever show it. I tap my cane on the cobblestones as Inej, Wylan, and Jesper pile out of the carriage. I study the gate that protects the palace grounds from outsiders; people who aren't grisha. A guard stands at attention, watching our every move.

Jesper leans down to whisper, "Am I the only one getting bad vibes here?"

I push him away from my face with my cane. "Relax. We have been requested to enter the grounds from a grisha within the palace. We will get through."

"And if we get denied because we look like a bunch of criminals? Oh wait, we are a bunch of criminals," Jes continues.

Wylan doesn't take his eyes off the guard. "Could you say that a bit louder? I don't think the whole of Ravka heard you."

"Oh my, Wylan is starting to sound sarcastic like Kaz. You better watch yourself, Jes," Inej says.

Jesper rolls his eyes. "I know, I know. But seriously, what if the guard doesn't let us through?"

I begin walking towards the gate. "Well, let's hope that he does. And if he doesn't, well, let's just say this cane isn't just made for walking."

"Kaz." Inej says sternly, not impressed with my implications. She used to live in Ravka before ending up in Ketterdam. And though the Suli people have been persecuted by people like this guard, she still can't seem to hold anything against them. Imagine.

The group is bickering behind me as I step to the guard, and before I can even say a word, I get interrupted:

"You do not have permission to enter the palace grounds," the guard tells me, firmly gripping his rifle.