𝐓𝐇𝐈𝐄𝐕𝐄𝐒 𝐀𝐍𝐃 𝐀𝐒𝐒𝐀𝐒𝐒𝐈𝐍𝐒 | 𝐤.𝐛𝐫𝐞𝐤𝐤𝐞𝐫

THIRTEEN

The wound was stitched, which was already helping the healing process, and definitely reduced the pain, but laying on her front as they staked out their transportation wasn't helping it much. Valya was laid on her front, Kaz on her right, Jesper on her left, and Inej to Jesper's left.

"How many are there?" Inej inquired, looking at the men who'd come to take a look at the train.

"Two," Kaz replied. "At some point, at least one of them will have to go tell a superior what they've found. We'll go in then."

The Fold just beyond the train continued to flash with pale green lightning, and thunder rumbled. To think they'd have to go through there again was terrifying.

"Not to be that person, Kaz, but are you sure you can drive that thing?" Jesper questioned.

"Yes. On the way to Kribirsk, while you were busy hugging bait -"

"Milo! The goat's name was Milo!" Jesper protested.

"I was memorising Arken's timings."

"Not to gang up on you, Kaz, but Jes has a point," Valya stated, Kaz's head turning to look at her with somewhat of a scowl. "It's a complicated system, and the ride was chaotic to say the least. No one would blame you for missing a count."

"Jes?" Kaz repeated. Once again, the emotion in his voice was unplaceable.

"It's Suli, for friendship," Jesper told him, grinning and nudging Valya lightly.

"No, it's not," Inej and Valya said simultaneously.

"I'm not even Suli," Valya pointed out.

"Trust me, Arken and I think alike," Kaz said, moving back to the subject.

There was a loud explosion, and they all looked at the train, at the flame and smoke erupting upwards, the bits of metal flying through the air and landing near them with a clang. Well, there goes that plan.

"Too soon to appreciate the irony, am I right?" Jesper asked. Kaz hung his head in annoyance, Jesper nodding to himself. "Yeah. Too soon."

𓄿

"The skiff is still here," Inej said, removing her scarf when she'd cone back from scouting. Valya had been made to stay behind, because according to all three of them, she wasn't in the right shape to be going scouting. She needed to save her strength and not worsen the wound. In spite of how much she'd assured them she was fine, and she really was. "Travellers downstairs are complaining. They were due to cross this morning."

"Orders from the Black General. He plans to cross on it tomorrow," Kaz said.

"The general?" Jesper repeated, squinting. "Is that the same general who tried to... Oh, yeah, kill us all. That one?"

"He has the Sun Summoner."

"Was this your plan all along?" Inej asked. "To have the general get her back so you can take her again?"

"My plan is to get us across the Fold," Kas answered. "We aren't prepared for another fight."

He looked over at Valya, and she sighed. "I don't know why you all keep treating me like a kicked puppy. I'm fine." She crossed her arms lightly over herself.

"So you're not going to take another run at Alina? And you're really willing to let a million kruge go?" Inej inquired.

Kaz looked over at Jesper, then at the two girls. "Jesper and I can't do it without the two of you," he admitted. Valya was glad to hear him say it.