Cingulomania | Kaz Brekker

06

Cordelia hated being back in East Ravka. She was too exposed here. Now that she was in Kribirsk, it would just take one person to recognize her and have her shipped off back to the Little Palace. The thought made her stomach churn. 

The Crows and Arken found themselves at a bar in Kribirsk. Cordelia had been able to clean the volcra blood off on their way. Jesper, Cordelia, and Arken were all nursing pints of alcohol while Inej had a plate of pastries sitting in front of her. Occasionally, Cordelia would sneak one off her plate, but not many. They were a bit too sweet for her taste. She was more fond of savory food while Inej, and secretly Kaz, had a sweet tooth. Jesper would eat whatever was put in front of him. Though, she did love a good sweet every now and then.

Speaking of Kaz, he had wandered off somewhere once the group decided to rest at the bar. Cordelia considered going with him but thought it best to stay put to decrease the likelihood of being recognized. 

"So..." Jesper started. "That went well." Cordelia scoffed and took a swig of her whiskey. Arken's glass hit the table. He was looking at some sort of pamphlet.

"The Little Palace Winter Fete. There's just no way he can find a way to the Sun Summoner without Nina. Especially during this ridiculous party. The place will be crawling with Second Army." 

Cordelia heard the click of the cane before anyone else. 

"We're in luck," Kaz said, coming up behind her. He seemed in an infinitely better mood than before. "There's a good chance we can crack on. Now that we're three days' travel from the capital, the next play is finding a way inside the Little Palace. It turns out the Kribirsk archives house the Little Palace blueprints."

This was looking up for them.

"But... they're kept under lock and key. Far from the prying eyes of the masses," Kaz said with a wicked smile, looking right at Cordelia. Its twin found a spot on her own lips. Cordelia could practically hear Jesper's smile beside her.

"Yes!" Jesper exclaimed, banging a hand on the table. 

"What does that mean?" Arken asked, clearly confused as to why this was a good thing. Even Inej was smiling a bit.

"Time for a heist," Jesper answered, clapping the Conductor on the shoulder. 

"Don't worry," Cordelia told the man with a feral grin. "It's our specialty."

Unfortunately for Jesper, the heist meant having to give away the goat he had become all too attached to. Milo, Jesper called it. Cordelia watched as he gave the goat to a barmaid, trying not to laugh too hard. 

"I have a job for you," Kaz said to Arken, grabbing Cordelia's attention. She turned around in her seat. "We need to hitch a ride east to the Little Palace."

"Hmm."

"Make friends," Kaz told him, slapping some money down on the bar. "You're with me, Devereux." Cordelia stood from her seat and shrugged on her jacket before slamming down the rest of her drink. 

"But that's the hardest part," the Conductor complained to Kaz. But he and Cordelia were already walking away. 

"You managed to win us over didn't you?" Kaz called back to the man. Cordelia scoffed at his side. 

"Oh, sure he did," she whispered sarcastically. 

The two walked through the busy streets. They were in need of new clothes for this heist. Once they found something suitable, Cordelia had to stifle a laugh as she looked at Kaz. He looked utterly ridiculous. 

"Not a word," he muttered. 

"Oh of course not. Saints forbid anyone back in the Barrel heard about their beloved Bastard wearing colors so bright that only Jesper Fahey would consider donning," she teased.