The FlameKeeper - Kaz Brekker

CH.11 - Tend not to your ghosts...

(THE GIF I USED ISN'T MINE, CREDIT TO THE MAKER!)

~~~

After they dropped off their bags, they went to the local marketplace.

In the middle of the marketplace sat a monument. Tolya, Inej, Zoya, and Nina kneeled before it and prayed as Jesper, Kaz, Wylan, and Sabo stood behind.

'Who are they praying to?' Sabo whispered to Wylan.

'It's Suntsa Sar.' Wylan replied. 'The owner of the hotel we're staying at told me. Something about honoring the dead.'

Tolya stood up from the monument and walked toward them, he held a small piece of bread.

'Just so you know.' Tolya spoke after he'd taken a bite. 'It's considered bad luck not to honor the dead during Suntsa Sar.'

'If I truly believed in luck, I'd be in less debt.' Jesper replied as he stole a glance at Wylan.

'And I'm more concerned with the living than the dead.' Kaz deadpanned.

Tolya gave them a small smile as he stood beside them. Jesper had to duck so the blade Tolya wore on his back didn't hit his head.

'Tend not to your ghosts and they will come back hungry.' Tolya quoted.

'Let me guess,' Sabo said supposedly wondering. 'Another poem?'

They'd heard enough on their way to Shu Han.

'This one is just mine, Sabo.' Tolya replied as he laid his hand on his chest. 'But thank you for comparing me with the big poets.'

'I don't know any of the big poets.' Sabo deadpanned.

'The tea shop should be open now.' Kaz said before he walked past them.

'Want a piece?' Tolya asked them, holding up his food.

'Save something for me.' Sabo said as she followed Kaz.

'I'm not good at saving food!' Tolya called after her.

'You two.' Kaz said to Nina and Inej. 'We have a teatime to make.'

----

Sabo, Nina, and Kaz were sitting at one of the tables of the famous teashop. There was a big tea kettle sitting in the middle of the table.

'How do you think it tastes?' Nina asked, trying to make conversation. 'I hope sweet, I've never liked bitter tea.' Nina said as she looked at the menu.

'It will taste like tea.' Kaz deadpanned as he looked up, checking if Inej was above them. Inej sat on the roof, wearing a hood and a mask as she observed the streets.

Sabo carefully laid her hand on her arm. It was still healing from the poison. She heated the bandages, thankful that she wore her jacket so she wouldn't be seen.

'Yes, but is it floral? Mildly sweet with notes of buttery-'

'Warm and wet.' Kaz said annoyed, clearly not wanting to make conversation.

Nina sat back in her chair and sighed annoyed. 'Saints.' she cursed under her breath.

'If it is bitter, there's always honey.' Sabo started. Nina's face lit up, happy that someone was speaking.

'What's your favorite?' she asked.

'I like the Fjerdan one.' Sabo said honestly.

Fjerdan honey reminded her of the home she'd left behind. It reminded her of all the times her mother and she drank tea together, gossiping about the latest girls who had made their debut.