★𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑺𝒑𝒂𝒓𝒌𝒔 𝑭𝒍𝒚 ༄ 𝑲𝒂𝒛 𝑩𝒓𝒆𝒌𝒌𝒆𝒓★

18: Skiff

"Oh, dance in the dark of night
Sing to the morning light
The dark lord rides in force tonight"
-Led Zeppelin-

I'd regained some energy after a couple drinks at the pub, and as night fell, it was time to gather our supplies.

Kaz had persuaded me to use the Kügelblitz.

I walked slowly behind the targets, my heart quickening as sparks crackled at my fingertips.

As I passed the closest one, I prodded the back of his neck with three fingers.

I wheeled around the corner, watching as he shook violently before collapsing.

Jesper came to their aid, before him and Kaz knocked them out.

I rejoined them. "How'd I do?"

Jesper nodded in amusement. "It's impressive,"

"I don't think I'd have managed if there wasn't so much kinetic energy built up from nerves," I chuckled.

We tended to the bodies.

"Are you gonna help?" Jesper asked Kaz, who simply raised his cane in response. "Oh, well, isn't that convenient for you?"

"Shut up, Jes," I prodded as I helped him drag the targets away.

"You look fine," said Inej, glancing at Jesper.

Jesper examined himself in the mirror. He laughed. "Oh, I look more than fine,"

"Maybe I should get rich? Rich people clothes are pretty neat," I remarked, blocking Jesper's view of himself as I stood in front.

I grinned as he shoved me out the way. "What do you think?"

Jesper adjusted the floral hat I wore. He nodded at his handiwork. "You suit it, nice change from the grubby puff sleeves and bland riding trousers. But you know who would like it ever more..." he trailed off with a smirk.

I glanced at Kaz and let out a laugh. "Well, thanks. I think I'm going to ignore the jab at my normal attire,"

"Maybe if you join the gang, there'll be some spare Kruge to buy you some real clothes?" Jesper shrugged.

A small smile crept across my lips as I followed him over to where Kaz sat. Maybe that was where I'd go next. I'd officially become a Crow.

"I made some edits to their papers, should be enough to get us through the checkpoint at the skiff," Kaz said, handing us each a wad of papers.

Jesper narrowed his eyes as he read his. "Huh? No one is ever going to believe I'm that old,"

"You keep telling yourself that," replied Kaz.

I leaned over, my eyes grazing the writing. "Sorry, man," I began to laugh.

Kaz laughed too. I could tell he was trying to hide it, hold it in. But, still, he laughed. Quietly.

I was to pose as Kaz's wife. We walked as casually as we could.

As we neared the checkpoint, I rapped my arm around Kaz's, pulling him closer to me.

It wasn't to be convincing, just to quench the fear inside.

Fear was an old, unwelcome friend that had reappeared after crossing the Fold. Something told me it was here to stay.

Kaz thrust the papers into the soldiers hands, a fake grin on his face.

"Glad to finally head home," he said, which wasn't inherently a lie.

The soldier nodded and we passed through.

I released my grip on his arm as we neared the skiff.

But, as we came to stand upon its deck, I felt Kaz's arm around my waist.

I relaxed a little.

"Good news? It's just as terrifying as I remember," remarked Jesper as we gazed at the black abyss which stood before us, hulking like a pompous beast.

"Except this time, we're going in exposed; like a lamb to the slaughter." I said with a worried smile.

"If I'm meant to die today, and any of you survive, make sure I have an open casket," sighed Jesper.

"No one's dying today," Kaz said firmly.

I rapped my arm around his waist, our sides flush against each other.

He glanced at me with a fleeting smile. "No mourners,"

"No funerals," I said in unison with Jesper and Inej.

As the skiff began to move, I placed a soft kiss on Kaz's cheek, which tinted pink.

Inej glanced at Jesper with raised brows, to which he responded with a smug grin.

Forth we ventured, into dark and hellish plains inhabited with the demons of which should be described in tales and no more.

But yet, there they dwelled. There, they hunted.