❝ 𝐑𝐀𝐕𝐄𝐍 ❞ | kaz brekker

¹⁰ brave faces

❝ 𝐑𝐀𝐕𝐄𝐍 ❞

brave faces

"The skiff is still here," Inej announced as she met with the rest of the crows. "Travelers downstairs are complaining. They were due to cross this morning."

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

"The General?" Jesper asked. "Is that the same general who tried to, oh yeah, kill us all. That one?"

"I heard he has the Sun Summoner," Paedyn added from her seat next to Kaz. When they had originally sat down, she pretended not to notice that he moved his chair just a bit closer to hers.

"Was this your plan all along?" Inej questioned, narrowing her eyes at Kaz. "To have him get her back so you can take her again?"

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

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

"We can't do this without you," Paedyn replied, looking up into her friend's eyes.

"Been saying that since day one," Jesper added.

"And you've made your position perfectly clear," Kaz finally spoke up.

"So all you want is to cross the Fold?"

Kaz nodded. "Once we land in Novo-Kribirsk, it's your choice what you do next."

"Okay," Inej replied, sliding into a seat.

"Hang on," Jesper sat up, "Are we talking about boarding a skiff with people who will recognize us? People who don't like us?"

"We'll have to blend in. Who else was on that skiff?"

"Some people from the winter fete. Dignitaries from Kerch and Novyi Zem on their way back home," Inej responded.

"Now they're audience to one more light show," Kaz muttered, the gears turning inside his head. "Jesper, how did you enjoy playing a Zemeni guard?"

Kaz's plan was quickly set into motion. From the rooftops, Inej and Paedyn took out two of the dignitaries, while Kaz and Jesper took out the other two from the ground.

"You look fine," Inej said as Paedyn pushed Jesper away from the mirror. Inej gave the Ravkan a look, repeating her sentence.

"Oh, I look more than fine." Jesper laughed, causing Paedyn to roll her eyes.

"Overconfident?" She raised an eyebrow teasingly.

"I made some edits to their papers," Kaz spoke up, handing out the papers. "Should be enough to get us through the checkpoint and onto the skiff."

Jesper took his papers and gasped. "Huh? No one is ever going to believe I'm that old."

"You tell yourself that," Kaz replied, handing Paedyn her papers. She gave them a quick look, memorizing who she was pretending to be.

─ ☆ ─

Jesper went first, handing his documents to the man sitting at the checkpoint. He gave the man a smug grin as he said, "I know. I look amazing for my age."

"Well, I thought you looked older," the man replied, handing him his papers back. He gestured for Paedyn, who was next in line.

With no issues, the group of four made it through the checkpoint. They walked casually towards the skiff, only stopping when whispers from around them caught their attention.

Following everyone's gaze, they all stopped and turned around. Paedyn's breath hitched as she saw Kirigan and Alina walk out of a tent. The girl seemed uncomfortable, which prompted Paedyn to look around for her sister.

Gloved fingers brushed against hers and Paedyn turned to Kaz. His eyes seemed to be asking if she was alright and Paedyn almost froze at the sight of such emotion in them. She gave him a slight nod, turning to Inej.

The Suli girl nodded. "I know. Not until Novo-Kribirsk."

Paedyn link arms with Inej, the girls following behind the boys as they boarded the skiff. The Fold loomed over them, but Paedyn reminded herself to keep her chin up. 

Stronger, she reminded herself. She needed to be stronger.

The crows placed themselves in a reclused corner away from the others. Far in the back of the skiff, where they could watch everyone and everything.

Paedyn kept her arm linked with Inej's as she stood next to Kaz. General Kirigan and Alina would be boarding soon, which meant is wasn't long before she would cross the Fold for the third time.

"Good news? It's just as terrifying as I remember," Jesper said.

"Except this time, we're going in completely exposed," Inej added.

"Comforting," Paedyn commented.

A few lowly growls could be heard from inside the Fold. The volcra.

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

Paedyn raised an eyebrow but allowed herself to relax enough to let out a small laugh. Kaz's gloved hand brushed against hers again and Paedyn turned to him. He didn't say anything, turning his gaze away from hers. When his head turned, Paedyn almost missed it, but the tips of his ears were pink.

She bit back a grin, turning her focus back to the front of the skiff.

"No one's dying today," Kaz began, looking down at Paedyn again. "No mourners..."

She smiled softly, gently brushing the tip of her finger against his before pulling away. "No funerals."

┌───────────── ☆ ─────────────┐

author's note: bit of a shorter chapter today, but I promise it's worth it!