The Act of Duplicity [General Kirigan]

eleven

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    The horse galloped through the side road at a fast pace, Nataliya's red hair flailing in the wind behind her. Four days have come and gone and all Nataliya could feel was the constant ache of her legs and her sleepless mind. She almost thought she dreamed half of her journey but no it was definitely all real. Her eyes spotted the grand building of the little palace nearby and she pushed even further forward to reach it as soon as possible. Her main motive for this should be to deliver the information as quickly as possible but no Nataliya was only thinking about sleep in her soft bed. In the distance, she spotted two figures standing outside in the courtyard of the Little Palace, a white and a black horse right next to them. As soon as she spotted the familiar black kefta of Kirigan she started calling out to him.

    ''General!'' Nataliya slowed her horse to a light trot before she demounted it and walked the last few paces.

    Kirigan raised his eyebrows as he turned around to her voice. Someone's in a good mood this morning, observed Nataliya. She looked slightly to the left where Alina was standing, reins of the white horse in her hands. Nataliya couldn't read a particular emotion off of her, other than confusion.

    ''Nataliya, it can wait. You can go rest first.'' Darkling said as he did a once over at the redhead.

    Nataliya had to refrain herself to not roll her eyes at what he said. Of all times to care about her wellbeing, he picked this exact moment when it didn't matter. But all the times it did matter, he happily ignored it. Nataliya looked at Alina again and then it all made sense. And as usual, Nataliya would not do as Darkling pleased.

    ''You wanted me to report so this is me reporting in from the mission.'' She did a small gesture with her hands at herself.

    The good mood in Kirigan was dropping which was seen on his continuously changing face. He looked done with it as Nataliya clearly messed up his current plans, that's what she guessed. She had no idea where the two were headed but to her, it looked like a rendezvous on the horses.

    ''Fine.'' Kirigan sighed inaudibly. ''What do you have for me?''

    You have no clue, Nataliya thought. She showed him a tight-lipped smile, satisfied she was granted this, or rather she was more satisfied she won.

    ''It's classified information.'' She said matter-of-factly. ''It would be best to talk privately.''

    Her eyes glanced from Alina to Kirigan and then back. Alina's shoulders sagged a bit but she nodded, agreeing, even though the feeling of being left out couldn't disappear completely.

    ''Right,'' Kirigan answered with annoyance.

    He let go of the reins of the black horse and showed with his hand to the building nearby. Nataliya lowered her head a little and then walked into the direction, Kirigan catching up to her. Once they were a safe distance away so no one will hear them, at least if not any of Baghra's Grisha were sneaking around, Nataliya turned professional again.