prisoner (shadow & bone)

Chapter Seventeen

A WAY ACROSS

As soon as Inej was fit enough to walk, the group of four set off again, once more on their way to find a safe passage through the Fold, back to Ketterdam.

Tatia's head was in the clouds, and even Kaz couldn't be too upset about them giving up on their mission, because they had gotten something much more valuable than a million kruge from this adventure; a fourth Crow.

They soon neared the egde of the large black mist that was called the Fold, and luck seemed to be on their side. A few second army soldiers were stationed outside of it, and beside them was the vehicle that the Crows had used when they first crossed the Fold with Dreesen.

The group decided that they would try and steal the vehicle and take their chances, entering the Fold and going through at the fastest possible speed.

Right now, the four of them were laying on the grass behind an abandoned carriage which shielded them from view. Tatia was looking up at the Fold in fascination.

"It's... strangely beautiful, in a way," she remarked softly.

Jesper scoffed. "Yes, perhaps, but it is also extremely deadly, so, be careful." He placed his hand on her arm as if he was trying to stop her from entering the Fold, even though it was relatively far from where they were laying.

"How many are there?" Inej asked Kaz, for he had the best view on the soldiers.

"Two," he replied, his eyes fixed on the men. "At some point, at least one of them will have to go tell a superior what they found. We'll go in then."

"Not to be that person, Kaz, but are you sure you can drive that thing?" Jesper asked, eyeing the vehicle apprehensively.

Kaz turned his head to face him, and raised an eyebrow. "Yes," he said, as though it were obvious. "On the way to Kribirsk, while you were busy hugging bait-"

"Milo! The goat's name was Milo," Jesper exclaimed, offended. He then turned to Tatia with a lop-sided smile. "I'm gonna have to show you a goat, too, once we get to Ketterdam. Maybe we can go on a quest to search for Milo himself-"

"-I was memorizing Arken's timings," Kaz finished, glaring at Jesper for the interruption.

"I'd love to see Milo one day, Jes," Tatia said, eyes shimmering with excitement.

Kaz seemed to have tensed up at her words. "'Jes'?" he questioned, raising an eyebrow as he glanced between the two.

Jesper was beaming, and threw an arm around the girl's shoulders happily. "I have a nickname!" he cheered. He usually would have faltered upon the murderous expression on Kaz's face, but right now, it was just too damn funny.

Kaz shook his head, trying to clear it. He had to be smart about this for it to work. "Trust me. Arken and I think alike."

"Of course we trust you, Kaz," Tatia spoke instantly. The corners of his lips quirked upwards appreciatively, right when an explosion sounded from in front of them.

The four of them turned their heads with a start to see the vehicle they had set their eyes on explode with a loud bang.

Tatia's eyes were wide from shock as she looked at the debris that was now scattered across the field.

"Too soon to appreciate the irony, am I right?" Jesper mumbled.

Kaz closed his eyes tightly and hung his head; their plan had been solid, yet of course it had to go wrong, especially so early on. It was just their luck.

Jesper glanced at Kaz and winced. "Yeah, too soon."

"What do we do now?" Tatia asked quietly, looking at Kaz for an answer.