prisoner (shadow & bone)

Chapter Twenty-One

THE AFTERMATH

Most of the group was sat huddled around a fire that Mal had made for them, a skill that he had picked up during his time as a tracker.

Ivan had left them a short while ago, telling them that he needed to go and find the general, but he only left as soon as he was certain that Tatia would be alright.

The girl in question was leaning her head on Alina's shoulder as she stared into the flames, her body still weak from whatever it was that those shadows had done to her. Before Ivan left, she apologized to him for fleeing the Little Palace without notice to him or her other friends, but he assured her it was alright. He even promised to explain everything to Fedyor and Genya for her.

Kaz was slowly approaching them, a duffle bag slung across his shoulder as he made his way across the meadow - he had set out half an hour before to go and find some spare clothes.

Inej was seated on the other side of Alina, and she was looking at the girl with amazement. "I've never met a Saint before," she said, shifting in her seat shyly.

"I've never been a Saint before," Alina replied with a slight grin.

Inej leaned forward, and placed her hand on Alina's, looking into her eyes intently. "Wherever you are, whatever you need... my hand is yours."

"Mine is too," Tatia mumbled, smiling up at the girl next to her sweetly, a hint of exhaustion still visible in her eyes.

"I like your hand with a dagger in it," Alina told Inej. "I couldn't hold onto yours, so take mine as a replacement. It's not much, but it'll fend off a bully or two." She took her own dagger out of her pocket and handed it to Inej, who looked at it as if she couldn't believe her eyes.

She then glanced down at Tatia with a gentle smile, and rested her head on top of the girl's. "And I'd like to see your hand right along with Inej, with a flame shining in it brightly."

Tatia sighed softly, feeling a certain calmness spreading through her. Mal had told them that the general had been killed by one of the volcra, and though she was upset when she heard at first, that feeling had soon turned into numbness, the past events all catching up to her and refusing to let her process anything.

Inej was still holding her new dagger, admiring it in her hands. "I know just what to name it."

Kaz had joined the group again, and he and Jesper were standing, the latter pacing around the campfire. "Step one for any good plan: a change of clothes," Jesper said with a grin as he handed the duffle bag that Kaz had brought with him to Mal. "It's worked for me."

"Thank you," Mal said, getting to his feet and taking the duffle bag from the man.

Tatia raised her head from Alina's shoulder and tried to stand up too, which she could only do with the help of Alina. The latter was holding her arm to steady her, since the girl didn't have enough strength yet to stand on her own.

"So... will you still be trying to kidnap me?" Alina asked, eyeing Jesper and Kaz. She knew for a fact that Inej and Tatia wouldn't do that, so now, it came down to them.

Tatia, who was still leaning on Alina, looked at them hopefully. Jesper took one glance into her eyes and melted. "'Course not," he mumbled.

Kaz's head turned slowly, eyes narrowing at his fellow Crow. "Have you found religion, too?" he asked mockingly.

Jesper shook his head, while rolling his eyes slightly. "No, it's just... I'm exhausted. Besides... it'd be bad form to kidnap someone after they saved your life. Not to mention that Tatia would never forgive me." He winked at the girl, and was glad to see her lift her lips into a weak smile. It would take some time for her to get back to normal, but every improvement was welcome.