2 | flatline [darkling]

seven

"WELL, I GUESS THIS IS WHERE we say goodbye." Nikolai hums as he turns to look at Nyx, who is busy attaching a few daggers to her inner thigh. She rather use the Small Science, but she would rather be safe than sorry. She had learned hand to hand combat, when she was still at the Little Palace.

"You're not wrong." Nyx responds, before straightening up and looking at him with a soft smile. The crossing had been uneventful, not a single Volcra had been sighted along the way, so they'd made their way to Novokribirsk safely.

"I hate to see you go, but no matter how much I argue with you, you won't let me come." He sighs, making her nod and he pulls her into a hug. "I hope to see you victorious, Nyx. But, I also hope you don't hurt yourself in the process."

"To win, one must make sacrifices." She says softly, before pulling slightly away to look at him. He looks at her softly and leans forward, before she leans back, causing him sigh. "I can't do that you, Nikolai. I would be lying to you and to myself."

"Of course." He clears his throat and backs away, smiling weakly at her. "Take care, Nyx."

"You too." She hums, pulling up the hood of her cloak. Smiling one last time at him, before slipping away in the direction of Os Kervo. She would probably hitch a ride with merchant carriage or some sort.

But first she something she had to do here in Novokribirsk. Thirty years ago, she had crossed the Fold for a task Aleksander had send her on. Having stayed for a little over a year, she had made a few connections to help her accomplish her task. She had never told Aleksander about them, so she knew going to them now would not alert Aleksander of her location.

Making her way into the busy Main Street of Novokribirsk, she keeps her head low as she pushes past the crowds. She hoped that her then-friends were still there, knowing that as Otkazat'sya they didn't age the way she did. They were in their early twenties when she met them, so they should be in their fifties now.

The sign of the Blue Inn looked worn out and one glance inside told her that it wouldn't be longing before they'd have to shut down the place. This is where she would meet them for the small errands she asked of them. She never knew how they did it and it didn't matter, all she knew is that it had worked.

Walking inside, she scrunches her nose up in distaste at the smell of alcohol and sweat. It was late in the night, but the Inn was still filled with costumers. The majority being men, who showed no shame in glancing at the women serving and trying to get their hands on them. She scoffs in distaste. She knew some of the girl appreciated the attention, but some of them hated it.

Not paying attention to any of it at all. She makes her way to the bar, leaning against the creaking wood and glancing at the people serving there. Nyx was trying to see if she recognised any of them, but they were all young and clearly not the ones she knew. She raises her hand a little, to signal for one of them to come to her.

"What can I do for you, madame?" He asks, making her shift her hood a little so that he can see her.

"I'm looking for a man called Sylvester. He used to work here, tell him the sun is setting in East Ravka." A look of understanding passes through the boy's eyes and he nods, before walking away. Pulling her hood back down, she keeps her head low to not bring any attention to her.

She doesn't wait very long until the boy comes back and nods for her to follow him. Straightening up, she follows him to a table at the very back, where two men are sitting. The boy leans towards one of them and whispers something in his ear. The man looks up at her, raising an eyebrow questioningly, before dismissing the boy.

"Not many people know of us and our work, which is why I know every face of my clients." The man says making her chuckle, before letting the hood fall off her head.

"I know. How have you been Sylvester?" She asks with a smirk, his eyes widening in disbelief and the man next to him gapes.

"Saints." Sylvester breaths out, not believing his eyes. "You have not aged a bit."

"Perks of being Grisha." She hums as she slips into the seat in front of them. "As much as I'd love to catch up, I am here for business."

"Right. Of course. What can we do for you?" The other man asks. Alistern, a man of very few morals. He'd offered his services as mercenary a lot more than she can count, but she had never found an opportunity to put his talents to use.

"I need something delivered across the Fold. To an Adrian Irvank. He will be on his way to the Little Palace tomorrow morning, leaving from the outskirts of Kribirsk." Nyx answers his questions and he winces.

"There is a civil war there, getting a message will be hard." Alistern points out, making her hum.

"It's been put to an end. The West Ravkan army has surrendered." She says, making the two men look at each other.

"Alright. But you didn't just come to see us if it was only for a letter." Sylvester points out, making her hum in confirmation.

"Do you still have the belongings I gave you?" She asks, making Sylvester nod. "I'll need them back."

"Are you planning on disappearing?" Sylvester asks as Alistern signals for a server girl to come to them. "What's going on, Nyx? The war, you disappearing? Did something happen?"

"It's a long story. I unfortunately can't stay long enough to tell you, but I can assure you that as long as you stay in West Ravka and continue to act as if we never met, you will be safe." She assures them, while Alistern whispers something to the girl and gives her key, before she leaves.

"Well, whatever you're planning. Don't forget what we told you." Sylvester says sternly, making her smile fondly.

"Don't pretend to be older than me, Sylv."

"I may not be older, but I am wiser." He says teasingly, making her snort and shake her head.

"There are things you've told me that are not worth remembering." She jokes, just as the girl comes back with a bag and hands Alistern the key back.

"Well, this all your stuff you left behind."