Bound Together

IX

Lanying POV

The little palace was stunning. It had been decorated beautifully for the Winter Fete. yet, despite its breathtaking beauty, Lanying couldn't help but feel trapped by the all the rules, regulations, and formalities that existed. To her, the little palace had never been her home and never will be. Her home was the rainy, dark, and dangerous streets of Ketterdam. Where she would rather die on her feet fighting for the crows than anything else. To Lanying, there was no choice, she would rather spend the rest of her years with Kasper than to live in luxury. Despite Kasper's doubts of not being good enough for her, Lanying always knew that he was. Even if we could not offer her riches and luxuries, he was enough for her and always would be.

Two inferni stepped up onto a podium to give a show to the guests. Lanying recognized the female as Polina. Suddenly, their hands lit up with fire and the guests gasped in delight and wonder. As the siblings passed the fireball back and forth, the guests continued to exclaim their wonder. Lanying rolled her eyes. These people were so easily ensnared by simple feats of the small science. When Polina and her brother finished their demonstration, the crowd clapped and cheered.

Finally, the black general himself, Kirigan, stepped into view and introduced Alina Starkov, who was standing on a raised platform.

"Her name is Alina Starkov. And she will bring liberation to us all."

Alina brought forth two balls of light, one in each hand and sent them sailing into the middle of the room where they exploded into thousands of tendrils and lit up the entire room.

"Sankta Alina" Everyone in the room murmured and made the gestures.

Even Lanying, couldn't help but mutter "Sankta Alina."

As soon as Lanying saw Kaz, Inej and Kasper start to escort Alina away, she took her cue and left the hall silently. As she walked away, She heard a voice behind her.

"Lanying?"

Lanying stopped in her tracks and turned around to face the owner of the voice. To her shock and horror it was Ivan. Great. Just her luck to meet a fellow Corporalki.

"Ivan! So nice to see you again."

"Where were you?" Ivan demanded

"Out." Lanying responded

"Doing what?"

"Things. It got complicated. Let's say I ended up somewhere I shouldn't have... but I'm back here arent I?"

Ivan nodded, a frown still visible on his face. "Anyways, the black general wants two corporalki. We seem to have caught ourselves an assassin."

Lanying smiled, "Oh? Do tell more."

"He wanted to kill the Sun Summoner. We've got him in custody."

"Right."

"I have to report this to the General, find Zoya and meet me here in five minutes." Ivan instructed. Lanying, taking this chance, found her friend Setareh and pulled her aside.

"Listen. I need you to do me a favour."

"Of course, anything." Setareh said

Lanying pulled out a pocket map of the little palace, "down this hallway, a guard will be walking down. Make sure he gets out to the courtyard safely."

"A guard? Since when did you?" Setareh said confused

"It's you know who." Lanying said

"Oh, the Kerch friend of yours." Setareh said and winked

"Yes. That one. Make sure he's safe." Lanying pleaded

"Very well, I will go rescue your friend."

"Tell him that I'm currently in a bit of a situation with a fellow corporalnik and that I'll rendevous with them when I can."

"Understood." Setareh said. "Lanying, it was nice seeing you again. Stay safe."

"You too, Setareh. Come visit Kerch someday alright? Send me a letter when you do. I don't want you getting mixed up with the wrong people."

"Will do. Farewell." Setareh said and walked off

Lanying nodded and went off to find Zoya.

"Zoya, come on, Ivan said I had to find you." Lanying said when she found Zoya near the drinks table. She then walked with Zoya to the place Ivan specified and a few second later, Ivan arrived.

The three grisha walked to the dungeons where Lanying assumed Arken was held.

"What's going on?" Zoya asked

"The target was murdered and we have a suspect in custody." Lanying replied

"So, the security plan came into effect after all." Zoya said

"Yes. Apparently, he was caught trying to escape. Genya stalled him for a while."

Upon arriving in the dungeon, where Arken was held, tied to a wooden chair, Ivan started to question Arken about his intentions. All he did was spew lies and falsery. Lanying was trying to find a way to save herself from being linked to Arken.

Then the black general himself arrived. Ivan stood behind Arken and Zoya and Lanying stood facing Arken.