Bound Together

XI

As soon as the General arrived on the scene, Arken started to try and over his tracks,

"I've been swindled. Hoodwinked." Arken claimed

"My guards tell me that they caught you fleeing the scene of the crime." the black general informed

"Yes, I followed them." Arken replied desperation lacing his voice

"Followed whom?" The black general asked

"They come from the other side of the Fold. From the start, they seemed, just, a bit off to me, so when they left our stage, at the fete, I followed them to see what they were up to, and at the time that I walked into that room, they were gone and...Saints, it was... unspeakable. So I ran. I..." Arken explained

"How much of that is true?" The black general asked Ivan

"He did cross the Fold with the others." Ivan informed

"The rest were lies." Lanying finished

"What? That's... No... " Arken spluttered

"Your heart gives you away." Lanying said

Arken fixed  his eyes onto Lanying, "She was with them! She crossed with the others."

The black general turned to face Lanying, "Did you now?"

"They were an easy way back to Ravka."

"But you--" Arken said but the black General cut him off.

"That's enough." Then proceeded, "Do you know we keep records of everyone who crosses the Fold? For the winter fete, we had ambassadors from Kerch, Novyi Zem, the Wandering Isle, but you didn't cross with them, did you? No, you and your crew, you have another way."

"I don't know what you mean. I..." Arken was now back tracking

His heart beat loudly and both Lanying and Ivan both heard it clearly

"He does." Ivan said

"I'm an entertainer. Oskar, Oskar Krepkov." Arken insisted

His heartbeat accelerated as the black general grabbed his arm and pulled up the sleeve, revealing the numerous score marks across his forearm.

"Well, that is certainly entertaining." The black general drawled. "You are the Conductor, Arken Visser, are you not?" Then the black general lost his cool attitude and lashed out yelling at Arken, "You smuggle Grisha out of my palace! You help them abandon the war effort."

"No. I deal in legal indentures. I don't mess with Grisha." Arken insisted

"Lie." Ivan said

"I don't need him to tell me." the black general replied. "I had a spy. Nina Zenik. Ring any bells?" He asked calmly

"Nina?" Arken asked in disbelief and Lanying smirked.

"Last report we had from her was that she'd be crossing the Fold with the Conductor and five...well ...four rogues from Ketterdam. What their mission was, she didn't know. She was waiting to meet you all. Now, poor Nina... has not been heard from since. Might that have something to do with you, Mr. Visser?" The black general explained

Lanying noted that she had not been counted among these "rogues" and silently applauded herself.

"No. I don't." Arken said and when Ivan indicated he was telling the truth, he continued, "See? I don't know what happened."

"My guess, you struck a deal with these four thieves to kidnap Alina Starkov. But you have a stronger relationship with a certain West Ravkan general who has notions of ruling his own country. So long as the Fold separates him from us. So, you made another deal. You put on a disguise. And you played at being assassin." the black general accused

"That's right. The prize to bring her back to Ketterdam was a million, split four ways. But Zlatan offered me the same number... to kill her." Arken confirmed. Hurriedly, he added,  So... give me half that, I'll get revenge for you. I can get close to Zlatan."

General Kirigan looked at the three of us and we walked off down the corridor. behind us, we heard Arken try and save himself hopelessly.