Chapter Text
Kaz Brekker has received many jobs throughout his time with the Dregs. Ever since he has overthrown Per Haskell, he rarely gives his service to others and only uses his immoral talents for himself. After all, he didn’t have anyone to boss him around anymore.
One of the most recent missions he has done for someone other than himself was stealing titanium for the former King of Ravka and the now Queen of Ravka which is why, while doing his work in his office, Kaz didn’t expect to hear from a certain privateer so soon.
“Kaz Brekker,” Sturmhond drawled out, who just burst into Kaz’s office and leaned against the doorframe for a few seconds before proceeding to walk towards the table where Kaz was currently working at. He sat down on a nearby chair that was usually reserved for unwanted guests. “It’s been a long time.”
“Hey!” Kaz heard Rotty call after the privateer from outside his office before he saw Rotty appear at the door to tell him, “I tried to stop him but he—”
“It’s fine, Rotty,” Kaz didn’t let him finish. “Just shut the door on your way out.”
Rotty exited the room leaving Kaz to drop all his work to attend to the one and only Nikolai Lantsov.
“Now,” Kaz started, leaning against the back of the chair with his arms crossed, glaring at the privateer. “What brings you to Ketterdam? It’s been only a few months since we last saw each other.”
“I need you to do me a favor,” Nikolai replied with a smirk.
Kaz was tired of doing work for the Ravkan government. “Does it really have to be me?” Kaz asked, annoyed.
“I mean… you're the only person I know who is good at sneaking into places,” the privateer explained. “And you just have to obtain something important from the Kruisen .”
The Kruisen is a massive ship owned by an anonymous Kerch magnate. It is usually rented out exclusively to the wealthy as they were the only ones who could afford the price. The ship regularly travels from one country to another and docks for a short time to hold a few illustrious parties which are sometimes used as a cover for criminal activity. To be invited to such a party would be considered a privilege to others due to its rare availability and it just so happens that some rich merchant is holding a birthday party for his son in the coming week.
“What’s in it for me if I obtain this important item?” asked Kaz, expecting an enormous compensation. Sneaking into a ship as grand as this one would be a hard challenge especially if you are recognizable to a lot of people. “It’s impossible to gatecrash a party when people know who you are.”
“ Improbable, ” Nikolai corrected him. “And that is why you would need to be in disguise.”
Kaz would have a difficult time looking for a tailor to change his appearance. He could ask Nina for her soon-to-be spouse to do the task, but they are both probably busy frolicking around the Ice Court preparing for the wedding.
“Anything you want,” the privateer offered, which increased Kaz’s interest.
Anything Kaz wanted . Kaz wanted a lot of things from this world such as eliminating his enemies or maybe even fixing his own issues so he could become better for Inej which he could probably only pray to Ghezen for (not that he had found religion). There are other things that Kaz could request, but sometimes money is the best option considering he can never have too much of it and it could be used for other profitable investments.
“So, if I do the job and ask for a hundred million kruge, would you be able to grant it?” Kaz curiously asked.
After hearing the price, Nikolai looked at Kaz with a gaping jaw which made him resemble a goldfish. “Maybe not that much…” Nikolai answered him and quietly added, “Zoya would kill me.” It seems that he is just now realizing how presumptuous Kaz was.
“I guess we can agree on what you’re willing to give me later.” Kaz decided that he would need much more time to decide on the price that the privateer would agree with, “What exactly do I have to do?”
Nikolai automatically switched to a mischievous demeanor and then told Kaz his plan, “Next week, I need you to go to the party of the merchant’s son which you probably already know about.” It’s been the talk of the town for the past few days. “That is where you would meet an acquaintance of mine who’ll give you the item—I already paid for it so you’re technically not stealing anything.” This brought Kaz’s hopes down. “And I also trust that you can find a way in and out without people being aware of who you are.”
The plan didn’t seem illegal enough for a criminal like Kaz. “Why can’t you or anyone else be the one to get it?”
“Because Zoya expects me to attend a banquet at the palace and she would be suspicious of my missing wonderful presence. She isn’t supposed to know about this whole rendezvous and this may sound pathetic, but you’re the only person that I trust to do this task.”
Kaz was bothered by having to do a job in his busiest weeks, but the privateer did say he could get almost anything Kaz wanted. Maybe he should get a new ship for Inej.
“Fine, I’ll do it,” Kaz agreed to the proposal after deciding that the pay is worth more than the job that was offered.
“I knew I could count on you Brekker,” Nikolai said with a grin. “You’ll be receiving the invitations for the party and some additional instructions in a few days.” And with that, the privateer left Kaz to continue his unfinished work.
Sneaking into the Kruisen alone would be difficult, especially at a prestigious party for a merchant’s son. Kaz needed to bring someone else with him for some needed help and to not look suspicious. To be fair, Nikolai did send him two invitations.
Jesper is currently in Novyi Zem with Wylan visiting Colm Fahey so they were both out of the question. Maybe if Inej comes back in time for a visit, he would be able to ask her to come with him to the job.
Over the years, Inej would visit Ketterdam every few months to have a bit of rest. Sometimes she gives notice to Kaz or the others, but there are times when she would appear without one. This time, Inej sent news that she might have a stopover in Ketterdam. Even if Kaz wasn’t sure she would show up, he would still wait at the harbor for her ship to arrive.
It’s been a few days since the privateer had visited Kaz. Together with the invitations sent, Nikolai had given a letter stating that he was sending a tailor with some props and costumes to help with disguises. All Kaz needed to do was to find someone who is willing to go with him on this absurd task and figure out whose identities they should steal.
As the sun sets, Kaz watches the ships at the Fifth Harbor, hoping to see the Wraith among the other ships arriving at the docks. It took him a few minutes to spot the familiar warship heading towards the berth. He could slightly see the pirate navigating the ship in the distance, preparing to dock the ship.
Inej is finally seen stepping out of the ship, looking like she was searching for a familiar face among the crowd of workers until she was able to spot Kaz in a nearby building. As she was looking for him, he never took his eyes off her, waiting for them to meet hers. Inej gave him a small smile when she found him and immediately went through the crowd walking towards Kaz until she was in front of him.
Kaz was looking at her, unsure of what to say which always happens when she comes back. He silently made a gesture for Inej to follow him, and they were both walking together not knowing where they were going or would end up.
They were strolling through the streets of Ketterdam in silence as the early moonlight shines on the path they have decided to take. Kaz and Inej ended up entering a street that is at its liveliest during the weekend nights. Restaurants at every block where families come together to dine before the criminals lurk during the late night. Stalls cover the streets, selling a variety of objects and food that children beg their parents to buy. Homeless people sitting against a wall of an empty alley, hoping that there would be edible food found in the trash. There were some people in costume, acting as characters from the Komedie Brute and chanting the familiar lines every Kerch knew.
Kaz could detect a variety of scents as they go deeper into the boisterous district. Pastries from a nearby bakery, waffles from Nina’s favorite waffle place, alcohol coming out of a bar they had just passed, a whiff of hot choc—.
He faltered his steps and stopped walking. The noise around him was silencing like he was the only one present in the street. All he could think about was the memories that were coming back to him. Memories of his past. Memories of Jordie.
“Are you ok, Kaz?” Inej asked, looking at him. She had noticed that he came to a halt.
Kaz was standing still, sweating profusely with labored breathing, remembering his past. Jordie buying him hot chocolate. Him holding on to Jordie’s lifeless floating body, swimming through the river full of corpses. The skin-to-skin contact— No .
He was not going to have a breakdown in the middle of the street, especially with Inej there . He was fine. He was fine. He is fine .
“I’m fine,” Kaz quickly replied to her and started to walk ahead of Inej. He didn’t want to see the expression on Inej’s face after he almost made a scene. He tried to keep his composure and act as if everything was normal and it seems that she decided to take his word for it since she didn’t bother him afterward.
They continued their stroll through the street until they both decided to enter the East Stave, where the Crow Club resides. Inej was able to catch up with Kaz, despite her shorter legs, allowing them to walk side by side with each other in silence.
“I need your help with a job,” Kaz decided to break it. “Sturmhond wants me to retrieve something from the Kruisen and I require your assistance.”
“Didn’t you just help him with the one a few months ago?” Inej asked. If she was concerned about his spontaneous breakdown earlier, he didn’t know.
“It seems that he’s taking advantage of our non-existent acquaintance,” Kaz answered and Inej looked at him like she wanted more from his answer. “He also offered that he would give me anything I wanted including kruge but it has to be less than a hundred million. And as you know, I can’t pass on an offer like that.”
“Why is it always a yes with you and kruge?” his investment asked jokingly with a smile.
“I thought you knew,” Kaz replied. “You can never have too much, my darling Inej.”
Inej gave a small laugh at his response. He wished he could steal it for himself to listen to every day.
She slowed down her walking and became silent for a few seconds with an expression that looked like she was pondering on her decision.
“I’ll do it,” Inej told him. “But I better get something good out of this.”
Kaz agreed silently. He would make sure that Inej will get whatever she wanted even without her knowing.
After they have been walking for almost half an hour, they both decided to take the familiar path that would lead to the Crow Club.
“I’ve missed Ketterdam,” Inej said as they were nearing their destination. She has been looking around their surroundings to see if there were any changes from when the last time she was there. Kaz looked at her every now and then to see her reaction whenever she saw something new.
I missed you, Kaz wanted to say to her.
They both entered the Crow Club to prepare for the arrival of the tailor the next day.
Chapter 2
Notes:
i just got reminded of the existence of this fic a few days ago and realized i had a whole draft for chapter two so i just decided to finish it and post it three years later. i honestly don't know if what i wrote is book accurate or not (it's been a long time since i've read the books) but i hope you still get to enjoy it!! (also still not sure if i'll end up updating this again in the future)
Chapter Text
In the letter that the privateer sent previously, it was said to meet the tailor in the Ravkan embassy at around noon and to prepare their roles for disguise beforehand, which was a bit chimerical given the time they had left since Kaz didn’t want to do it without Inej. That is why, after less than three hours of sleep, Kaz was sitting in his office with Inej across from him.
“What about a diplomat from Ravka?” Inej suggested to Kaz, pacing around the room to think of ideas.
Kaz thought about it for a while before he replied, “No, having an association with Ravka will be suspicious.”
“Why not the king of Ravka himself?” Inej proposed as a joke.
Kaz gave Inej a look as if he was asking if she was serious.
“Kaz, we’re not making any progress.” It’s been almost two hours of Kaz’s rejections, and Inej was starting to get tired of it. Inej realized, “Why do I feel like you have something planned, but you’re not telling me. You haven’t been giving any suggestions.”
Kaz did have the perfect plan. He just didn’t want to go through with it.
“Fine,” Kaz felt defeated and decided to tell her. “The prince of Insmire and his duchess.”
No one knew who the prince and duchess were, even perhaps not seen them. They didn’t know if anyone knew of their existence due to Insmire being a lesser known country with little to no information about them. It was the perfect disguise to sneak into the party as no one would ever question who they really were.
“Why did you wait an hour to tell me this?” Inej sounded a bit annoyed.
Kaz didn’t want to dress up as a prince. A lot of work needed to be done to make him look unrecognizable ever since he became the infamous criminal of the Barrel. Or maybe, he just wanted to hear Inej’s voice more after she had been away for a long time.
“I don’t want my appearance to be changed a lot,” answered Kaz. He still hasn’t gotten over his trauma of skin contact.
“Is there anyone else you thought of?” Inej asked softly. She might have noticed Kaz's apprehension about the plan.
Kaz shook his head. “There’s no one else as unfamiliar and famous as them,” Kaz told her. It may be their only option for their disguise.
“We have no other choice then,” Inej concluded their meeting.
They finished their discussion and waited for the time to pass until the tailor arrives at noon.
Since the job was of great importance to the former King of Ravka (with all his excessiveness and extravagance), of course, he sent the best tailor he could offer.
“So, have you decided what disguise you would play for the event tonight?” Genya Safin asked, looking both at Kaz and Inej. The red-headed tailor, who was also a member of the Triumvirate, sounded as if she was about to have fun playing with dolls.
They were in a part of the embassy that somewhat looked like a meeting room with multiple chests placed inside the room against the walls. They were filled with numerous clothing options since they had not yet made their decision before the tailor left for Ketterdam.
“We decided on the prince of Insmire and the duchess,” Kaz answered the tailor.
Genya paused to think, “For the prince I would have to change your hair and eye color and maybe a bit of your facial structure,” she explained thoughtfully. “And for the duchess, we could keep most of your features and have little changes so no one can really recognize you at first glance.”
The tailor then looked at the chests around the room, probably thinking of what she could use for their costumes.
“I think I have enough to work with,” she murmured and then, with a louder voice, she asked, “Who would like to go first?”
Kaz and Inej both looked at each other as if they were silently communicating.
“I could be first if you want,” Inej offered to Kaz, at which he nodded. He would have to mentally prepare himself to not throw up at the physical contact he would encounter in the next hour
“I’ll go first,” Inej volunteered and faced Kaz again. “You can look for your costume while,” she told him, and then walked towards the table near where Genya was preparing her materials.
Kaz walked towards the series of chests and began to rummage through the clothes. There was a wild variety, perfect for any role they could’ve chosen. From different inconspicuous servant keftas and guard uniforms to extravagant and grand tunics and cloaks fit for a rich noble. Kaz continued to look through the clothes until he found a simple costume he could wear. A navy blue jacket with subtle silver detailing with matching trousers, an outfit fit for a prince who doesn’t like to stand out.
When he was done, he looked towards the direction where Inej was staying, putting on cosmetics. There were subtle changes to her face, a tiny bit of pink powder adding a slight warmth to her face, and a dark substance that emphasized her already long lashes. Kaz was awestruck by the beauty she had. Not that he preferred it more than her without concealing her imperfections.
While Genya was searching for something in her case, Inej faced in Kaz’s direction, and he immediately looked away and acted like he was still searching for clothes to wear. Maybe she felt his gaze on her and caught him in the act, but he would never know as it was never acknowledged after she was done with her cosmetics.
“Kaz, it’s your turn,” Inej called to him as she was looking at herself with a mirror, studying the changes that were done to her face.
Kaz placed the chosen clothes on an empty table, walked towards the chair that Inej was previously occupying, and sat on it. At the corner of his eye, he saw her go towards the chests full of gowns, deciding on what to wear.
Genya suddenly tipped his chin to face her so she could examine it. It made him flinch, which didn’t go unnoticed by her.
“Would you like me to change the color of your hair temporarily or wear a wig?” She asked him. The tailor probably realized he didn’t like to be touched.
“Do whatever is easier to apply and take off,” and whatever has less skin contact.
The tailor nodded in understanding and started working on his face. She decided to start with changing his eye color.
“I’ve seen the way you look at her,” Genya asks while testing different shades of blue that would fit him.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” answered Kaz, acting clueless.
Genya pauses her actions for a while before saying, “You kind of remind me of someone.” She continues to apply a pale blue color that fits his coldness. “Doesn’t show off any emotions for someone but gives hints of it in subtle gestures.”
Kaz had an unreadable look on his face. He knew about the attack in Ravka that had caused some casualties, and the tailor’s someone being one of them.
“Although you seem to have much more issues,” Genya glances at Inej. “Just some advice, cherish the moments you spend together. You will never know how much time you have left with them,” she finishes with a sad smile.
She continued to change his facial features slightly and altered his hair color into a coppery color until she was finally satisfied with her work.
Kaz looked at the mirror that Inej used earlier, and he couldn’t recognize himself. The tailor had made his face rounder, making his sharp cheekbones disappear, and his eyebrows looked less defined, removing his menacing resting face. He would miss seeing people have all color drained from their faces just from his presence.
He heard someone enter the room and looked towards the door. It was Inej. She was wearing a dark purple dress with straps that rested right above her shoulders. The boat neckline and the v-shaped waistline were stitched with a silver flower pattern that resembled wild geraniums, and the skirt was made out of sheer material that gives a shimmery look when under light. It was a beautiful dress that had a perfect fit, as if it was made especially for her. Her long hair was out of its usual braid and smoothly cascaded down her back.
He reluctantly took his eyes off her and quietly said, “You look nice.” It was a sight Kaz never thought he would ever see. She looked like a princess who came out of one of those fairytales he refused to believe in.
Inej looks at herself in the mirror and runs her hands over her arms. “I’m not used to having my arms exposed,” she says and decides to look in the chests for something to cover herself up.
Kaz decides it was time for him to get into his costume and play a role he reluctantly chose. He enters the changing room to put on his clothes, trying to convince himself that the clothes were not too tight and that it would be over in a few hours if everything goes well.
He left the room to see Genya helping Inej tie the front pieces of her hair into a half-updo, and he noticed she wore a shawl that perfectly complemented her dress.
As soon as they were done, Inej tells Kaz, “I think I’m good to go,” while looking in the mirror, fixing minor details that no one would ever notice. She then faced towards Kaz, in which he might’ve felt like he was having heart palpitations for a second, and immediately shifted his gaze away from her.
They were both finally ready to embark on the Kruisen, and after all the preparation they had gone through, Kaz is starting to regret agreeing to the King of Ravka’s request.
lolaaaplo on Chapter 1 Sun 08 May 2022 04:32PM UTC
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