Chapter Text
Despite the existence of grisha, Kaz Brekker was a person who firmly believed in logic and facts.He wasn't easily influenced by panoi of paranormal activity or superstitions. Thus, he was pondering the specifics of his next plan in his office at the slat when he was suddenlly transported into a dark room. He was know for thinking three steps ahead of the enemy but even he couldn't have anticipated being transported into a room that was so dissimilar from the comfort provided by the slat, which was a shabby and worn-out space that was nonetheless a haven for the member of the Dregs. A ragged bunch of thieves, liars and murderers, that Kaz claimed as his own.
The room was large with rows of cushioned chairs, the walls of the room were gray, and the lights were a an bright yellow with a tint of orange contrasting with the dark walls. The colour of the lights reminded the bastard of the barrel of his adlosence filled with green grassy feilds and the bright sun, before it had all crumpled apart, leaving only vengence behinde, to bring the man behinde the slaughter to justice.
Brick by brick he would dismantle Pekka Rollin's empire. Putting the ghost that huanted him to rest, repaying his debt. His musings were broken when somehting cuaght his attention,there was a note and a curious lookng book on the pricey dark oak table in front of him. He took the note and book into his hands and wasted no time in reading the contents of the note which seemed suspicous. He quickly pocketed the note, as he saw different people appear one group after the other.
He saw Jesper and Inej, who made a beeline for him. While others murmured in surprise and confusion at the sudden events unfolding ahead of them. Wary glances were being cast at each other from the different groups that made this company. He noticed many grisha judging from their keftas and the merchants in their tailored suits. He saw more familiar faces, including the dregs, Per Haskell, Pim, Anika, and Big Bolliger. Pekka Rollins was among the other familiar but unwanted faces.
Kaz felt like he was in some weird dream. He was broken out of his stupor when Jesper said, "What are we going to do, boss?"
As Jesper asked the question, weighing over everyone's mind, Kaz found himself being the center of attention of the wary dregs as they fixed their unofficial leader with inquisitive gazes.
"We will wait for everyone to settle down. Then I'll reveal why we're here."
Of course Kaz knew why they were here, because he was Kaz Brekker, and Kaz Brekker always knew what he was doing. Honestly, Jesper shouldn't have been surprised at this point, but it was terrifying, as it was awe inspiring that Kaz possessed knowledge even in such unforeseen circumstances. Jesper had been drawn to Kaz from the start hooked to the danger, he reminded jesper of fire that burned in all its mesmerising beauty from afar but the closer you got the sooner one was disillusioned. And you were burnt to a crisp as the fire conusmed your whole being just like the lethal combination of brain and beuaty that was Kaz Brekker.
Unfortunatley Kaz had a temperament as erratic as the sea.To worsen matters Jesper had earned Kaz's ire and hadn't beeen forgiven, getting into his good graces seemed nearly impossible. Jesper frowned
Now, Jesper considered himself to be an open-minded person, but even he was skeptical when confronted with such a massive backlash because Big Bolliger was supposed to be dead in his timeline when he looked at Inej, and she appeared to be equally perplexed. Kaz responded for the both of them, as if he could read Jesper's mind, which was a terrifying thought. He shuddered at the mere prospect when Kaz whispered the conclusion that they both had come to. "where from different timelines."
Jesper looked around to see Nina and Matthias, who appeared to be holding hands, confirming Kaz's observation. The rest of the crows had made their way to where Kaz and the rest of the Dregs were and then proceeded to sit down near them. Wylan sat beside Jesper, while Matthias and Nina sat next to Inej. Kaz was about to reveal the question on everyone's mind, the reason for their unexpected change of scenery, and the reason for gathering them all here.
A girl appeared out of nowhere, her hair black and wavy and her eyes golden. Her voice rang throughout the room as she said, "Welcome to my humble abode, Ravaka, Ketterdam, and everyone else. Now you must be wondering why I brought you all here. So, I have brought you all here to read about six interesting people who are present in this room. Although there are six of them, there is one who stands out and is the main character of this narrative. I will provide you with food and water. And you mustn't fear for your respective duties as time is frozen. And you will be unable to leave this room until you have finished reading the books I have deemed necessary for you to read. Please introduce yourselves and know that resisting is futile."
After that surprising confrontation, many people were shocked, but most accepted their fate with sullen and resigned faces. Silence filled the room until a woman with snow white hair and an elegant frame spoke up. "I am Alina Starkov, the sun summoner. And please, call me Alina, not saint Alina, as I am no saint."
Inej knew she was staring, but she couldn't help it to be in the presence of Saint Alina—oh, right. She meant Alina. But she felt honored to be in the presence of someone like her. She felt surreal at the thought; after all, she had idolized Sain-Right Alina since she was young, so this was truly amazing. She was broken out of her stupor when a man with red hair and dark, muddy green eyes started to introduce himself. "Extraordinaire, privateer, Sturmhond at your service." He winked and sat down with a bow, his green eyes dancing with mischief as he smirked at the audience.
A girl with dark curly hair went next. "I am Zoya Nazyalensky, squaller."
Inej saw Nina tense and her eyes being filled with recognition as she stood up, suddenly dragging Matthias with her. She made her way to the woman with dark curly hair, Zoya Nazyalensky. They both embraced each other in a joyful fit of happiness, but this moment of joy was broken when Inej saw the squalor's face change into anger and disgust as she looked between Nina and Matthias, who had been dragged along and was standing awkwardly behind Nina. She observed how Nina's eyes widened with shock and hurt, which quickly turned into understanding and then anger.
Nina was upset and angry. It had been a long time since she saw her mentor after what felt like an eternity, only to be pushed aside because Zoya, who refused to even hear her out, was judging her because of her beautiful boyfriend's Fejdarian blood and him being a Druskell.
She knew deep down it was sort of hypocritical of her, as initially she had also judged him for it without realizing it was his conditioning since birth that twisted his views regarding grisha, but she had learned better, and now she knew, and she couldn't help herself for the fact she was madly in love with that gorgeous man, and she couldn't bear any sort of grievance to him, especially after she hurt him before.
Zoya's expression had become closed and cold "After hanging around with that repulsive thing, you have the gall to show me your face." She spoke with a sharp tone that betrayed her disdain. As I prepared to defend my lovely boyfriend, I was flushed and furious when I heard a gravelly voice.
"Frankly speaking, as much as I would love to watch your futile bickering, I am going to have to end this show early because I don't want to waste my time. The sooner this can be resolved without needless squabbles, the better." Kaz's expression was filled with contempt, and his eyebrows were raised in an unamused manner as he continued to glare at us. Despite my aversion to agreeing with Kaz Brekker of all people, I did not want to argue with him because it would be pointless. Additionally, the entire room was silently staring at us, so I reluctantly took Matthias' hand and returned to our seats.
The next to introduce herself was a woman with amber eyes and red, startling hair. "My name is Genya Safin, tailor."
"Tolya and Tamar, my sister. A shu-man introduced him, and a shu-woman, who appeared to be his sister, said, "Heartrenders, Part of the Second Army."
Tamar was positioned beside a Zelena woman who appeared to be romantically involved with her.
"I am the second army's squarler, Nadia. She gestured to another grisha, who appeared to be in a sullen mood, and saw that he only had one arm. "Sister of this one," she said.
"Adrik Squaller."
"Nina Zenik, member of the Dregs, and hear tender of the second army." She sat next to a young blonde who was well-built. "Matthias Helvar." The preceding spectacle brought to light the brief introduction by the man who was romantically involved with Nina. Zoya was genuinely disappointed in her student; she could see the contempt in the eyes of some of her fellow Ravkans.
"Inej Ghafa, the wraith and member of the Dregs." The Suli girl, with dark hair and bronze skin, spoke. Next to her, a young man with pale skin as snow and dark brown hair with a lean frame introduced himself in a raspy voice."Kaz Brekker, Dirty Hands, Bastard of the Barrell, and Lieutenant of the Dregs, at your service." As soon as the young man sat down, a ripple of whispers began. "Is that truly the Bastard of the Barrell? He seems quite young." And meaningful full glances filled with fear and curiosity were exchanged, along with phrases like "Kaz Brekker didn't need a reason." The residents of Ravka, however, were especially baffled by how someone so young could have such a terrifying reputation.
Jesper Fahey, member of the Dregs and the best sharp shooter of the Dregs. And this is my dad, Colm Fahey." The tall Zemeni youth with dark hair, who had grey eyes glinting with mischievousness', introduced an elderly man near him who appeared to be his father.
"Wylan Hendriks," said a young man with red-gold hair.
"I am Kuwei yul-Bo."A young boy stated.
"My name is Jan Van Eck, and I am a well-known and respected merchant from Ketterdam and also the member of the Merchant Council." Announced a man in a crisp suit.
An old man with bright clothes and a cane spoke, "I am Per Haskell, and I am the boss of the dregs." Jesper could not understand why this man was trying to persuade himself and others that he was in charge when that was far from the case. He was clearly not the dregs' leader; he just lazed around the majority of the time. He was only a figurehead and leader of the dregs in name, and he could tell Inej was thinking the same thing as they looked at this man's sheer audacity.
The next man introduced himself with arrogance, which spoke volumes about his personality.
"I am Pekka Rollins, king of the barrel and leader of dime lions. "
Something was clearly wrong when Inej noticed Kaz becoming a little tense at that statement. Kaz did not like the implication of the whole thing, especially after seeing the book's cover, which was titled 'The Six of Crows.' Considering that he had recently made a group of six individuals, including himself. It was suspicious that they appeared to be the only ones aware of the timeline variations.
It would be an understatement to say that Kaz was a private person; there weren't many people privy to his private life, and he would have liked to keep it that way till his grave. He could not afford to expose his flaws to the rest of Ketterdam via a book. It would ruin him, and he would forever be burdened by the ghost that haunted his very core—that of his late brother. Jordie. He needed to come up with some way to keep information away from prying eyes; the most efficient way to do that in this predicament would be to make sure to read all of his own chapters in case his suspicions about the book were confirmed. That seemed to be the only line of action he could take without giving himself away.