No Shelter

WHEN NONNA OSTROVSKY WAS TWELVE, SHE MADE A CHOICE. The grisha testers came around every year, often with much warning from those between Os Alta and their little backwater town. And every year, father would hurray them into a small basement hidden under their carpet to pretend that they didn't exist. Like many of their neighbors, Nonna's parents hated grisha, and believed that if the testers could not prove their children were like them then they simply weren't. ("They're turning them" mother had claimed once. It was a common claim.) 

Lev and Micha huddled under Serafima's arms. Only nine, they believed the grisha testers were monsters coming to steal them away. Nonna sat across from them. The room was large enough that they could stand and walk around, but they all felt safer huddled against the walls, away from the door and ladder in the middle room.  

As they grisha testers left, Nonna had a choice. She could sit in their little room like they always did. Things would go on as they always had. Or Nonna could climb up that ladder and leave. Reveal them to the testers. Maybe they were grisha. Maybe they weren't. But at least then they would know. At least then they could stop hiding. Whatever that meant. 

Father had been so surprised he hadn't been able to stop her. Nonna met the testers in the field outside their house. 

Years later, as Nonna sat on a ship bound for Novyi Zem, she would think back on that day. What had that little girl wanted? Answers, she supposed, to finally stop hiding from her fate. Little Nonna Ostrovsky certainly hadn't expected to be one of the few people who could save Ravka. 

"Tell me again."

Nonna turned to look at Alina, who sat between her and Mal. Once again, Alina had woken up from a dream about the shadow fold. Within them the dark mass would expand, swallowing the a swath of land. Often it would include a village full of terrified people. The Darkling would appear to her in these dreams. They all knew he had died in the Fold. They had seen it with their own eyes. But sometimes it was easy to forget, especially when he plagued her ever time she so much closed her eyes. 

"Kirigan is dead," Mal insisted. "I saw the Volcra take him. No one survived." 

"I keep seeing the Fold growing, sometimes a little, sometimes in a surge. I don't know what it means," Alina said.

"Stress, probably," Nonna said. She turned to watch Sveta, who happily ran along the sides of the boat, oblivious to their conversations. "Dreams, they're made up of everything we think about while we're awake. Including our fears. Especially our fears."

It wouldn't have been a surprise if Alina really was having stressed-based dreams. While Nonna, Mal, and Sveta had to help save Ravka, it ultimately all came down to Alina. Alina Starkov was the sun summoner. The only one who could tear down the Fold...hopefully. Nonna tried not to think about what it would mean if Alina wasn't enough to destroy it. Between the wars with Fjerda and Shu Han, leaving the Fold up was likely to lead to the destruction of the entire country (the west included, even if they liked to pretend that they would be safe from Fjerdan and Shu wrath as soon as they abandoned the old country.)

A belly rang as the captain shouted their approach to Weddle Harbor. That was their stop. Mal stood, leading the two to the front of the boat where Sveta was leaning over the railing to try to spot land first. Nonna had to quick pull her back to avoid the girl falling over. Ever since she had been told they were going to Novyi Zem, Sveta had been excited. To her it was an adventure, on which she would finally get to see her homeland. She had no memory of it, having been taken by Drüskelle and then rescued at barely a year old, and seemed determined to learn as much as she could. 

Nonna hadn't told her why they were really there, at least not any more than needed to keep her safe. Sveta didn't need their fears put onto her shoulders. 

"This is the first time we've ever left Ravka. You haven't had a good meal or a good sleep in about two weeks and we're gonna...change that soon," Mal turned to look back at Alina as she came to join them.

"No more dried meat!" Sveta cheered. "And no more snoring."

Sveta wrinkled her nose. It was true that a large part of their diet had been salted meat, chosen due to its ability to survive long trips while still providing protein. It was also true that they'd been stuck sleeping with the rest of the passages below deck, including some rather loud snorers. Nonna chuckled to herself and decided against warning Sveta that Mal had been one of them, and that they weren't getting rid of him any time soon. 

"They have hot stones to keep your bed warm here," Mal said.

"Why would you want your bed warm?" Sveta said.

"It's more comfortable that way."

"No it isn't!"

"Well," Alina interrupted, before the two could start bickering. "That's if they let us into the country first."

Instinctively Nonna's hand went to her pocket, were the fake passports Kaz had given them rested. The benefit of nearly dying with a thief, she supposed. Thinking of Kaz, though, made her think of Serafima, at which point Nonna quickly cut off that line of thought entirely. Her sister was safe. She had to be. 

As soon as they were let off the ship, they were hurried into the customs building. It was functionally one large room, with looming ceilings and massive stained glass windows. It looked like a church. Nonna made sure to keep a hold on Sveta's hand. The back wasn't crowded, but once they were put into their lines, it was easy to get mixed up. The last thing she wanted was to get separated from the girl. Especially because it would be near impossible to get her back if one one them got through but not the other.

First class was sent to one line, returning Zemeni citizens to a much shorter one. Then there was their line. Seemly everyone else.

"I hope we look like tourist from Ketterdam," Mal whispered.

"What are tourist from Ketterdam even supposed to look like?" Nonna whispered back.

Mal shrugged. Better not to think about it too hard. Their papers were faked and, while Serafima had assured Kaz could make them as good as real, the last thing they needed was to trigger scrutiny by acting suspicious. 

The fact that, just as they discussed it, an officer removed a woman for forged papers didn't help.

"So, we go with my plan. We find the Sea Whip. That's why we're here," Alina said. "One amplifier might not be enough, so I'll get two." 

"You'll have to be careful," Nonna warned. "No one's ever used more than one amplifier."

"No one's ever torn down the Fold before, either," Alina retorted.

"I mean it, Alina." Nonna turned to face the girl in an attempt to emphasize her point. "There are rules to the small sciences for a reason. The human body has its limits. Amplifying your powers to much...it could be more than you could handle. You could kill yourself. You could kill us. You could even make something much worse than the Fold."

"I know." 

Nonna shook her head. She didn't think Alina knew, really. But what choice did they have.

"Ravakan refugees, this line please," a woman called, catching their attention. 

Refugees? Nonna turned to share a look with the others. Refugees from what? People were displaced by the war, but they wouldn't have gone this far. Not without something much worse happen. Before the others could stop her, Alina hurried across the lines between them to go talk with one of the refugees. 

"Do you think..." Sveta whispered to Nonna. 

"They're not nightmares," Alina confirmed when she returned. "It's really happening."

The Fold was really expanding. Nonna swallowed nervously and looked around, suddenly feeling as if the entire room was staring at them.

"So we find the Sea Whip," Mal said with a renewed determination. "You check the library. I'll ask the fishermen when they return from their haul. Nonna and Sveta can talk to the locals."

When they got to the front, they handed their papers to the officials. 

"Where are you from?" The man asked.

"Ketterdam." 

☼ ☼ ☼

KETTERDAM. Serafima couldn't believe she was even slightly relieved to be back. Not entirely relieved, because they were still coming back empty handed and they would still need to handle Dreesden being bitter about that. Still, Dreesen was nothing compared to fighting for their lives against the Darkling. They could handle him. 

They just had to wait on Minke to readjust to land. 

"It's official, I hate boats," Minke declared, after what had to be the fiftieth time Serafima kept in from stumbling into a wall. "Next time we cross the ocean, I'm just swimming. Or, better yet, let's  not have a next time!"

Serafima had to agree. Perhaps she hadn't been as bad as Minke – who spent the entire trip throwing up over board from sea sickness – but she'd only adjusted to the ship right as they were coming into the harbor. 

It was, at least, a distraction from the chaos that was storming in her head. Serafima had finally found Nonna, and he had felt like a slap to the face. Nonna had grown. That was expected. It had been years since Serafima had run away. But there was a difference between her getting taller and changing her hair, and her deciding to save Ravka with a living saint. Though Serafima wouldn't admit it, she just felt stupid. What did she expect? Nonna would be so excited to come to the hellhole that was the Barrel? Serafime didn't even know if she wanted Nonna in the Barrel. 

Then again, Serafima didn't want her on the run from the government of multiple countries, either. The world wasn't exactly asking her permission. 

"Home sweet home," Jesper mused. "Straight off the boat from Ravka and no one was waiting to kill us as soon as we arrived. Yay! That's a good sign."

Serafima would have hardly called the dark, dingy alleyway they were walking through home, but it was close enough. She couldn't believe it, but she couldn't wait to get back to the Crow Club. And Jesper was right. It was a good sign. It meant neither Dreesen or Rollins knew they were back yet to set someone on them. Or perhaps that the merchant wanted to talk, but Serafima suspected it was the first. The rich were hardly ever patient with Barrel rats. 

"I think I might celebrate with a little dice and debauchery," Jesper continued.

"Well, I'm celebrating with a nap," Minke said. "I don't know how any of you slept on that thing."

"No debauchery. Or naps," Kaz interrupted. "We have stops to make."

"Stop?" Serafima gave Kaz a curious look. "Dreesen?"

"Tante Heleen?" Inej suggested. 

"We get to the Crow Club," Kaz said.

"Well, yes, that was where I imagined the naps happening," Minke retorted dryly. "Unless you have a particularly nice alleyway you want to stick me in." 

Kaz didn't respond, and it was probably for the best. A tired Minke was a cranky one. Besides, the last thing Serafima wanted to do was run errands for Kaz at the moment. It was the middle of the night. They could probably go Dreesden or whoever he felt was important to ambush early the next morning and get the same effect. 

Things seemed off the closer they got to the Crow Club, but Serafima didn't acknowledge it right away. Things always seemed off in the Barrel. You kept your guard up, but if you worried about every single thing that caught your eye, you'd quickly go insane. 

It was only when they were right in front of the club that those suspicions were fully realized. Serafima found herself staring up at a sign that definitely wasn't there before. It was a wooden circle, painted green except for a symbol in the middle and words that ringed around it. 

"The Kaelish Prince?" Inej read.

"What sort of name is that?" Jesper asked. 

"Pekka fucking Rollins!" Serafima started towards the door. She didn't really had a plan once she got in, though it definitely involved dragging Pekka Rollins out begging for mercy. She wouldn't have time to figure it out, either, as Minke quickly grabbed her and turned, lifting her off the ground in the process. "Put me down! Put me down, or I swear –"

"Shut up," Kaz snapped. 

Serafima glared at him as she was promptly deposited at the back of the group, as far from the club as Minke could get her. She might have argued back if she hadn't caught where Kaz was looking. Dime Lion bouncers were set up all around the building. If she tried to get in, it would likely end with them all being trapped. 

"Where does that leave us?" Jesper asked. "We have no home..."

That was exactly where it left them. It took everything in Serafima to stand still. Even then she was still bouncing on her feet, five seconds from exploding. It was about the job, it had to be. They'd beaten his stupid, useless ass to the job, and so Rollins had stolen their home from them. 

"My suits. My hats," Jesper complained.

"They'll be fine. We'll get the club back. Right Kaz?" Minke turned to Kaz. He frowned when Kaz only stared at the sign. "Kaz?"

Hearing his name seemed to snap Kaz out of whatever daze he had been in.

"Split up," Kaz said quickly. "It's not safe."

A sharp whistle cut through the air before they could even turn round. In seconds Serafima found herself face to face with a squad of stadwatch officers, armed with guns and lanterns. The constable in front ordered them to put their hands up. There was no choice but to comply. Serafima could have taken a couple of them out, as with the others, but in the end they'd all be shot before they could even think to run. 

"Kaz Brekker," The constable sneered as he approached them. "Jesper Fahey. Serafima Ostrovsky. And Inej Ghafa. Only a matter of time before you turned up."

Serafima and Minke shared a confused look. His name had gone unmentioned, Serafima noted, though she couldn't tell if it was simply because the constable didn't know it. It wouldn't have been on record like their names were, after all. 

"Is there a problem?" Kaz asked. He kept his eye on the nearest gun.

"For you, yeah. You're wanted for murder," the constable retorted. 

Murder? Who exactly did they murder on another continent? But the stadwatch was serious. When Jesper lowered his hands to complain, they were quick to aim their guns at their faces. Serafima stared between the crowd. Kicked out of their home. Framed. Maybe it would be better to just fight their way out. 

"You're going to want to step aside," the constable said. "Otherwise we'll have to arrest you, too."

It took them a second to realize he was looking at Minke, and then another for Minke to comprehend he was actually talking to him. As if this whole thing couldn't have gotten even more convoluted. 

"You're not already arresting me?" Minke asked. The constable simply responded by nodded to the side. "Wait, I don't think – I don't mean I want to be arrested, but –"

"Minke," Serafima hissed. "Just go." 

Minke turned to look between the others. He clearly didn't want to leave them, and Serafima didn't like it either, but it would be better to have someone on the outside. More importantly, something was clearly happening behind the scenes and, if Minke being singled out by the person framing them, he was also the best person to find answers. 

Which is why, eventually, Minke slowly stepped to the side. One of the officers stepped forwards and passed something to him. It looked like a note. Minke knitted his brows as he studied it, and more than anything Serafima wished she could ask what the hell that was. 

If it was anyone else, she might have assumed they had sold them out. But it was Minke. At the very least he didn't have the acting ability to look as confused as he did at the moment. 

"Now, slowly hand over those shooters," the constable said, this time to Jesper. "And we'll need your hands out, witch, and you give up the cane, and you, spy –"

As Jesper and Kaz were handing over their items, and Serafima was considering if she ought to throttle the constable instead of holding out her hands, he had moved on to Inej. Who wasn't there. The constable shouted and the stadwatch officers looked around, but they couldn't find Inej. She was likely far gone by now. Serafima let out a sign of relief and held out her hands. As much as she hated submitting so easily, between Minke and Inej, she knew they'd be out in seconds. 

Hand cuffs were placed on their wrists. Serafima's hands were further bound, to make sure there was no possibility of her summoning. According to the guard, they would be going to Hellgate. They could try, Serafima thought bitterly. 

The three were crammed into a small cart, already filled with other criminals. Serafima curled inward on herself. The last thing she needed was to be touching some strangers. She could already smell them and see the sweat on their skin. With only small, barred windows on the doors, the cart was sweltering. Serafima would rather die than get pressed against any of these people (at least their hands were also bound, Seramfina thought. If one one them started groping, she was going to turn the murder they were framed for into a real one.)

"'Let's all go back to Ketterdam. It'll be fun,' they said." Jesper scoffed. "Now I'm off the Hellgate. Hellgate."

"The only person who thought this would be fun was you," Serafima pointed out. 

"Still! Pekka's got his grotty fingers in every part of that pie," Jesper continued to complain. He let out a groan. "Oh, I'm just glad we didn't bring Milo. Imagine what they'd do to him!"

Milo had been left on the boat after Jesper realized they didn't have any space to keep him in the Crow Club. A little girl had been enraptured by him and, upon learning she was going to live on her aunts farm in the Kerch country side to escape the Raven war, Jesper has relinquished his beloved pet. Serafima had to admit, she was also relived at this turn of events. Poor Milo would have been left alone to wander the streets. Likely to be killed. He would be happier on a farm with a family that loved him. 

Not that she cared about the goat. Just that Jesper really liked him. That was all. 

Jesper was still talking. Serafima wasn't listening. Because, across from them, Kaz was slumped forwards and gasping for air. He looked and sounded like was he was struggling not to pass out.

"Boss?" Jesper asked. "Kaz?"

No response. Serafima was going nervous now. Jesper turned and shouted at the driver to stop the cart. With nothing else she could do, Serafima kicked Kaz's good leg in a poor attempt to get his attention. It didn't do anything. If anything he looked more likely to throw up. 

"Saints, Brekker, if you die, I'm going to kill you," Serafima hissed. She kicked him again. Which did seem to make him jump a little. Good. Better than him passing out. "Don't think you'll be safe, I will hunt down your ghost. You hear me Brekker? I'll kill your fucking ghost." 

To their surprise, the cart actually slowed to a stop. There was a creak as a guard opened the door. He let out a sigh before pointing between the three of them. 

"You three. Out."

"Gentlemen," Jesper nodded to the criminals around them. "It's been a pleasure." 

It had not been a pleasure.