chapter four. ketterdam

 Everything seemed to be going wrong.

 For one thing, their ship, the Ferolind, was up in flames just yards away from where Aria Antonov hid behind a collection of barrels. Secondly, she had no source to spark her fire. No flint, no gloves, nothing. All she had was a small pistol that was low on bullets—and she was getting desperate. The odds were not in her favor right now, but, she pressed her lips to the cold of the pistol and stood—just as Jesper would. Casting her eyes towards the sky to her Saints, Aria said a prayer—for fuck sakes, don't let me die here. Something grazed her cheek—Aria stumbled behind a crate and placed her hand to the burn. She hissed at the slight pain. Through ringing ears and the sound of gunfire, someone called her name.

 "Aria!" yeled Nina.

 Relief flooded her, she checked above her before speeding off towards the sound of Nina's voice. Then, Aria hit the wood of the dock—hard. Her attacker grabbed her wrists, pinning her down. His knee pressed into her chest—and Aria swore she heard a crack. Aria cried out, throat growing raw as she screamed every name she could think of. The man bent in a weird way, stretching his leg to replace his his hands on her wrist, before unsheathing a dagger—glinting in the moonlight, reflecting the orange flames some ways away. Aria cried out again—before the man could act, he was dead on the ground.

 Suddenly, Aria was being heaved up off her back, strong arms wrapping around her. "You do not die today, devil drusje." the Fjerdan tongue of Matthias Helvar bit at her, hauling her into his arms. "As much I wish you would."

 When Aria became aware again, she was being set down on the deck of a ship—the real Ferolind. Kaz Brekker and all his schemes. Her head rested against the wall, hand on her chest. She found the blurry figure of Kaz, carrying... something. The black coiled braid gave it away.

 Inej.

 Aria wanted to move, but she couldn't. Not until Kaz ordered Wylan to help her. Kaz didn't even cast a glance her way, only focusing on Oomen, one of the Black Tips who had ambushed them. Wylan had an arm over her, helping her walk. He barged into one of the cabins, helping her onto the bed. "What can I do?" he asked, frantic.

 Aria just laid there, struggling to breathe. "Just...watch over me. Make sure I don't die."

 Wylan rounded the bed and fell into the chair beside it. "I—I won't. I promise."

 "Don't fall asleep. Don't do anything." Wylan ordered.

 Aria let out a pained laugh. "I've not been shot. I just...I need to breathe. I need to rest."

 "Just—just not until Nina sees to you?" Aria nods.

 "Not until Nina sees to me." she repeats.

────────────────

 Aria awoke, sitting up right. Her hand went to her chest, feeling the soreness that Nina had left behind while doing a mediocre job at healing her.

 Sucking in a breath, Aria stood—her eyes landed on the porthole window. The sea was just beyond the window pane, crystal and glimmering under the sun. With a heavy sigh, Aria turned, finding Wylan at the end of the bed, curled up. Smiling slightly, Aria draped the wool blanket over him, and carefully moved his satchel, hearing the glass clink inside of it. "How are you feeling?" Wylan yawns out.

 "Like I've been run over by a horse." Aria admits, rubbing at her chest again.

 Wylan sunk further into the bed. "Well, at least we have some time before we get to Fjerda."

 When Aria stepped foot onto the deck, she immediately felt the sea salt spray her skin from the waves, the sound of them crashing accompanying it. With a pleasant smile, Aria begin to poke around, trying to find anyone else. Yet, no one was around. Giving up on her little hunt, Aria made her way into what was presumably the kitchen. Spotting a kettle burning on the small stovetop, Aria helped herself to a cup of tea—reveling in the feeling of the warm chamomile soothing her raw throat.

 Various items around the kitchenette swayed and shifted with the rocking of the boat, Aria knew it was only a matter of time before her stomach did the same. Footsteps sounded—one heavier than the other, accompanied with the rhythmic thump of a cane prodding wood.

 Kaz entered—eyes falling to her. His gaze almost softened—the soft illumination of the room showing the large bruise on his jaw, sporting a few cuts.

 "Good morning," said Aria, watching as Kaz sat across from her, setting his cane beside him.

 "Good morning," mumured Kaz in response. "How are you feeling?"

 "Nothing I can't handle," Aria admitted.

 Kaz gave a nod, pulling out a slim flask. He tipped it back, drinking.

 "Oh, it's that kind of morning?" she asks.

 "Inej." he stated.

 "I know."

 He took another swig and rubbed his temples. "I couldn't risk two of my Dregs."

 Aria nodded. "I know."

 Kaz gave a nod in agreement, leaning back slightly. "I saw you enjoying the warm air," he acknowledged.

 She laughed. Kaz's eyes lingered on her. "Were you watching me?" She asked, rising from her chair, Kaz did the same—he hated how he followed her out to the edge of the boat, mirroring her as she leaned against it. Almost like a lost puppy—he didn't even know why.

 He shook his head. "Merely caught sight." he grumbled in defense.

 She inhaled and exhaled deeply, letting the sun warm her skin, eyes closed as she relished in the golden light. It was then Kaz noticed small freckles and moles that littered her skin, her long coal lashes against her cheeks. His eyes traced the slope of her nose, and the curve of her cupids bow and her lips—a gruesome looking burn from a bullet laid on her cheek. He looked to her hands and arms, fingers gripping the side of the boat, nails resting on the sleek wood. Her cream colored blouse with its sleeves rolled up, buttoned only three quarters of the way up, displaying her collarbones. Her arms, perfectly muscled with scattered moles just like the rest of her perfect skin, and on the inside of her forearm, a branding. Kaz had noticed it in passing. He knew what it meant. A mark some gave to their Grisha—a mark of where they belonged. He could only think of it to be the family's crest. It was something he'd never seen before. Something boiled within him—she'd be marked by them forever. On her opposite arm laid the crow and cup—matching his own.

 Aria opened her eyes, smiling. "I love the ocean," she stated. "The cold or warm feeling of sand. Seafoam. The waves. The sound."

 "I hate it." Kaz said.

 Aria furrowed her brows. "Oh."

 "I imagine it drowns me most nights. Sucks me under. I feel it at my feet now." He admits. Aria mistakenly looks down, finding nothing. She swallows. "I had a brother." He says.

 "Jordie." Speaking that name felt forbidden. She had known him in passing, when she first met the Rietveld brothers. "I had brother too," she says.

 Kaz finds her eyes. "What happened?"

 "I never really got to figure that one out." Aria said with a sad smile. She knows—Viktor Antonov was once her brother. Kaz looks down, he sees the illusion of the water, rising towards his knees. Kaz feels the bile trail up his throat. His eyes screw shut. He can see Jordie now. "Kaz?" She asks.

 Kaz only huffs and walks away, back to his quarters, alone. Aria sighs, feeling the isolation settle in again. She looked down at her arm, having noticed Kaz's shark eyes burning into the branding that marked her. She hated those days. When she was truly becoming a young girl, tainted by the days of hard work and forced labor. Then, she fled. She ran to Ketterdam, the only other place she knew besides Ravka. There, freshly fifteen, she found the Dregs. She found Kaz Brekker. He had once been Rietveld, a name she never asked why he gave up. He was different—of course, age brought many things, but, this was a new person.

 On the bed, Wylan turned in his sleep. Aria looked to him, finding his features so soft and young. He had not yet been tainted like she had. Her throat tightened, sorrow filling it. Wylan had always been so delicate, even when she was dasked with keeping him under her wing even without him knowing. She knew all his hobbies, his little quirks. How he fiddled with his fingers when dazing off, how he labeled his chemicals with music notes, she knew his order at the Kooperom, and that he only liked apple syrup on his waffles. She knew he preferred tea over coffee, and that he was the best demo man they could've ever asked for.

 Her mind trailed to Inej, how she almost couldn't bare to go and see her. Oh, Inej. Such a beautiful soul. Her skin a true bronze and her hair a beautiful color that reminded her of onyx gems. Her deep eyes lined with a dark kohl liner that all the prettiest Suli women used. And the scarred tattoo on her forearm, she was marked just as Aria was. Inej could be dying, bleeding out, but Aria would never think of her as any less beautiful.

 "You're going to burn our ship down," says Wylan, tired eyes watching her.

 Aria snapped from her thoughts and looked to him, fire disappearing from her fingers. "Sorry, I zoned out."

 Wylan smiled, sitting up. "I do that, too. A lot, actually," Aria smiled.

────────────────

 Aria hadn't been paying attention, honestly. But, she was surely confused when she did decide to listen. The sea was rotting her brain.

 "We enter from the north as planned," said Kaz.

 "Fine. But if Pekka Rollins kills us all, I'm going to get Wylan's ghost to teach my ghost how to play the flute just so I can annoy the hell out of of your ghost."

 Kaz's lips quirked, corner lifting into a smirk. "I'll just hire Matthias' ghost to kick your ghost's ass."

 Matthias furrowed his brows. "My ghost won't associate with your ghost."

 Aria laughed softly, shaking her head. When she watched as Matthias stood, heading into the kitchenette, Aria trailed him. He loomed over the stovetop, the clicking of the burner sounding. He reached for the kettle—his ginormous frame looking even larger in the small, cramped room. "Matthias," Aria spoke into the silence.

 If she had startled him, he didn't show it. He gave her the barest of glances over his broad shoulder, blue eyes boring into her. He hummed in response.

 "I wanted to...thank you," Aria breathed out, taking a seat at the tiny table. Matthias turned around, holding the cup of tea, eyes holding amusement.

 "The devil drusje wants to give her thanks?" Matthias asks, laughing into his cup.

 Aria fought the urge to roll her eyes. "You saved me life," Aria admitted. "I am in debt to you."

 Matthias laughed a little louder now. "I can think of a way for you to repay me, drusje." Matthias grinned almost maliciously. She knew what he was hinting at—it was in the drüskelle's nature to hate Grisha. They were bred to believe that hatred.

 "You could let me fix that horrid hair of yours," Aria stated, tone light.

 Matthias faltered slightly. "I know," he muttered. "They ruined my hair. Sheared it to the scalp. They didn't even care to bandgage the wounds they left."

 Aria sighs. "You could at least let me try and fix it," she states, crossing her arms over her chest.

 Matthias gives her a skeptical look, brows furrowing as he looks at her. "I don't think I trust you." he states, towering over her.

 Aria shrugged, propping her feet up on the table. "It's not like you could look any worse."

 Matthias rolled his eyes.

────────────────

 "No mourners," started Specht.

 "No funerals." the others echoed.

 They had finally arrived in Fjerda after a little more than a week on the Ferolind—over their heads, the sky was quickly fading from pink to gold. They were lucky enough to have even gotten this far—most of them were going stir-crazy on the boat. Especially Jesper. He'd been itching to get off the boat since the moment he stepped on. Inej, on the other hand, was relishing in life at sea. She took interest in the daily routines of the sailors, their extensive work on the ship. She had recovered well enough from the incident on the docks in Ketterdam. Well, recovered enough to go back to scalling walls and attend to her Wraith jobs.

 Aria knew Fjerda was cold—but, this was ten times worse than she had expected. The air that nipped at her exposed skin almost burned—she wishes she could go back to the warmth of the small room she shared with Wylan. While they made their trek up the rocky shore away from sea, Matthias informed that spring was on its way—but, the way Aria could see her breath coming out in puffs, she almost doubted it.

 The wind whipped harshly, causing Aria to stop for a moment, Jesper bumping into her from mindlessly walking behind her. "Watch it!" he said. Aria rolled her eyes—then pulled the scarf around her neck up to the lower half of her face, and pulled the hood of her winter jacket over her head. Kaz was smart for thinking to bring all this gear. Heavier boots, gloves, scarves. All of it.

 Speaking of Kaz, he and Aria hadn't spoke much. They spoke in passing, when going over plans for the job. Other than that, they hadn't sought out each others company in well over a few days.

 "Saints, we're actually doing this." said Inej.

 "I've spent every day on the miserable boat wishing to be off it. So why do I suddenly miss it?" asked Jesper.

 Wylan stomped his feet, trying to clear them of the growing amount of snow. "Maybe because it already feels like our feet are going to freeze off."

 Kaz stopped, holding his walking stick to keep him steady. He looked a little less like himself without his crows head cane—they had all opted to leave their prized possessions on board. Jesper his revolvers, Inej her knives, Kaz his cane, and Aria her gloves—Kaz had paid someone to specially make her a less noticeable pair of gloves. "When we get our money, you can burn kruge to keep warm."

 Jesper laughed as he plucked his compass from his pocket. "I'm going to pay someone to burn my kruge for me."

 Kaz fell into step beside Jesper, the ghost of a smile on his face. "Why don't you pay someone else to pay someone to burn your kruge for you? That's what the big players do." Kaz suggested.

 "You know what the really big bosses do? They pay someone to pay someone to pay someone to burn their kruge for them." Jesper exclaimed, Kaz only shook his head at this.

 "You boys have it all wrong. When I get my money—I'm gonna pay someone to pay someone to pay someone else to burn my kruge." Aria stated, pushing her hands into her pockets with a teeth-chattering grin.

 Kaz's lip pulled up slightly—before he shook his head and continued forward.

 Aria stopped for a moment, turning to cast one final glance at the vanishing Ferolind. Aria frowned—watching as the last piece of Kerch, their home, floating further and further away.

 Matthias turned to them, and they all stopped. "Put your..." he paused, turning to Wylan. He gestured to his eyes, forming circles with his fingers and putting them over his eyes.

 "Goggles," came from Wylan.

 Matthias nodded. "Yes. Put your...goggles on. Keep your eyes covered, or you could damage them permanently." Matthias ordered, accent thick. He wasn't dressed nearly as warmly as the others—he had been used to this, after all.

 Aria pulled the round little goggles from her satchel, tightening the leather strap around her head. At first, she felt a little odd with them on, left wondering how silly she looked like this. Then, she took one look at Jesper with them on—and felt better.

 Their first day of walking went by with ease, by nightfall, they set up their tents and began to eat their rations, huddling around the fire Aria had started for them. One was to take watch until the next did. Jesper was first on watch, so Aria climbed into a tent and laid back, the warm glow of the fire easing her. Inej and Nina were to share one, Kaz and Jesper, and then whoever was on watch had to sit beside Matthias' tent. Aria wasn't surprised when Wylan collapsed into her tent. He'd grown accustomed to sticking by her since their journey began. Aria wasn't sure why, but, she didn't mind it. It was the job Kaz had assigned to her. He spoke softly and smartly. She could bare with it.

 "Is this alright?" asked Wylan.

 Aria sat up on her elbows, staring at him. "Of course, Wylan. We've shared a room for like a week now. Tents are no different."

 Wylan nodded, flopping down. He sighed heavily and unzipped his heavy coat, arms out beside him—spread eagle. "Is it weird?"

 Aria turns to face him. "Is what weird?"

 "That we were sharing a bed?"

 She shook her head. "No? I don't think so. Only so much space on one ship."

 Wylan nods. "Okay, good. I didn't think so either," he admitted.

 The next morning came and their peace and quiet had gone and passed. Kaz wanted to sink his teeth into the details of the plan. They all huddled by the fire, the sun warming them only a bit. Kaz had a wool cap on his head, covering his ears, his hood was brought over his head, gloved hands pointing at a map. "If we get this right, we're going to be in and out of the Ice Court before the Fjerdans ever know their prized scientist is gone," Kaz began. They all ate in silence, trying to make coffee over the fire. When it was time, they shouldered their heavy packs and headed south. Kaz continued to speak. "When we enter the prison, we'll be taken to the holding area beneath the men's and women's cellblocks to await charges. If Matthias is right and the procedures are still the same, the patrols only pass through the holding cells three times a day for head counts. Once we're out of the cells, we should have at least six hours to cross to the embassy, locate Yul-Bayur on the White Island, and get him down to the harbor before they realize anyone is gone."

 Aria let out a low whistle, brows raised.

 Matthias spoke next. "What about the other prisoners in holding cells?"

 "We have that covered." Kaz said. "Once we're out of the cells, Matthias and Jesper will secure rope from the stables while Wylan and I get Nina, Inej, and Aria out of the women's holding area. The basement is our meet. That's where the incinerator is, and no one should be in the laundry after the prison shuts down for the night. While Inej makes the climb, Wylan, Aria, and I scour the laundry for anything he can use for demo. And just in case the Fjerdans decided to stash Bo Yul-Bayur kn the prison and make life easy on us, Nina, Matthias, and Jesper will search the top level cells."

 Jesper stopped walking for a moment. "Nina and Matthias? Far be it from me to doubt anyone's professionalism, but is that really the ideal pairing?" Aria nodded in agreement.

 "Matthias knows prison procedure, and Nina can handle any guards without a noisy fight. Your job is to keep them killing each other." Kaz said.

 "Because I'm the diplomat of the group?"

 "There is no diplomat of the group. Now listen, the rest of the prison isn't like the holding area. Patrols in the cellblock rotate every two hours, and we really don't want to risk anyone sounding an alarm, so be smart. We coordinate everything to the chiming of the Elderclock. We're out of cells right after six bells, we're up in the incinerators by eight bells. No exceptions," explained Kaz.

 "Then what?" Wylan asked.

"We cross to the embassy sector roof and get access to the glass bridge through there."

 "We'll be on the other side of the checkpoints," said Matthias. "The guards on the bridge will assume we passed through the embassy gate and had our papers scrutinized there."

 lIn prison uniforms?" Wylan frowned.

 "That's right. Inej, Nina, Matthias, Aria, and I will borrow a change of clothes from one of the delegations—and a little something for our friend Bo Yul-Bayur when we find him, and stroll across the glass bridge. Nina, if there's time, you'll tailor him as much as much as possible, but as long as we don't trigger any alarms, no one is going to notice one more Shu along the guests."

 Jesper sighed. "So what I'm getting from this is that I'm stuck with Wylan?"

 "Unless you've suddenly acquired an encyclopedic knowledge of the White Island, the ability to pick locks, scale unscalable walls, burn someone to ash, or flirt confidential information out of high level officials, then yes. Besides, I want two sets of hands making bombs."

 "Such potential wasted," Jesper said, looking at his guns.

 Aria crossed her arms. "Let's say this all works out, ja? How do we get out?"

 "We walk. That's the beauty of this plan. Remember what I said about guiding the mark's attention? At the embassy's gate, all eyes will be focused on guests coming into the Ice Court. People leaving aren't a security risk." Kaz said.

 Wylan quirked a brow. "So, why the bombs?"

 "Precautions. There are seven miles of road between the Ice Court and the harbor. If someone sees Yul-Bayur is missing, we're going to need to cover territory fast. The main road crossed a gorge. Blow the bridge, no one can follow."

 Matthias rubbed his temples.

 "It's one prisoner, Helvar." said Kaz.

 "And a bridge," added Wylan.

 "And everything we have to blow up in between," said Jesper.

 "Or burn." smiled Aria.

 "Everyone shut up!" Matthias growled.

 "Fjerdans..." said Jesper.

emma / 2023
edited: 05/20/23 & 12/27/23