𝐅𝐑𝐎𝐌 𝐄𝐃𝐄𝐍 | Kaz Brekker

「a light in the dark」

The Crows and Arken were bumping along the roads of West Ravka in an unbelievably uncomfortable carriage. Jesper and Inej sat either side of Arken while Kaz and Valeria sat opposite them, rolling their eyes every time the conductor made a noise out of fear when he looked at Valeria.

"I didn't hire you to simply get us across the Fold. You're with us because you smuggle Grisha out of the little palace, and that's the location of our target." Kaz said, the carriage jostling them so his thigh was pressed against Valeria's but neither made a move to alter their position.

"Sun summoner." Inej said swiftly, making the scowl Kaz wore deeper.

"Alleged." He corrected, letting his knee numb against Valeria.

"They wouldn't keep a fraud in the most secure place in Ravka." Inej countered, making Kaz suppress an eye roll. Jesper and Valeria had to stifle laughs at both the conductors obvious intimidation by them all and Kaz's ever deepening scowl. But the laugh disappeared from her throat as Kaz leant more on her to keep himself and his temper in check.

They had not discussed what had happened in the conductors apartment but Valeria did not feel incredibly guilty about nearly killing the conductor, more so that she had nearly killed Kaz. That she had been so high strung and off guard that she had lashed out out of shock to the only man who had never meant her harm.

As she wrestled with self loathing, Kaz watched sunlight mar her features out of the corner of his eye. It was so rare for the clouds to part and let the sun's rays through, so this was a sight he was seeing occur on the Viper's skin was something he wanted to remember. He did not blame her for seeking out freedom, if he hadn't an idea who the man was he would've killed him himself for her.

"You said you have a contact that can get us inside, a Heartrender." Kaz stated more than asked as Valeria felt herself slip off into unconsciousness from lack of sleep before the carriage hot a pot hole and she jolted awake slightly. Arken was staring out the window most likely dreaming of escape but Jesper noticed and let out a laugh while Valeria flipped him off playfully.

The conductor hummed and nodded, trying to cover up his clear anxiety in the situation and Jesper couldn't help but find the whole situation quite hilarious. Thus triggering Valeria and Jesper's usual laugh stifling shenanigans causing a bitter taste to appear in Kaz's mouth.

"How do I know we can trust her?" He asked, pulling Val's leg closer to his with his cane.

"Nina grew up there." Arken said, glancing at Jesper who was biting back a cackle at Kaz's obvious jealousy.

"Most Grisha grew up in the little palace." Valeria stated, crossing her arms over her chest to stabilise herself slightly.

"Very few would betray their General." Kaz said, their bad cop bad cop routine retuning like muscle memory. "And fewer would help foreigners kidnap their most prized possession."

Arken's lips tightened when he heard her speak again and he went red.

"Nina's a radical. Thinks Grisha should get to chose whether or not they serve the crown. She despises involuntary service more than she does Fjerdans." He said, attempting to meet Val's eyes before looking down again.

The hours wore on the crows and the night spent wandering Ketterdam without sleep was affecting Valeria who was already running on very little rest. Her eyes threatened to close every few moments and Kaz watched her carefully to make sure the carriage's jostling did not cause her to hurt herself. He needed her without a head injury for the foreseeable future.

"We're here." Arken said after a while, pulling himself out as quickly as possible and lead them down the cobbled paths.

They were following the conductor to a Grisha Heartrender's home known as Nina Zenik. Jesper and Inej walked behind the two. Jesper, who had missed the chaos of the last night as he was being chased by the guards of the Emerald palace until only moments ago was trying to figure out why Valeria looked like she wanted to burn everything.