Shadows and The Sea - The Darkling

Meeting the Crows & Into the Woods

Percy's POV

Jesper and I walked through the village, him grunting out where to turn when we needed to until we ended up basically where the night started. The first thing I saw was the carriage I arrived in but Jesper's eyes were turned to the right.

Just across from the dark carriage, were two figures huddled near the wall. One leaning on the other.

As we neared the two, I was able to hear the taller of the two hiss, "Where's Jesper? We need to move and you're in no condition to be riding."

I brought us to a stop, Jesper's arms still hiked behind his back, "I believe I have something for you."

My announcement caught the two by surprise as they whirled around.

I could now see the face of the man I saw earlier with Aleks and the same man I helped the day of the fete. The other, I was not entirely familiar with but I could tell one thing by the look on her face and the way she was leaning her weight on the other man.

She was injured.

The two continued to stare at us for enough time that it became rather funny to me. The looks on their faces were a mix of shock, thought, weariness, and a tad bit of concern for their friend.

"Well, I'm not gonna kill him if that's what you're worried about," I huffed as I released Jesper's arms and pushed him towards his companions.

The man, Mr. Brekker, I learned from Aleks, held a hand out for the gunslinger which he took and nodded his head, as if letting him know that he was okay.

Cold eyes snapped to me, "Well if you're not going to kill us then what are you going to do?"

I simply crossed my arms and leaned my weight onto one leg, "Well now that depends on you. I just want some answers."

Before another conversation could be started, the familiar clicks of a gun were heard, followed by the bang of a bullet and the sound of metal meeting metal.

A thin wisp of smoke bled from the barrel of Jesper's gun as it was aimed where my unguarded chest previously was but the bullet meant for that target was blocked by my shield. Once I heard the first click of his gun being pulled, I knew what he was trying to do.

I lowered the shield to look at the three once again, all of them looking a different amount of shock, "Now that wasn't very nice, was it? Would you like to try that again and see what happens next or would you like to wait for General Kirigan to come seeing as that shot has now given you away?"

The three were silent before Jesper and the injured woman both looked to Mr. Brekker for an answer.

Looks like I know who the boss is now.

The man with the cane simply stared at me with a calculating gaze before answering, "Fine." His answer caused the other two to give each other a brief concerned look. "As long as I get to ask some of my own."

"Fair enough," I replied while lowering my shield, "That's all I wanted. Wasn't exactly going to kill you like the general was back before anyways. Now, can I at least get some names for you and the woman? I already know Jesper's."

"Brekker. My name's Brekker and she's Inej."

"No, you're Mr. Brekker. Meaning there's a first name attached to that. There's not many people I call sir and you are nowhere near old enough or threatening enough to be one of them."

Mr. Brekker gave me another cold look before answering, "Kaz."

"Well, Kaz, Inej, and Jesper, I'm Percy Jackson. Pleasure to finally make your acquaintance. Now, onto the good stuff, where's Alina?"