As the Crow Flies

Black Diamond

BAM! The piercing sound of the gunshot left a shrill ringing in the ears of everyone in the room. Alexi's chair fell backwards with a thud. Dreeson leisurely made sure that the damage he had inflicted on the Ravkan was lethal, and muttered something funny to himself. Then he returned his attention to the Crows.

"We are now the only people west of the fold with this information. My ship sails for west Ravka at dawn. If you can prove to me that you have a way through the fold and back, I'll put you an that ship with an advance." Dreeson said. He strode into the doorway, then faced the Crows, sighing. He didn't waste his energy hiding his distaste for the small band of criminals, "If you don't, I'm giving this job to Pekka Rollins."

"Give me a day. I'll have a plan." Kaz said, spinning to face Dreeson. Hearing the name Pekka Rollins was more than enough to convince him this was worth more than the million Kruge.

"You have until dawn. Then your ship will have sailed, Mr. Brekker." Dreeson left absolutely no room for argument. "The prize is one million kruge. Now bring me Alina Starkov." Dreeson turned himself around and took half a step before stopping once again, he didn't look back. "If you somehow manage to find a way, you'll be joined by a man called Flyk. I'll send him after you."

...

Jesper struggled to understand how Kaz's hatred of Pekka Rollins could carry him at such a pace; cane and all. He and Inej were almost chasing him through the streets on their return trip to the Crow Club. They weren't seriously going to get this job, right? With only six hours to find reliable transportation through the fold? Inej didn't seem confident.

"What are we doing, boss?" Jesper asked, taking a few quick steps to catch up to Kaz fully.

"We're finding a way across the fold." Kaz said, stopping suddenly. Jesper nearly ran into the back of him. A few feet from the entrance of the Crow Club, a tall, lean man dressed in black leaned against the wall and watched their approach. He had one leg crossed in front of the other and his hands in his pockets. His clothes looked tailored and expensive, if not a bit too casual. Realizing their pause, the man pushed off of the wall and began toward them without hesitation.

"You must be the infamous Kaz Brekker." The man grinned, his voice having a roguish charm about it. He extended a hand toward Kaz, "I'm here on behalf of Mr. Dreeson."

Kaz readjusted his gloves before he shook the stranger's hand, "You're Flyk?" His slender fingers ended in long, well-maintained nails.

"That's me." Flyk confirmed, bringing a hand to his chest. "I'll be joining your crew for this venture—assuming you've a way to cross the fold?"

"I will." Kaz said, leading the group inside of the Crow Club. "Jesper, I need you to socialize. See if anyone has crossed the fold or knows anyone else who's crossed the fold. Take notes." Jesper tipped his hat, then headed for the closest table. "Inej—"

"I need to talk to you." Inej said, glaring at him. "Upstairs." She left Kaz where he was, with Flyk, and swiftly disappeared to the second floor. Kaz waited a few moments, clenching his jaw, before following after her.

"Where did you want me?" Flyk asked as Kaz started to walk away.

Kaz paused and half-turned back to Flyk, "Down here, for five minutes. Then come upstairs and knock on the door." He said, "Don't touch anything." And with that, he left.

Flyk leaned against the bar, his hands on the edge of the table, tapping his nails on the countertop. The cozy, yellow lit room was filled with chatter and the occasional surge of laughter from one of the tables. The air smelled of alcohol and a chill breeze blew in through the doorway. Flyk noted several sets of eyes darting away from him as he scanned over the room.