By Way of the Crow

Being a Crow

[A.N: Introductory oneshot? I think yes. My brain won't shut up so now you get to deal with it. I have never written for Six of Crows before- clearly- so be gentle. Not proofread- we die like men.]

Ketterdam was never really a vacation spot anyone wanted. In fact, it was place you tried to avoid at all costs. Filled to the brim with pick pockets, assassins, and swindlers, no one was really a friend to anyone. When you weren't in the Barrel with the worst of them, the Lid was filled with filthy money-grubbers who were willing to slight any deal if it meant a little extra kruge to line their pockets. (Never mind the fact they nearly own a significant portion of the city via trade and companies.)

You find yourself in Ketterdam after an incident on your ship, the crew needing more supplies than what was on hand or else it would leave you all stranded on the water.

The people didn't seem all the friendly, the blustering cold keeping most everyone indoors and those passing by hurried to somewhere else, hats pulled low and collars upturned. A few stands were open, the owners struggling against the cold hoping to just make enough for the day. You felt bad for them, all these poor people, living in squalor and scraping by.

As if reading your thoughts, a voice spoke up behind you. "If you feel bad, don't. It's a scam." 

You jump, a little startled, and the voice laughs. You turn around, seeing a young man about your age. "First time in Ketterdam?" He grins, the kind of grin to woo girls, but you could see a hidden threat behind those eyes. 

"Yes," you answer, a little hesitant.

He hums, nodding. "I figured as much. You're too clean." He takes his hat off, bowing theatrically. "The name's Jesper Fahey, and who do I have the honor of meeting?"

You introduce yourself, and Jesper vaguely gestures to the sellers booths. "Don't feel bad for them, they do this on purpose, sitting out on a cold day like this. It makes tourists buy more, so keep your coin in your pocket if you can avoid it."

"I'll try to remember that."

"Oh, and word of advice- don't answer every question honestly. If you can't lie, I suggest half-truths. Because every good lie has a little truth." He tips his hat, and starts to leave.

"Wait-!" You hurry to catch up with his surprisingly long strides. "Is the whole city like this?"

"Afraid it is, friend. You don't plan on living here, do you?"

"No, I'm passing though. My-" You bit your tongue, remembering his advice. Best to leave things as simply passing through.

Jesper smirks a little, giving you a side glance. "You catch on quickly, I like that."

"Is there a place I could stay for the evening? I won't be able to leave until tomorrow."

He thought for a moment, contemplating something. "Just one evening?"

"Yes,"

"Then I might know a place..."

Muffled shouting drifted downstairs. "We are not a hotel!"

Jesper brought you to an oddly cozy-looking parlor a few blocks where you ran into him, he'd called it the Crow Club. There were only a few people, you assumed they worked here. They didn't look like patrons, at least that's what you thought.

"You oughta be pretty interesting if Jesper brought you in." You looked up, a girl taking up a seat next to you. "I'm Nina," You nod and introduce yourself. "Traveling?"

"Yeah,"

"Where are you headed?"

You opened your mouth to tell her, but what made you think she was any more trustworthy than someone else on the street? You only know her name. Nina smiles a little, understanding.

"Now I know why."

"Know what?"

"Why Jesper brought you. You're smart."

Your brows furrowed, a little confused. Before you could ask her what she meant, a door slammed open, another young man with an angered and tired expression descending the stairs with Jesper trailing behind him. He carried a cane, supporting a limp. "I would have expected this from Inej, maybe Wylan- but you?" He whipped around to face Jesper. "How many bets have you made and how many have you lost?"

"You took on me-"

"You are an investment. You have a skill-"

"It's one night, Kaz. One night and they'll be gone the next morning."

Kaz, you realized, turned his head and spotted you, his gaze sharp and piercing. "What ship did you come on?"

You blinked. "Huh?" 

"What ship did you come on?" he repeats. 

"Just a little trade ship," you answer. "I thought it was cheaper. They even offered-"

"Offered you a ride?" he finished. "And you took it." Kaz sighs, once again looking to Jesper. "So much for your claim of their intelligence..."

Jesper grew frustrated. "I'm not asking you to recruit them, I'm asking to just let them spend the night until they leave-"

"How many times do I have to say we're not a hotel-?!"

"Kaz," A different girl reached for him, but didn't touch him. Kaz's shoulders dropped, but his face remained hardened. "They won't talk, they're most likely truly passing through. Nothing will be compromised."

"When does the ship leave?" Kaz asked.

"I don't know," you answered.

"They're not staying the night. Let them stay until nightfall, then Jesper- I want you to take them back to the ship." Jesper merely nodded, understanding. "When someone doesn't tell you when to come back or when they're leaving, they're trying to leave you."

"They wouldn't do that-" you tried to argue, but Kaz cut you off.

"How do you know? How well do you know any of the crew? You're just assuming they wouldn't leave you because they've offered you transport for little to no cost and they've been relatively friendly, yes?"

It sounded like a trick question, but you couldn't see where to poke a hole in his argument. "I guess so...?"

"Question everything, trust nothing."

"Kaz-" the girl interrupted. "That's enough, we'll take care of it. We haven't failed you yet."

He exhaled slowly through his nose. "Yet..." Kaz turned, heading back up the stairs.

Nina leaned over to you. "Don't worry, it's just the weather. He does care, but we're all sure he'll die first before he admits it."

Just as the sun had set and stars were dotting the sky, you bid your good-byes and Jesper led you back to the docks. Aside from Kaz, you managed to have a little fun with the rest of Jesper's friends, mostly playing card games and betting with Nina's cookies (which she wasn't exactly happy to share).

Things felt off on the way back, but you assumed it was normal, feeling odd and out of place in a new city. Especially if this one is as bad as you think it is.

When the docks came into sight, you glanced around in hopes to find the little trade ship you'd came on. Jesper followed you down to one end, then back to the other. "So... which one?"

"I don't know- it's not here." Your heart started to sink, was what Kaz said true? About being left behind?

"We'll find it." Two more passes, and nothing. The ship that brought you had left, and more than likely, they weren't coming back. Tears welled in your eyes- your things were still on that ship, so now you had nothing except what was in your pockets. Jesper slipped an arm over your shoulders. "Hey, we'll find you a way out, alright? Let's get back and I'll explain. We'll figure out what to do, so don't panic."

You didn't want to be stranded, you wanted to leave. You wanted your things- even to go home. You've never felt this cut off before, it was almost suffocating.

How would you ever make it here?

[A.N: Comments and feedback are more than welcome ^w^ (Also- lmk if y'all like this and my requests for this book are open.)]