𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐎𝐧𝐞

Ⅰ 𝒌𝒆𝒕𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒅𝒂𝒎

THEN

BREY LEANED AGAINST THE COLD WALL OF THE LARGE HOTEL BUILDING. She watched as the final dozens of people slowly made their way onto the large wooden boat. The sailors hurried the last stragglers onto the boat and Brey brought her hands up, clasped together. She spun her hands together in an anticlockwise direction. As her hands separated a green orb floated between her palms.

Gradually the world around her slowed to a state just before a stop. The hair and clothing of the surrounding people were caught in an almost paused state and the waves that crashed against the doc seemed to pause in the air. Brey dropped her hands and grabbed her satchel, weaving her way through the people and onto the boat.

Brey snagged a small crate of apples before carefully making her below deck. Brey hid in the dark corner, hiding the crate of food under her bag before grabbing the small orb that followed her and crushing it between her palms.

Time sped up once again and the lively noises of the crashing waves and people above deck returned. Brey sat back against the wall, a heavy sigh leaving her lips. Brey spun the necklace charm between her fingers, sliding it up and down the silver-colored chain.

𓅨

JESPER LOOKED OVER THE OCEAN. The reality of how long he would be stuck at sea fully set in. Jesper's feet carried him away from his spot, wandering around the upper deck. The people around him were adorned with jewels and wore expensive cloth. Jesper continued on, his attention drawn to the hatch that led below. He wondered what treasures lie hidden out of sight. Jesper looked behind him, the people too absorbed with themselves to notice his decent.

Jesper looked through the crates, riffling through the layers of cloth. Luggage and bags that were once stacked neatly slid out of place as the ship rocked against the waves. Jesper sighed, his patience growing thin when a small flash crossed the corner of his eye. His gaze quickly snapped towards it. It was a necklace attached to a sleeping woman, her hands crossed her stomach.

Jesper hummed softly, stepping forward slightly. Jesper rested his hand on his hip and his elbow knocked one of the crates. Jesper tried to catch it as it fell but just resulted in making more noise as his hands pushed it further instead of gripping the wood.

The woman sprung awake, pulling a revolver from her hip holster and training it on Jesper's figure. "Whoa, easy there love," Jesper exclaimed, raising his hands.

"Who are you?" The woman demanded, her voice laced in a thick Kaelish accent.

"I'm a paying customer, and one not expecting to see a stowaway," Jesper answered, his hand falling slightly.

A loud bang sounded behind them and a burly man walked toward them. "Oi! No one down in the hold," The man called in a gruff voice. The woman tried to sneak further into the shadows as she raised her hands. "What are you doing? Are you a Grisha?" The man pulled his gun, aiming it at the woman and pulling the trigger.

Before the bullet had a chance to reach her, Jesper flicked his fingers and the bullet lodged into a suitcase. Jesper reached for his gun and cracked the butt of the gun against the side of the man's face. He fell to the floor with a heavy thud.

Footsteps raced above their heads as panic arose on the deck. The woman raised her hands pulling them into a circle, clenching her fist and reeled her hands back. Time slowed and the woman stood, grabbing Jesper's shoulder and he caught up to her movements. Jesper spun to face her, shock etched on his face as the girl wiped her hand on her dress despite the black gloves protecting her.

"Help me get rid of him," The woman ordered, grabbing the man by his arms.

"How did-?"

"Listen, butterfingers," The woman snapped. "We have a few minutes to get rid of him. If they see you down here with guns and a Grisha and an unconscious man, they'll throw us both overboard. Help me."

Jesper stuttered slightly before slotting his gun away and grabbing the man's legs. Awkwardly, the two managed to get the man up to the surface and over the side of the boat. "Great so-"

The woman grabbed Jesper by his coat, dragging him back to the hold. "Stay quiet," The woman snapped pulling them both behind a large pile of suitcases. The small light that followed her flickered twice before fading away.

The sounds around the returned and two men descended. "I heard a gunshot," One called, walking through.

"It was most likely a bag," The other sighed. "Look knocked over crates, we found your culprit. Now can we go back up before a vomit?" The first man huffed before following the second back up to the deck.

The woman sighed and slumped against the wall. "Jesper Fahey, Fabrikator," Jesper introduced, extending his hand to the woman.

"Brey Hanser, Time Manipulator, I don't do handshakes," Brey answered. "I don't exactly fit into your... orders."

══════ ◦ • ⌛ • ◦ ══════

Sometime later

JESPER SKIDDED BEHIND THE WALL, BREY SLIDING BEHIND HIM. "What the hell happened?" Brey shouted in a hushed voice as bullets whizzed towards them.

"I don't know," Jesper shouted back. Jesper grabbed his gun from their holsters. Looking through the window in front of them, Jesper watched the silhouettes of the gang shooting at them. Jesper stuck his hand around the corner pulling the trigger twice, landing both shots. "Did you want to help?"

"What do you want me to do?" Brey asked, ripping the bottom of her skirt off.

"There's one in the top window of the building there. You can either get rid of him or, give me something to bounce the shot off," Jesper explained, hitting another two shots.

"I'll take him out,  I'll be back before you know it," Brey teased, bringing her hands up.

"You always are," Jesper smiled. Brey circled her hands, reeling back and slowing time. Brey tossed the remains of her skirt down and rushed toward the brick building. Brey threw the doors open and rushed up the stairs to the top room.

The man was essentially frozen as he pointed his gun out the window at Jesper's position. Brey grabbed a knife from the center of her corset and walked to the man, slicing across his throat. Brey put the knife back and stepped away, moving to leave the room. She paused however when she noticed a piece hanging on a wall.

Two daggers were displayed on the wall. Both were adorned with markings and colors. Brey hummed and took them just as time went back to normal. The man by the window choked and sputtered as his neck tore open and Brey ran back down the stairs.

Brey ran out of the building just in time to see Jesper get tossed to the floor. Jesper jumped up, flinging his gun out and landing a shot on another man. A man ran up behind him, hitting him with the back of his gun.

Brey ran at another, stabbing through his torso and the other through his neck. The man that hit Jesper clicked his gun but before he was able to shoot at Jesper, a second man whacked him across the head with a cane. Brey slowly walked towards them and the man looked over his shoulder at Brey before back at Jesper.

"If you stay out here continuing to go after gangs with no plan, you are going to get yourself killed," The man explained in a cool, velvety voice. "Allow me to offer you a job." Jesper stood up and brushed down his jacket and made his way to Brey.

"Whatever your offering, we come as a package deal," Jesper huffed, slotting his guns back and resting his hands on his hips.

𓅨

KAZ LETD THE TWO BACK TO THE CROW CLUB. Walking them through the people, they dodged patrons with drinks and cigarettes'. Jesper paused as he noticed a group of men gambling. "Jes," Brey chastised, nudging him along. Kaz led them to his office space.

"What are your names?" Kaz demanded, resting his hands against the top of his desk.

"Jesper Fahey," Jesper spoke after a moment.

"Brey Hanser," Brey nodded.

"There are a few changes you'll have to adjust to," Kaz spoke walking around them. "First, I would advise you to get something a little less... noticeable," Kaz suggested in a smooth voice, raising one of his covered hands to reveal Brey's necklace hanging from his fingers.

Brey's hand raised to ghost across her neck, feeling across her empty skin. "Give that back," Brey demanded, outstretching her hand. Kaz tore his hand back, the accessory out of her reach. "It was my sister's and I'd appreciate it deeply if you give it back before I shove that cane up your ass."

Jesper released a shocked snort before trying to cover it up with a cough as he turned away. Kaz slowly let his hand hover above Brey's, dropping it on her palm. Brey snatched it up and took a step back, gripping it in her hands. "You can be whoever you need to in the Barrel," Kaz spoke ominously, before leaving them.

Brey looked back at Jesper who shrugged softly. "He means your name," A female voice spoke from the shadows and a small girl stepped out. "You're in Ketterdam now."

NOW

BREY WALKED AROUND THE BARREL. Taking empty glasses from the tables and walking them back to the bar. "Yes! I love it!" A man shouted.

"Darling, please," A man from the gambling table called, waving Brey over. "Drinks here. Drinks all 'round here, please." Brey nodded and spun to the bar, loading up a tray of beer and moving back to the table, placing a beer in front of each man. "Hey, you take Zemeni coin, yes?" The man questioned, tossing a pouch to the man overseeing the game.

"Let me see that," Jesper ordered, his foot propped against the table. The man flicked a coin to his hand and Brey took a step back, holding her tray at her side. Jesper dropped his foot, leaning his elbows against the table and laying his cards face down. "The Lucky Nine casino up the block has had trouble with counterfeit coin lately. Heavy, but brittle."

"Oh, come on, now," The man whined. "I've been here for hours. My money is good, no?"

Jesper's eyes moved to Brey as she walked around to him. "Zemeni coin can take a bullet," Jesper explained, spinning the coin between his fingers. "But the knockoff..." Jesper winked and flicked the coin in the air, pulling his gun out and shooting at the coin. It made a harsh ding and fell to the table, smoke floating from the metal.

Brey set a shot down for Jesper and picked the coin up, displaying it to the other Barrel employees. "Busted," Jesper hummed, flicking his gun and slotting it back in his holster.

"What does that prove?" The man questioned. Brey nodded at the two men and they grabbed the man's shoulders. "Hey! Wait! What are you doing? Get off me!"

Jesper downed the shot Brey gave him before reaching for the money. A crack sounded as Kaz's cane smacked on the table, stopping Jesper's hands. "No loud noises at the table, Jesper," Kaz reprimanded, resting his hand on the crow's head on the cane. "You'll scare off the pigeons."

"Wouldn't want that, boss," Jesper agreed.

"Shouldn't you be on the door?" Kaz questioned, his eyes flicking upwards.

"Yeah, right away, boss," Jesper agreed with a quick nod.

Kaz nodded slowly and tossed his cane into his other hand. "Clear the table Brey," Kaz ordered, walking past her.

"Sure thing," Brey nodded. Brey held her tray again and picked up the empty shot glasses, placing them on the tray.

"Why isn't he so mean with you?" Jesper asked, grabbing his hat and standing up, following behind Brey.

"He is, you just get on his nerves easier," Brey corrected, picking up another beer mug. "Door Jes," Brey reminded. Jesper huffed and turned around, headed for the door. Brey shook her head and walked to the bar, sliding the tray to another girl.

"Darling, I need another round!" A man yelled from across the club.

𓅨

KAZ LED INEJ, JESPER AND BREY THROUGH TEH DARK STREETS. Kaz informed them simply that they were looking for a lead on how to cross the fold. "Tell us how to safely cross the Fold," Kaz instructed, his hands resting on his cane.

"The Fold?" The woman repeated, her cigar lit between her fingers. "If I knew safe passage through that, I'd be wealthier than the whole Merchant Council."

"You told me you brought in girls from Os Alta. The other side," Inej recalled.

"Yeah. The hard way," The woman confirmed. "Lost a few to those damn volcra, too."

.

The next lead they tried came from Jesper. "Nah, there's no trick to it except how it makes people disappear from time to time," A man relayed as he messed with the playing cards in his hands.

"I heard you bragging of a way to make a path," Jesper reminded.

"I was taking kruge from a tourist. A little lie," The man admitted. "The Fold keeps those Ravkan bastards and their Grisha attack dogs in check. Can you imagine how dangerous it would be if it wasn't there?" Jesper sighed and stood up, glancing back at the others.

.

"Just go around," The next man they went to insisted.

"It stretches up north to the Fjerdan border," Brey informed, crossing her arms.

"Ja. So go to Fjerda. March through the permafrost," The man instructed.

"How long would that take?" Kaz questioned.

"From here? Four months. Maybe five," The man informed, wrapping the bandages around his fist.

"We don't have that kind of time," Kaz spoke.

"Either you take your time or you take your chances," The man spoke, throwing practice punches in the air. Jesper pointed ahead, motioning the others out the door.

A woman in dark red bumped shoulders with Brey, bating her eyelashes at her. "Brey?" Inej called.

"Go," Brey insisted, disappearing into the crowd and following after the red color. Brey followed her out the door until they reached an alley. Brey grabbed the woman's arm and threw her into the alley. "Maxim."

"Hello Brey Foley," Maxim purred, pushing herself forward against Brey and pulling off her hood. Brey stepped back, grimacing slightly at the woman. "Got a lead for you. Well, I intercepted someone else's lead." Brey stepped back reaching into her pocket and pulling out forty kruge. "Dreesens calling for a Heartrender, before midnight. No explanation why." Maxim pulled out a scrawled note, showing it to Brey as she took the money from her.

"How'd you get it?" Brey demanded, reading over the messy writing.

"Intercepted it," Maxim shrugged. Maxim pulled it back, shoving it back in her corset. "One problem, Pekka knows."

"Get rid of it," Brey instructed before turning away. "Before anyone else finds it." Maxim nodded and pulled her hood back over her head. Brey turned down the alley and sped back to the club.

𓅨

❝ 𝒕𝒊𝒎𝒆 is a funny thing ❞