The Commissioner
DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN SIX OF CROWS, CREDIT GOES TO ITS PROPER OWNERS
WARNING: IT MAY NOT MAKE SENSE AT FIRST, BUT IT WILL IN THE END
Matthias
Note: Begins in the middle of "Six of Crows" when Kaz is around recruiting happy volunteers for the heist and goes into "Crooked Kingdom"
"Tell me again why we are going into the Stadwatch Headquarters again?" Matthias heard Jesper ask Kaz for probably the fifth time that day. It was early afternoon in Kerch, with grey rain clouds rolling in and very few stalking the streets, leaving them relatively empty.
They stood outside one of the official Stadwatch centers that filled Ketterdam, the official locations where the Stadwatch worked and operated from all throughout Kerch. It was a high, grim and dull building, constructed of grey, stone blocks and old, faded wood. A wooden sign hung just outside the great double doors-where two senior Stadwatch officers stood on guard-displaying the symbol of Kerch's Law Enforcement.
"Because Jesper," Kaz replied, softly tapping his cane on the ground, creating a soft tap tap on the cobbled floor of the road. "We need to speak to someone inside, someone we need for this job."
"Who?" Inej asked from her place as she leaned against the wall of a building next to Nina.
Kaz turned to her and gave a small grin, one of those that gave you chills and let you know that he knew what he was doing.
"Wait to find out," he said and suddenly started to walk towards the Stadwatch center, whistling and swinging his cane all the way. Matthias followed suit like the rest, thoroughly interested in what Brekker had in mind and what he was planning to do.
Once they reached the doors of the center one of the guards stepped in front of them to block the way.
"State your business," he said, brandishing his rifle intimidatingly to the group.
Kaz only grinned.
"I need to speak to one of your superiors," he said, not expanding on what he needed to speak to them about.
"I'm sorry sir, but you are not authorized to enter this facility, only official Stadwatch are," the guard replied.
Kaz simply reached into his pocket and drew out a small pouch sounded with a jingle when moved. He handed it to the guard who quickly stashed it in his pocket and stepped aside, giving a nod to his partner.
"That's alright sir, go on in," the guard corrected and almost ceremoniously held open the door for them. The group entered the center, taking in the bleak surroundings of the inside, lightened only by a large purple and gold rug on the floor and the occasional poster of Stadwatch propaganda hanging from the walls.
A young, brown haired secretary sat at a small desk in the corner of the entrance hall, organizing papers and doing other various tasks. It was to her that Kaz immediately waltzed over to, tapping his cane on the floor to grab her attention.
The secretary jumped as the cane came down and looked up with surprise to see Kaz standing before her.
"Can I help you, sir?" she asked, a steely, business-like manner flooding her tone, obviously built from having to deal with important people and figures that most likely came through such a place.
"Yes," Kaz said, equally as business-like. "I would like to speak to Commissioner Garfield, please."
"I'm sorry, but the Commissioner is a very busy man, I'm afraid that he doesn't have time to speak to you and your entourage," the secretary replied, gazing back at Matthias and the others.
"That's fine," Kaz countered once more. "Just tell him that Dirtyhands is here to speak with him and he'll let through, if you would be so kind."
The secretary took one deep breath and with a roll of her eyes got up to run to do as Kaz requested, obviously annoyed at being taken away from her work.
Once she was gone, Kaz sauntered back to the group, a wide grin playing all over his face.
"Kaz what do you think you're doing?" Jesper practically yelled once he rejoined them.
"If I didn't know you Kaz, I'd say you'd lost your mind," Inej agreed.
"I second that," Nina voiced.
Matthias remained silent along with Wylan, but knew what all the excitement and bustle was about.
Commissioner Robert Garfield was one of the most renowned members of the Stadwatch known throughout Kerch and even beyond. Having a large and respected reputation as one who upheld the law and was notorious good at catching criminals and thieves, earning him the title of "The Thief-Taker General of Kerch." Even Matthias, despite being confined in the prison of Hellgate (and just freshly freed for that matter) had heard of the legendary law enforcer.
But all Kaz said to the questions was. "Just wait and see."
The secretary returned a few minutes later with a surprised expression across her features.
"The Commissioner will see you, please follow me," she said and turned to lead them down the hall.
The group followed through the halls of the Stadwatch center, going up two flights of stairs and down several hallways. Passing by several Stadwatch officials who gave them all suspicious and confused glances, but did nothing about it and went about their business.
Eventually they came down to the end of a long hall and stopped before a simple black door, decorated with a golden plaque labelled "Commissioner Garfield."
"The Commissioner is waiting inside," the secretary said and then turned to leave them there.
Kaz only nodded and once she was gone, stepped up to the door and knocked once and stepped back and waited.
To Matthias' surprise a fairly young voice of a young man came from the other side, not aged or rough like he expected. Not the voice that one would expect from an experienced and knowledgeable member of the Stadwatch.
"Come in," the voice said.
Kaz then turned the handle of the door and entered with the others close behind.
They came into a fairly large office crafted of dark wood and stone, but I was definitely livelier than the rest of the center that they had seen. With an expensive looking rug lying in the center of the room and several packed bookcases pressed against the walls.
But Matthias' attention wasn't drawn to any of that, but rather, was honed in on the fine wooden desk at the end of the room and the person who sat behind it.
In a large, leather chair behind the desk sat not a grizzled old man with years of experience under his belt, but instead there sat a young, grinning, teenage boy, no older than Kaz. Wearing an expensive looking overcoat and tie, a silver handled cane lied on top of the desk, causing Matthias to wonder what it was with canes and people of power.
"Well, well, well," the boy, who Matthias assumed to be the commissioner, said as the group entered the office. "I must say Brekker, this is quite a surprise, and usually I have to go to the criminals, not the other way around." He then took in the presence of Wylan. "Mr. Van Eck, I must say I'm surprised to see you amongst this crowd, also most unexpected."
"It's not my first choice," Wylan replied almost aggressively.
"You should know by now Commissioner, to always expect the unexpected," Kaz said, taking a seat on one of the couches as the others did the same.
"Fair enough," Commissioner Garfield agreed. "But tell me, what has caused this unexpected social call. And give me one reason why I shouldn't call security right now and have you all arrested."
"Because, I have a proposition for you," Kaz said. "One that, if you decide to accept and we pull this off, could make you rich beyond your wildest dreams."
Matthias couldn't say he was surprised, it was almost a universal fact that half the Stadwatch of Kerch were corrupt and often being paid off by the criminals that they were supposed to catch. But how this boy managed to both catch criminals, maintain a positive reputation and be paid off all at once was beyond the Fjerdan.
"Well I can't resist the chance of money," Garfield conceded. "Go on."
"You can say its official Kerch business," Kaz explained, pulling one of his gloves tighter. "We've been commissioned by the Merchant Council to rescue a person of great importance to them from Fjerda, with a reward of thirty million kruge waiting down the road if we succeed."
"Come now, Brekker, you know you're going to have to spill all the details if you want me on board your little crew here," Garfield scolded mockingly. "Who is it they want rescued? And why do you need me?"
Kaz sat silent for a moment and Matthias, despite only knowing him for a short time, could see the gears and inner workings of Brekkers mind go to work.
"You're aware of the events that have recently taken place at Councilman Hoede's house, yes?" he finally asked the Commissioner.
"Of course, I personally lead the investigation," Commissioner Garfield replied. "But as the suspect of the crime is already dead and there is no way to retrieve the soldiers out of their trance, it's as good as solved to me. But it did vex me how a Grisha managed to do such a marvelous work of magic." He paused and looked at Brekker with a smile. "I assume you know something?"
Kaz only nodded his admittance.
"A Shu chemist by the name of Bo Yul-Bayur has invented a new drug known as Jurda Parem. It has been found to have the ability to increase the powers of a Grisha immensely, that is what you witnessed with those Stadwatch at Councilman Hoede's house," he said, giving the full details of their mission. "We are to penetrate the Ice Court where he is held and bring him back to Kerch."
"The Ice Court, ay?" Garfield said with a chuckle. "Now that seems impossible, even for you Brekker, if any of the stories I heard is true. Besides, are you sure it's a good idea to be doing that with a Fjerdan at you're side? You know they're a sticky lot." Garfield pointed to Matthias now.
"What did you say?" Matthias said, his full attention being drawn to the conversation.
"You heard me," the Commissioner said without guilt. "I've met a few Fjerdans in my career, stiff, brutish and often unpleasant lot in my opinion, all twirled up in honor and duty and their faith in their god, what's his name?"
"Matthias," Nina said with worry, placing a hand on his arm as he stood, but he shook her off and began to approach the now grinning commissioner, the room filled with tension.
"I will not have you insult my countrymen and I, especially the holy name of Djel!" Matthias lost complete control, feeling rage at the insults dealt to him and his countrymen and his God. He leaped towards the smiling boy, but before he could put his hands on the insolent law enforcer, Matthias felt a sharp stab in his gut. Garfield had drawn out the handle of his cane, revealing a foot long blade which he now held lightly against Matthias' gut.
"I suggest you sit down," the commissioner commanded slowly. "Before you do something you regret."
Matthias slowly complied and turned to sit down as Nina patted his shoulder sympathetically. Most of his companions looked at him and the commissioner with shock while Kaz was actually smiling.
Garfield replaced his blade within the guise of his cane with a satisfied grin and turned back to Brekker.
"Now, I believe you were going to tell me why you came to offer me this kind proposition," Garfield continued as if nothing had taken place.
"You are a public face and so good at your job that you're known outside of Kerch, to some extent anyway," Kaz explained. "We need you to enter the Ice Court on official "business" on behalf of Kerch for the Ball they plan on hosting there. Be our eyes and ears as it were."
Commissioner Garfield seemed to think on it for a moment, sitting up straighter in his chair and straightening his tie and coat. Finally, he turned to Brekker, looking the Bastard of the Barrel straight in the eye without fear.
"I'll do it," he said. "On one condition."
There was always a catch.
"And that would be?" Kaz questioned emotionlessly.
"You hand over Per Haskell."
Matthias could feel the tension rise in the room, with complete silence as the lawman and the crook stared at each other endlessly. Jesper looked frantic and nervous, actively looking from Kaz to Garfield, Inej just sat silently looking at Kaz. Wylan sat next to Jesper seeming more confused than anything else and Nina simply sat silently next to Matthias.
"Done," Kaz suddenly agreed, breaking the tense silence.
Matthias noticed that Inej suddenly sat a little straighter, staring in surprise at Brekker and Jesper had an equally if not more confused expression on his face. He replied to each of these with a knowing look which seemed to calm their surprise for that moment. Matthias found he didn't care, all he cared about was receiving his pardon after the job was done.
"Great, let's seal the deal then shall we?" Garfield inquired, he went to stand and grabbed his cane, and Matthias noticed with surprise that he seemed to have some trouble coming to his feet. Garfield then limped over to where Kaz now stood, Matthias then remembered a story he had heard in Hellgate.
A story of how the young Robert Garfield, early in his career in the Stadwatch, had lost his leg when it was shot by a thief he had been pursuing, leading to the said leg being amputated. Despite the injury, the young man had still managed to apprehend the criminal in question. And even after the loss of his leg, the young man had refused to be discharged from the Stadwatch and continued to serve within its ranks. This whole affair had started the Commissioners rise to being known as one of the greatest lawmen of Kerch and beyond.
Garfield and Brekker now faced one another in the center of the room and Matthias thought it almost poetic. Two men, boys really, crimpled and maimed, yet both were able to achieve immeasurable power, one on the side of the law with the other against it.
Garfield stuck his free hand out towards Brekker, his other hand busy with supporting him with his cane. Kaz looked down at the hand for a single moment and then reached out a single gloved hand to take hold of it and shake it, sealing their agreement.
Garfield seemed to smile and turned back towards his desk, his wooden leg thumping on the floor as he made his way back.
"Well what are we waiting for?" Garfield asked with a wry grin. "We've got a fortress to rob."