The Commissioner Part 3
Nina
They arrived in Fjerda a couple days later and Nina couldn't help but be drawn back into the memories of her past time here, back when she first met Matthias all that time ago. It was just as cold as she remembered and she shivered as the chill wind met her face.
They landed in a small port town on the shores of Fjerda, coming under the guise of Kerch merchants there to trade with the locals. It close enough resemblance to civilized life, but not noticeable enough to draw attention to them or give others a hint at their motives.
"Robert will be acting as the official representative of Kerch to the Ice Court," Kaz explained, once they had all gathered on the Ferolind's deck. "I've arranged for a carriage to take him and Nina there with forged invitations, they should be let in without questions. The rest of us will infiltrate the Court through one of the local prison wagons that are on their way there. We will rendezvous will Nina and Robert inside to continue to the next part of the job."
Nina came to attention at the mention of her name and asked the question that immediately came to her mind.
"Why am I going with him?" Nina asked, pointing over to Robert who stood leaning on his cane nearby, dressed in a more padded version of his uniform, fit for more cold weather.
"You are to be acting as his escort," Kaz explained. "To make it all appear official, so I suggest you dress accordingly, we leave in an hour."
Ninawould be lying if she said she wasn't happy to be riding with the young lawman, not to mention having to act as his escort for the whole mission.
When the time came to leave Nina met the others on the deck once more, dressed in a slim red dress that outlined her figure and emphasized her curves. Robert was dressed in kind, in his official Stadwatch uniform, displaying several medals and rewards pinned to his suit.
"I assume we're all ready?" Kaz asked, pacing before the group.
When no one replied he simply took it as a yes and began relaying instructions.
"We'll meet you inside the court," he said to Nina and Robert. "Stick to the plan and do your job, avoid drawing attention to yourself. At least more than you can handle." And with that, they all went their separate ways.
Kaz had arranged for a small carriage service to take Nina and Robert to the Ice Court, not the most luxurious mode of transport Nina had been on, but it worked for their current situation.
The coachmen stood at typical Fjerdan fashion, back straight, eyes front, holding the door open for his passengers in almost military fashion. Nina stepped into the carriage with elegant grace, lifting her dress slightly to free her legs as she entered. Robert followed behind her, lifting himself into the carriage with practiced ease, despite his false leg.
Nina sat across from Robert as they began their journey, the carriage silently moving along the route to the Court as the two teenagers sat there in, what Nina felt like, was an uncomfortable silence.
"Don't worry," Robert said out of nowhere as he gazed out of the carriages window, resting his hands on his cane. "I don't like it any more than you do."
Nina found herself surprised at this and even a little offended, in an insecure and irrational fashion.
"I would think it would be any man's dream to share a lone carriage ride with a woman," Nina said, putting on an official, business like posture that she usually reserved for clients at the White Rose.
Robert turned to her, a wry grin on his face, looking the attractive Ravkan up and down.
"I'd hardly call myself a man," he said. "I'm younger than you, still in my teens, I've just been forced to grow up quickly."
"So have the rest of us," Nina replied, feeling like she could relate to the young commissioner to an extent.
"Regardless," Robert continued, that grin still plastered onto his face. "My luck with women has not been the best outside the Barrels many pleasure houses."
"I would hardly expect a respectable lawman like yourself to visit such places," Nina said.
"Even agents of justice get their urges," Robert explained, returning to gaze out the window. "It's all a matter of finding the ones that will remain quiet about your activities and silencing the ones who won't."
The corruption of the Thief-Taker General of Kerch was well known amongst those involved in the criminal underworld. Holding a range of bribes, black mail and extortion rackets, the youthful lawman would've been ruined if any of his secret activities had come to light. Many an arrogant and cocky villain had tried to use such information against the youthful law enforcer. But they had all ended up the same way, with a noose around their necks or a bullet from a firing squad.
Even Kaz Brekker, Dirtyhands himself held a large amount of respect for Garfield concerning his cunning and illegal prowess and had named him an enemy best not aggravating.
"Why did you agree to come with us?" Nina found herself asking, unable to resist. "There must have been some reason other than the money." That was how it was for the rest of them besides Kaz, how could Robert be any different? Matthias wanted his pardon, Jesper to pay off his debts, even Nina just wanted to go back to Ravka with Inej wanting to pay off her indenture if Nina guessed correctly.
Robert only shrugged.
"A boost in reputation with a large gain in currency, not to mention I get to take one of the most revered mob bosses off the streets, what else is there besides personal gain, Ms. Zenik? I have nothing else to live for." He said it all casually, without emotion or personality, completely business.
"If you live only for yourself, then you live for nothing," she said. "One must believe in something other than themselves if they wish to truly live."
A pause followed, as Robert considered her words, his eyes gazing out at the snow lying blanketed outside the window. All trace of his casual, cocky and business like attitude gone with the banter that they had played only a few minutes before.
"I lost my belief a long time ago," he said.
And silence followed.
Whoo! Another chapter done and finished! I just like to apologize for the long time to upload, the reason I published the first two chapters so quick was because I'd had it all written down at the time. I planned on publishing this story in one big document, but then decided that it might be better to split it up into separate chapters.
I'd also like to apologize for any cringy writing or inconsistencies you may have encountered while reading. I've been writing for a few years now, but I'd still only place myself at maybe the upper end of decent at this point. As for inconsistencies, I have the original books here beside me as references for when I write, but we can all overlook stuff.
Beyond that I thank you for reading and hope you enjoyed!
-Venture-Man543
