Lunch was over. The conversation of business was mingled with small talk that neared a rather hostile affair. Wylan knew that this was rather common. Business was never meant to be pleasant. It was merely maintained to keep power in the hands of the wealthy merchants and politicians such as his father.

In Wylan's dream, he recalled Nina and Matthias were closer than they appeared to be in reality. But then again, he also recognized the small glances they kept taking to look at the other when they were paying no attention. Maybe it was due to the unsavory feud between their people and ideals that led to such looks, but then again, the expressions upon their faces couldn't exactly constitute a glare.

Through and through, Kaz was attempting to play the peacemaker of the group. He was extremely well-mannered and groomed, contradicting the dark look in his eyes that suggested a hidden past as peculiar as the one he hid from everyone in the dream. Moreover, his attempt at professionalism was slightly flawed when it came to the way he approached anything Inej would say. He was more careful with his words around her. It was something Wylan was sure everyone noticed except for she herself who continued to question terms and arrangements that were roughly discussed before today.

As Wylan reflected on all these things, he was walking down a familiar hallway that housed paintings and vases from places he could not recall. As he examined each artifact, he determined that it all seemed more of a gallery in a museum than a home, really. It was partially why Wylan never appreciated living there. He preferred the tiny apartment he shared with Jesper that had leaks and cracks. It had character.

"So, what did you think?" Wylan looked to his left from where the voice came when he was staring at a painting of the Fjerdan Ice Court. It was similar to the one he mapped out. This must have been where I got the idea from.

"Of the deal?"

"What else?" Kaz walked over to where Wylan stood and stared at the same painting.

"It's risky."

"You haven't even heard the bulk of it."

"Do I need to?"

Kaz turned to Wylan with a stern expression that made the hairs on the back of his neck stand on end. It was frightening to consider being an enemy to this young merchant with the crow cane in his hand.

"There's a reason why you're here, and it isn't because your father decided to put aside your differences to make amends. I know your circumstances and because of them, I decided you might be a valuable asset."

"From what I could tell, you are all deciding to even out the playing field of all large military forces to the betterment of your greedy merchant pockets. Your ownership of most of the ports in Ketterdam, the investments my father makes in valuable resources, Inej's connections through several banking companies, and Nina's pull over Grisha along with Matthias' leadership over the druskel make it seem like a viable plan despite the discrepancies."

"So you were listening to the conversation."

"Wasn't I meant to?"

"What if I told you that's only a fraction of what is really going on?"

"I'd say you'll be attempting an invocation of war."

"Only, perhaps, with Jan Van Eck."

Wylan suddenly became very intrigued, but also worried. Whatever this boy was attempting, it couldn't be good. He was afraid to ask what this plan was, but he craved an answer. A war against Van Eck. Was it possible for such young merchants to attempt to take down such a big corporation and succeed? Was this truly what Kaz Brekker was suggesting?

"Your father is corrupt."

"What merchant isn't?"

"Our methods may be unruly and not very pleasing to the common man, but it is honest work amongst those of us who understand what we are betting. Unfortunately, Van Eck likes to take things a step further. I believe he's angered more than a handful of merchants who are as honest as they can be for our line of work."

"So where do I come into this?"

"The plan is still the same, all in all. But we'll be exposing Van Eck in the process and obtaining his assets, all of which, will be going to you."

"What do you mean?"

"None of the rest of us see much use in your father's business, aside from the fact that it makes many rich people happy. His trade keeps a lot of money flowing. To benefit the rest of us, we need to make sure it stays that way, but he's not getting more than his penny's worth. It's an unfair advantage Van Eck has."

"Why do you care?"

"We need that money flowing, not being pocketed along the way. He's damaging other businesses that are necessary to keep everything afloat. Believe it or not, merchants like us are necessary to the world economy."

"I don't deny that. But I do disagree with many of your methods."

"Greed bows down to me, Wylan. Remember that."

"And if I refuse to cooperate in your scheme?" Wylan asked as Kaz began to walk away, the muted thud of his cane on the carpet floor placing emphasis on the power he had in the room that Wylan wished to deny.

"It's a matter of whether you want to see your mother again or not."

"My mother's dead." Wylan always hated saying those words.

Without turning around, Kaz spoke in the gravelly voice that sent chills down Wylan's spine. Alluring and unnerving. "It'd be nice for you to invest in some locks on your window. It helps keep the demons out at night. I don't believe any man who owns a home is too poor for a latch."

And with that, Kaz wandered off to where ever the rest were likely lounging in the security of the Van Eck household.