Wylan
Wylan held on to Jesper, feeling him shake with sobs. he wanted to kill Pekka Rollins for doing this to Jesper. For making Jesper, brave, reckless, wild Jesper, cry. He rubbed his back, and he felt Jesper begin to stop shivering. They arrived at six harbour, everyone stepping out of the gondel. Kaz helped Wylan lever Jesper out, supporting him between them. They slowly walked towards the boat they had left there earlier. Jesper gasped as Wylan sat him down. His ribs were probably broken, and his arm didn't look to good. Wylan eyed the knife cuts that went up and down Jesper's arms. He had bruises, too, like he had been hit with a blunt object, probably a pipe. Wylan fought the urge to burst into tears himself. Inej, Kaz, Nina, and Anika began to row, taking them out of sixth harbour toward fifth, aiming to go past Eil Komedie to Hellgate. Jesper held onto him like he was drowning. Wylan saw Kaz looking at Jesper with something close to actual concern for someone else. Then he saw Wylan looking and glanced away. Wylan was frustrated. Why did he feel the need to keep hiding how much he cared?
"Why do Nina and Marli look weird?" Jesper asked confusedly.
"Nina tailored them so they wouldn't be recognized."
"Recognized where?"
"We went to a dance so we could find out where they were keeping you."
"You all went dancing? Without me?" Jesper sounded indignant.
Wylan smiled slightly, glad Jesper was getting back to normal, if you could call Jesper normal. "Sorry."
"You'll take me next time, though, right?"
"You got it."
"Can we have waffles?"
"All the waffles you want." Jesper gave him a small smile. Wylan smiled back. Their small boat landed on the gravelly shore of Hellgate. They climbed out of the boat, taking it to a small rocky outcropping and hiding it. The boat they had used to move everyone to Hellgate was hidden in a cave on the north side of the island. Kaz helped Wylan move Jesper into the old tower, leading him to a separate room where they could talk. Wylan sat Jesper down against the wall, curling up beside him. Nina examined his arm, and grimaced.
"Hold him still." She advised Wylan. "Kaz." Kaz came over, and grasped his other arm, holding him to the wall. Wylan, understanding what they were doing, held Jesper's shoulders. This was going to hurt. Nina felt along his arm, and the pulled, straightening it. Jesper howled. Wylan held him down as Nina took a piece of fabric out of her bag and folded it, making a sling. Wylan grimaced, trying to hold Jesper's shoulders. He was strong. Kaz put an arm around Jesper's chest, holding him still so that Nina could loop the sling under his arm and across his body, tying it at his neck. Jesper whimpered, and Wylan could feel his heart breaking.
Nina continued to bandage Jesper's various injuries, tying a bandage around his chest, which required Kaz and Wylan to hold him down again. By the time she was done, Jesper was panting, and Wylan was half on Kaz's lap. Surprisingly, Kaz didn't shove him away, just kept holding Jesper.
Nina slowly pulled Jesper to his feet, led him to a blanket, and sat him back down again. Kaz jabbed Wylan. "Get off, merchling." Wylan jumped up, and Kaz slowly tried to stand. He doubled over. "Damn it." He gasped. Wylan slowly reached out and offered the Bastard of the Barrel his hand. Kaz eyed him, and then, to Wylan's surprise, took it. Wylan him to his feet, Kaz stumbling slightly. "Thanks." He muttered.
Wylan nodded. Kaz must have been in serious pain to actually accept someones help. The others were all watching worriedly. "So what now?" Anika asked.
Kaz's eyes narrowed. "Now, we deal with Rollins and the other gangs."
