A crow sat atop a dim lamp post, watching the crowd through the fog. The streets were crowded and noisy, but there was a distinct promise of food holding the crow to its perch. Ketterdam inhabitants learned from an early age not to mind the rain and fog. Clear days were rare and no one counted on them anymore. In fact, many counted on the fog and rain, used it for their advantage. It was easy to disappear in a labyrinthine city covered in mist. Easy to disappear, but hard to survive.
Two classes inhabited the city, the rich and the poor. There was no middle class. There was no middle ground. Trade was sacred, even worshiped, but thievery and trickery kept the city alive. No one knew this better than Kaz Brekker, better known to many as Dirtyhands, leader of the dregs.
Darkness was falling fast on the streets of Ketterdam, quickened by the dense skyline of buildings and thick cover of clouds. Kaz Brekker stood below the lamp post, leaning lightly on his crow-headed cane just out of reach of the light.
A lanky, fluid figure joined him below the lantern's oily light.
"You're late, Jesper." Kaz said.
"Surprised?" Jesper grinned. "Why not meet at the slat?" Kaz moved into an alley and Jesper followed him. "Kaz?"
"Did you do what I told you?" Kaz asked, his expression stony.
"Yeah. Are you going to tell me what it was about?" A silent question fell behind his words and drifted to the wet Ketterdam street.
"Not yet. Has Wylan made the deal yet?" Kaz's rough voice was subtly laced with a tone Jesper rarely heard and couldn't identify.
"No. I don't think so. He's planning to, though. You told him to."
"I was wrong."
Jesper's stance, tilted a moment ago, immediately straightened. "Excuse me?"
"I was wrong, Jes. I'm not going to say it again. Tell Wylan to get out of the deal as quickly and inconspicuously as possible."
"But we can put a foot in the door and hopefully the mouth and gut of the scientists making parem. We can get the information to Kewei and find an antidote." Jesper's hands rested on his pearl-handled revolvers at his hips. His fingers rubbed the handles absently.
"Don't argue with me. Just get Wylan out of the deal. Now." Kaz's tone only tightened.
"Why bring this to me? Why not go to the merchling yourself?"
"I don't pay you to ask questions."
"You gonna pay me to be your messenger?"
Jesper's back hit the brick behind him with a thud. Kaz's fist pressed heavily against his sternum, holding him in place and ensuring his attention. "Listen to me!"
"I am listening to you, Kaz." Jesper said calmly. "You're just not saying anything."
Kaz pulled away and Jesper relaxed, hands now gripping his guns. "I can't tell you everything now. I miscalculated. Wylan cannot get mixed up with these people."
"You showing concern for the boy now?" Jesper's grin returned in part.
"He's a very valuable asset." Kaz said.
"You protect your investments?" Jesper sighed.
"Will you do it?" Kaz asked, danger creeping into his voice again.
"Of course. I'm not gonna let the merchling walk into a trap. I protect my friends." Jesper's pointed look was met and held by Kaz's hard gaze.
"You and Wylan meet me here tomorrow night."
"Why not-"
"I said we're meeting here." Kaz repeated sharply.
Jesper wanted to argue, but he knew by now that the matter was closed. The best he could hope for was a polite farewell, but that seemed unlikely. He would have to wait for answers, no matter how uneasy that made him feel.
Kaz nodded once and drifted back onto the main street. Jesper noticed his limp was more pronounced.