Sainkta Feliks heart
Kaz looked himself over in the mirror, straightening his tie smoothing over his vest. The sunlight into the bathroom giving him the lighting he needed. He now owned a bathtub he never got over bathing in the sink, time was precious.
He took out his watch and left his apartment on the top floor of the crow's club. He hated Pekka Rollins with every fiber of his being, but the guy had the right idea of having his office above the casino.
"The Volkvolny was spotted, moving past smuggler's island Sturmhond should be here shortly." Annika provided the report, she had dark blond hair and had part of her hair shaved. Kaz nodded and went back into his suite.
He had his gang keep a look out for Sturmhond's ship prepared for when he would arrive. Inside his apartment he had four rooms and a huge closet with seven locks he opened with a different key. He walked down at a leisurely pace as he had each step designed to withhold himself and his cane. At the end of the stairs two guards were stationed.
Maya greeted him at the entrance of the casino, at Kaz's request he was not sure when Sturmhond would arrive, so she hung out at the entrance for when the time came. she was five foot eleven with bleach blond hair. Her eyes were unusual as she had both blue and green irises. Maya felt anticipation course through her for what Kaz had planned. Kaz wanted her to take any information that Sturmhond and Genya what they had planned to speak to Kaz about ahead about of time so that he may be better prepared for what they were asking of him. No one was a better thief than Kaz, but he entrusted Maya to perform this task, all she asked of him was that they move slowly so she can prepare to execute the exchange of papers without being detected.
Kaz walked through the doors Maya close behind him as he left the casino and went to the direction of the docks to meet up with Sturmhond. He made it to fifth harbor in time to see Genya and Sturmhond depart making their way to him. Maya was nowhere in sight. Kaz noted Genya's handbag reached her thigh as he offered her his leather gloved hand than Sturmhond. "How was your trip?" Kaz asked they made their way down East Stave. "The trip was pleasant. I am more surprised you're here." Sturmhond said. Kaz gave a rare smile as he walked with them. He leaned more on his cane than necessary.
"Is your leg bothering you?" Genya asked a bit concerned at their slow pace. "It's unique to have this kind of weather here in Ketterdam I thought today was a pleasant day for a walk." Kaz spoke. They made their way past food vendors and store owners yelling out their doors for customers to flock in.
The further they got into East Stave the more crowded the street became. They were jostled by a huge crowd that went by as they made their way to the crow club. He heard Genya gasp as she caught sight of his casino. He turned to her and gave her a side smile. "Like what I did with the place?" He asked as he led them under one the wings of the bird. His doormen stood straighter as he led them through the private entrance.
"Oh, thank god Kaz, I'm sorry for interrupting your meeting but this is important." Kaz's demeanor changed as he faced the person who interrupted them. He frowned deeply and glanced around spotting a woman a few feet from them. "Show Ms. Genya and Mr. Sturmhond to the conference room would you Maya while I deal with this matter."
Maya answered in the affirmative stepping forward to greet them. "Ms. Genya and Mr. Sturmhond please follow me, and I apologize for the delay." Genya and Sturmhond followed Maya. "What an interesting accent," Sturmhond noted. "Where do you come from?" He asked conversationally as she walked with them. "America." She replied. "Such a long way from home."
"Ketterdam is my home." She answered airily opening a door to a medium-sized room with beautiful paintings and a wooden table. "Would you like me to get you something a glass of water perhaps?" She queried. "No, we are fine I would like to speak to you if you do in fact come from America."
"Why is that?" Maya asked curiously." Genya watched Maya's face at the question, but her facial expression did not change, Maya glanced at Genya, and she quickly found a seat at the table and sat down. "Such a new country, I'm afraid we do not have much news."
"I've been away for some time so my news would be sorely dated." Sturmhond looked disappointed. Maya was relieved of answering more questions as Kaz showed up. "I hope Maya has been kind to you," Kaz rasped. Maya took a step back as he entered. "She is a gracious host," Sturmhond replied. "Why don't you join us, Maya," Kaz inquired as though just producing the idea.
If Maya was surprised at being asked, she did not register on her face. She sat at the other end of them while Kaz sat beside her. The table was big enough Kaz, and Maya did not sit close together as Genya and Sturmhond had.
Kaz reached into his suit and placed paperwork on the table. Sturmhond saw that it was the paperwork that he and Genya put together. Startled Genya poked her hand in her bag and pulled out blank pieces of paper. "I had a chance to read the information you provided while Maya was entertaining you," Kaz rasped.
Sturmhond laughed without preamble. "You want us to go after a myth that may or may not exist?" Kaz asked. "The heart of Sainkta Felic's. I'm sure you read all the notes Sturmhond, and I worked so hard on." "The information is Impressive,". "You keep surpassing yourself Kaz, I've never met anyone dedicated to skipping out on business meetings." Kaz shrugged impassively. "They are a waste of time. The heart your after is a child's fairy tale." "One can say the same about the amplifiers to Sainkta Alina. The stag, the white dragon, and firebird all turned out to be very much real." Sturmhond said.
"How do you suppose a heart from centuries ago could keep beating after hundreds of years? Zoya's power to summon lightning was impressive enough, but a Grisha with that sort of power would be at the little palace, no?" Kaz resumed.
"You have to remember before General Kirigin there was no little palace. There was only Grisha who had power and had to hide their powers. Hearts could also survive up to six hours outside of their bodies, so it is not outside the realm of possibilities that Sainkt Felic's heart is out there. Whoever has his heart now, would have made it point to keep in hiding and doing very well."
"So, whoever has had it for possibly hundreds of years." Kaz continued. "Which is why I am willing to part with a hefty sum if you were to agree to such venture." Sturmhond said. "Let us say eight million Kruge." "That's too little I need to find a ship and a crew together." Kaz countered.
"I thought Inej would..." Sturmhond started but Maya spoke up interrupting him. "Inej is not here and in any case, your assumption is off basis. She goes after slavers she no longer procures information for Kaz, and I find it an insult that you would presume to use resources that Kaz himself has yet to determine." She spoke as sharp as a whip.
"I couldn't have said it better myself," Kaz replied in agreement with Maya. "You're going to have to do better than eight," Kaz bargained his finger tightening on his crow's head.
"I will go as high as nine-point five." Sturmhond spoke definitively. "I say ten." Interjected Maya. "For the insult." He observed Kaz, but his impression was impassive. "The deal is the deal." Sturmhond agreed shaking hands first with Kaz than Maya.
"Now what is said next is for Kaz's ears only." Sturmhond declared looking at kaz. Maya stood, looking to Kaz for confirmation he waved a hand at her in dismissal.
"what is it?" Kaz asked. Sturmhond waited until he heard the descending steps indicating she was not ease dropping
"check that she is not here." He said to Genya. Kaz looked momentarily confused as Genya checked the door opening it slightly and peeled out. "shes gone." Genya confirmed. "what is this about?" Kaz asked as Genya retook her seat next to sturmhond.
"you hired an American?" sturmhond asked incredulously. "she is my employee I don't see how her race has any bearing on the situation." Kaz said sternly. "she was able to take papers out of Genya's bag without anyone noticing. Kaz had to admit even he who knew what her plan was didn't notice her not out loud of course. "I asked her too, she was working under my command. I find it insulting that you think she would eavesdrop." He added.
"America is a land full of resources. Resources that countries would kill for and yet her country remains free of invasion. Their money worth thrice of ketterdams and twice worth Ravka " The money that Kaz took from the two men that brought Maya here and what he took from her was worth well over what he gave to Jesper and a bill fold of each was kept so that he could use as examples to make sure the money was legit. He hated turning away people who wanted to gamble.
"what does this have to do with Maya?" Kaz demanded. "I think she's a Grisha." Kaz would of laughed if Sturmhond didn'look serious and beside him Genya didn't look amused either.
"Have you noticed anything unusual? We have been trying to figure out what powers Americans have that protects them."
Kaz simply lifted a shoulder. "it is true that she moves unusually quick, observes her environment with a detail I can only dream of and speaks candidly which is why I chose her to help in negotiations I couldn't tell you how she does it."
Kaz said dismissively. Soon after the meeting ended.
Kaz relayed the story of the meeting to Jesper who laughed. "Who knew insults cost half a million kruge. It's a profitable thing she's on your side Kaz you probably insulted half of Ketterdam." "Wylan did too efficient of a job teaching her Kerch." Wylan protested. "She was an apt student and if it was up to me, she would be at the university studying instead of bearing your gang sign." On Maya's right forearm she had the tattoo of the crow drinking out of a mostly empty cup.
"She made a choice." Kaz reminded him. Wylan was going to say something else, but Jesper stopped him. "She did make a choice even if you don't agree with it." Jesper spoke.
"What's your take on this Sainkt Feliks heart?" Jesper continued. "Sainkt Feliks could keep his agriculture going despite harsh weathers. Sturmhond believes that it was moved several times after to prevent it from being discovered so whoever is keeping it alive has it set up so that it is mobile."
"His paperwork provides many possible migration movements however there is no way to track the heart. The hardest part is that during the peak of harvesting there is no way to know who did it by actual farming or using magic."
"So, you figuring to go in wintertime." Wylan surmised; Winter was a few months away. "I also want you and Jesper to come along." Wylan and Jesper shared a glance. "My mother." Wylan pointed out. "You have many people who can look after her."
"I also have a business to run..." Wylan said. "Businessmen take trips. Find someone to scrutinize it in your absence I'm sure you have someone you trust by now. I don't like excuses Wylan if you don't want to go just say so."
"I've enough money as do you I don't get the reason to go on another trip that would put our lives at risk." Kaz furrowed his at brows at Jesper who responded with a shrug. "We don't need to make any decisions as of this moment," Jesper said firmly.
"he's not here to ask you to go on a .mission he knows you'll say yes and that I would go with you." Wylan pointed out to Jesper.
"what are you here for?" Wylan questioned. "information on Maya." Kaz confessed. Wylan and Jesper shared a look. "what?" Kaz asked.
"she does get along with my mom." Wylan said. "is that the best you have?" Kaz asked.
"it took years for his mother to start recognizing me. Not only that but she helped marya through some things." Jesper explained.
"has she displayed Grisha abilities? Kaz asked. Jesper laughed. "Well she definitely is not a fabricator she has to make outfits by hand." "im not joking Jesper I'm really asking." Kaz said miffed.
"I don't know if this helps any but I have noticed her zone out a couple of times, but no more than a minute. I was concerned about it because you can't exactly zone out at the wrong time if bullets are shot at you."
"that's all of it? Kaz inquired. Getting no further answers Kaz left.
Thank you to all my readers who enjoy my stories, I tried writing in the first person to emulate the great Leigh Bardugo but I found that writing in the third person is a trait I won't get over. Please accept my new form of the story as you had the last one and I am working on chapter two