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Jesper Fahey had had a few fleeting moments of curiosity about their new demo man since Kaz had made them rendezvous in his worn down excuse for a lab. A workshop , Kaz had said of their meeting place, but it was no more than a near empty warehouse with poor lighting, a few shelves, a table, a collection of seemingly unlabeled vials and bottles of strange colored liquids and a sad rumpled bed to the left side.
When the sharpshooter had entered, he had taken in his surroundings and called out “Hello? Anyone here?” as he descended the stairs, half expecting to be the last one to arrive like usual.
On the right side of the admittedly spacious room stood someone Jesper had not expected to find here at all. It wasn’t just because Jesper didn’t recognize him, but that he didn’t look like the kind of person you’d find in the lower ends of the Barrel. He wasn’t the most put together person– unkempt hair, poor posture, multiple layers of wrinkled clothes bordered by a grungy overcoat, and wild curious eyes– but there was something off about him. Something that made Jesper feel like he didn't belong here, like he’d simply fallen into the wrong story. A prince turned pauper , Jesper thought.
“Oh, hi,” The boy breathed out, “I wasn’t expecting you.”
There goes Kaz, never telling anyone the plan.
“And you are?” Jesper asked, hoping for the faintest clarification of what Kaz could possibly be scheming now.
“We’ve…” The boy didn’t finish his thought “uh.. Wylan”
Should I know him? The name sounded familiar, but not enough to satisfy Jesper’s confusion. Maybe Kaz had offhandedly mentioned him before? Jesper started messing with the contents of the table in hopes of keeping his annoyance in check.
“No, I mean why did Kaz have us meet here? ” It was dark and damp and awfully quiet despite the low bubbling of unknown chemicals in front of him.
“Oh. I guess, um, I’m your demolitions man.” Wylan offered.
“You?” Jesper couldn’t help the way his face scrunched up in skeptical judgment.
Him? He looked like he hadn’t eaten in days. He looked like he had skin so delicate it would bruise if you breathed on it too hard. He even had all his fingers. The respectable explosives experts in the Barrel seldom work with a full set.
“You’ve got all your fingers.” Jesper voiced his thoughts, making his opinion on the matter clear in his tone.
“Well,” Wylan was walking around the table now, “maybe I’m careful.”
“Careful is something you learn from losing your fingers.”
Wylan had reached out to grab the glass bottle from Jesper’s hands. Jesper gave him a once over before letting go. He was finally getting a good look at the novice up close, but there was still something about Wylan that bothered him. He couldn’t put a name to it, though.
Suddenly the door opened behind them, and Jesper caught a glimpse of Kaz.
He didn’t bother to greet Kaz, opting only to keep voicing his disapproval of the new addition to the team. “So this novice is telling me that he’s our new demo man. Raske is better. Or even Pim.”
Kaz moved halfway down the stairs, “And yet Wylan is the one I hired.”
Kaz looked particularly annoyed, and Jesper knew he wasn’t going to get more than that out of him. He spun on his heel to fire another question at the fresh faced newcomer, “Shouldn’t you be graduating university, and, I don’t know, starting a desk job?”
Yes, maybe that was it , Jesper decided. Maybe he had seen Wylan before in the university district… back when he was still making the effort to go to his classes. Jesper could see it, actually. If he were dressed up neater, Wylan could pass for someone who was meant for more than the shady business of Fifth Harbor.
Too bad he was currently wrapped up in the shady business of Fifth Harbor.
Inej entered with another woman in tow before Wylan could reply.
—
Jesper had kept quiet during the introduction of their new heartrender Nina, and had followed faithfully when Kaz had started walking away with no other direction than “follow me.”.
Inej was right. Kaz does this frequently. Though, if you’ve been by his side as long as Jesper or Inej have, you’d know when to pick your battles about daring to question him. Following was always easier than asking about it.
Kaz had led them to the balcony attached to the warehouse that overlooked a good portion of The Barrel. The view wasn’t half bad despite the gloomy haze that hung over the city.
Jesper couldn’t help but scan the other four people on the balcony beside him while Kaz still neglected to elaborate on why they were up there. Wylan had settled in on his immediate left and Jesper risked a side glance in his direction. He had to admit that Wylan had a particular doe-eyed charm to him.
And then the explosion happened.
“What was that?” Jesper’s voice quivered slightly, disbelief flooding his mind.
Surely it wasn’t–
“The Crow Club” Inej answered, confirming Jesper's worst fear.
What was Kaz playing at here?
Jesper let out a disappointed sigh, “I had some really nice hats in there.”
His expression turned from despair to disgust quickly upon the realization that while the Crow Club–his home–had just been destroyed, the most likely cause for it was standing next to him. Saints, the novice did that?
"Was that yours?" Was all Jesper managed to spit out.
Wylan swallowed hard. He stood in silence, making a point not to look at Jesper. Guilt? Fear? Frankly the smaller boy looked rattled.
Had Wylan known the bomb would be detonated where it was? In the middle of the bustling streets of Fifth Harbor?
Then again, why would Kaz even bother telling him?
Jesper had a million questions, and he felt like he'd never get answers.
Nina broke the silence "I take it we're now in the aftermath?"
—
Later that night, while Kaz continued to keep the group in the dark, Jesper's thoughts rounded back to figure out what was bothering him so much about Wylan.
The novice had awkwardly shuffled back into the workshop after their leader had dramatically stomped away. The group followed.
Kaz all but declared no one was leaving tonight, and thus they had to camp out in Wylan's space. It meant no game of cards and no bed.
We came back to Ketterdam for this? To be framed for murder and sleep on a stranger's floor?
Jesper was more annoyed than before.
After getting as close to settled as one could get on a cold concrete floor, Jesper's mind came alive with new questions and ideas to distract him. Something didn't add up.
If I had seen him before at the university, how would he have ended up here?
Jesper decided there were two ways this could go: either something happened to bring Wylan to the Barrel from a significantly nicer part of town, or he was wrong about seeing him there before. While the latter was more likely, it was the more annoying mystery to solve. He was back to square one.
Eventually, Jesper managed to fall asleep.
His inquiries were forgotten until the next morning. It was easy not to think about it while he was more concerned with how Kaz was avoiding him, but it was hard to ignore how the novice stared at him from across the booth in the diner they convened at. He had noticed the previous day that Wylan wasn't very good with eye contact while speaking, but now? It was like he was trying to stare through to Jesper's soul with his wide brown eyes
Seriously, should I know you?
—
Kaz had explained the plan enough to satisfy their questions, but he was hard in his decision when Jesper had complained to him about being with the novice. Jesper was growing more and more annoyed. He felt like he'd not only have to fight for himself should anything go wrong, but also protect the mousy little newcomer.
Less than ideal for a job with this high of stakes.
The Zemeni sharpshooter pushed the little wooden doors at the front of the carriage aside, sticking his head through the meager window. If he was stuck with the new kid he might as well try and stir up some conversation.
"A rat-catcher carriage?" Wylan sighed before Jesper could say anything, drawing out the words for emphasis "I thought you said you got this from a friend."
Jesper couldn't deny it wasn't the most luxurious choice, but it was inconspicuous enough. Wylan should be thankful he gets to sit in the driver's seat and not stand in the back.
"Friend-ish." Jesper clarified. "She did manage to remove the rats, so there's that."
Sometimes Jesper was thankful for his ex-flings when they came in handy for missions like this. Most wouldn't give him the time of day, if he remembered them at all to ask, but occasionally there would be one or two that was still swayed by his charms. Jesper personally thought his reputation was blown out of proportion– but the people of the Barrel do love to gossip.
Wylan declined to comment further, so Jesper thought of a new line of questioning. "How do you know Kaz?"
"I can't honestly say that I know Kaz." Wylan answered, scanning the street. "he asked me to make a few phosphorus bombs for him. I didn't want to."
"Why not?"
"Because I knew he'd use them for something like this."
Jesper looked to the side with a nod. It was a fair conclusion to come to, honestly. Getting involved with Kaz "Dirtyhands" Brekker was not something to be taken lightly.
Wylan looked at him suddenly, now more in Jesper's space than ever "Did it work?"
"Oh, it worked." Jesper chuckled, recalling the escapades of their previous mission in Ravka "Not many people can go up against general Kirigan and live to tell about it."
That raised another question for Jesper: How did someone get onto Kaz's radar long enough to only help him once, but also be really skilled with it?
Demolitions experts are made, they don't just pop up in the Barrel overnight. Or at least they shouldn't.
"Where'd he find you?" Jesper asked, curiosity piqued.
Wylan made a point to look to Jesper before looking back to the carriage in front of them, his expression unreadable. "I was apprenticing at the tannery… so I guess he knew I was good with chemicals."
The first part of Wylan's sentence sparked recognition within Jesper. Maybe that's it.
"Tannery? That sounds familiar." Jesper squinted in thought, trying to place a memory he wasn't sure he had. "Have we met before?"
Wylan didn't answer, and Jesper wasn't sure if he was going to until the mousy boy quickly notified him of the Stadwatch's presence. Jesper ducked back into the carriage until he was told it was clear.
Wylan sighed.
"Thank you." Jesper offered, looking away.
It was clear to Jesper that Wylan wasn't exactly thrilled to be here. Kaz had said earlier in the diner something about not being able to protect Wylan should anything happen to the crows… but Jesper hadn't really thought anything of it at the time. Now it seemed obvious– of course Wylan wasn't here for a fun outing, he'd simply had no other choice.
If Wylan couldn't get jobs from Kaz anymore there's no telling what he'd have to do instead to make ends meet. The Barrel would eat him alive if he were left to his own defenses.
"I know that you're not thrilled about being paired with me," Wylan broke the silence "but you should know that you can trust me."
Wylan was looking at Jesper now.
"To be clear," Jesper answered "I trust you 'cause Kaz trusts you."
"And you trust Kaz?"
The look on Wylan's face was daring. Why did he feel so bold as to question Jesper's relationships?
Jesper cocked his head and stared back at Wylan. He couldn't help it when the corners of his mouth lifted into a slight smile as soon as Wylan looked away. It was actually quite amusing how gutsy Wylan was being. If he talked back to Kaz like this he'd surely regret it.
"Listen, I'm not about to dissect my long-standing working relationship with Kaz Brekker with a total stranger."
What right did he have to know anyways?
Wylan's head whipped back so his gaze could meet Jesper's own again. It was clear he wanted to say something but no words came out. Jesper instead directed Wylan's attention back to the task at hand.
The sharpshooter had a distinct feeling he somehow hit a nerve with that comment.
–
Within minutes the pair had lost the driver they were tailing and walked right into an ambush. They left a trap for us, how fun.
The first shot was strategic–releasing their horse from the carriage so they couldn't make a break for it. While not aimed particularly at either of them yet, the shots still managed to paralyze Wylan in fear. Jesper pulled him through the front window of the carriage he had previously been leaning on before the men had a chance to shoot again.
More gunshots rang out and some snapped through the side of the carriage, narrowly missing them.
I'm gonna get an earful for bringing it back with bullet holes , Jesper thought while readying his own guns. The two men were pinned in place, but Jesper wasn't gonna go down without a fight.
A thought dawned on him while another shot rang out, barely missing him. Carriages like these usually have a trap door of sorts– they could be dropped out underneath if only he could find the lever.
Wylan dared not move as Jesper scrabbled around looking for it, unwilling to raise himself much higher off the floor in case their pursuers shot again. When Jesper finally found it, he pulled without warning Wylan.
The two dropped onto the slick cobblestone road gracelessly, Jesper hovering above Wylan and bracketing his head with his arms. Realization struck Jesper harder than the fall.
Wylan looked good under him. His big wide doe eyes and impossibly perfect skin looked too good under him. Too familiar.
"Wait…" Jesper managed, catching his breath "Wait, we have met before, haven't we?"
Wylan surveyed the street, surely frightened, before looking back at Jesper "yes, but–"
Gunshots rang out again, plinking aimlessly off the cobblestones near their heads.
"and you brought me stroopwafels!"
"You remember that now?! "
Jesper went to make a cocky comment, but more shots interrupted them. He should probably deal with that first, after all.
Jesper made a point to shush Wylan before heading out into the fray. His blood was on fire now, coming alive in a fight.
–
After the last shot rang out, Jesper groaned before pulling his hat from the back of the now thoroughly shot through carriage.
"How do we know the others aren't also in trouble?" Wylan's voice wavered slightly
"We can't."
Jesper huffed out another breath before lending Wylan a hand up off the ground.
Wylan seemed to shrink into himself further. Jesper had noted previously how small Wylan tried to keep his presence, which–to his defense–was a fairly common behavior to pick up in the Barrel.
Jesper found you either had enough of a reputation to roam the streets of Fifth Harbor unencumbered, or you made sure no one knew you enough to care about your presence. Wylan was distinctly on the latter end of the scale.
Jesper patted Wylan's shoulder "So it's Black Veil then?"
"The cemetery?"
Jesper stifled a laugh at that. He noticed Wylan had a distinctive defiant glint in his big brown eyes when they were speaking before, and yet he still acted like a spooked deer in the face of most of the danger.
He is still a novice after all.