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This would be the last day he'd be here. He promised himself that. Even the weather seemed to want him gone as the light drizzle came down, curling up his hair and making the cobblestones dangerous to walk on. His leg was not feeling too well already and slipping on these stones wasn't really on his to-do list today. Kaz' face looked grim while he kept walking forward. He had left Daniel somewhere in this city to get food as he wanted to do some jobs today, but the idiot was nowhere to be found. So Kaz just aimlessly roamed the city, feeling the stench of the sea getting in his clothes. God, he hated this godaweful town. If Daniel would hurry, they would be out of here in no time.
Kaz stopped at a balcony that looked down at the docks where multiple ships were docked. When had the last time been he was on a ship? It had to be years ago, when he made his run from the island to Fallen Skies. And even then, being on one would make him uncomfortable. How would that be now? Would he manage or would he simply be plagued with so many horrible memories he would just pass out? Kaz rather didn't think about it and instead focussed on different things. People walking up and down the docks, handing cargo, having chats, doing their normal, daily business. Would it be hard to steal a ship? The thought popped up in his head and Kaz quickly dismissed it. There was no way he was setting foot on any of those monsters. The sudden weight of a small creature on his shoulder got him out of his negative spiral of thoughts. He looked sideways to see Kruge staring at him. Kaz reached into his coat and handed the crow a small piece of dried meat, which the crow then happily devoured. Seeing how quickly the creature had eaten his food made Kaz' stomach growl. ''Me too buddy.'' He smiled weakly, shifting his attention from the crow to the docks down below, lost in thought once again.

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It wasn't long before he was pulled out of his thoughts. His crow noticed the woman frist, but when she spoke he turned around. Her face gave him the feeling he had seen her before, but not in the way that they had actually met. No, it was something else, but he couldn't pinpoint what. The fact that she approached him with a smile gave him the knowledge she most likely wanted something from him. She didn't look like she came out of a brothel, so it wasn't that. But the girl quickly made clear what exactly she was looking for. And Kaz wasn't having any of it.
Did he really look like he owned any of these ships? Didn't pirates around here used to have a parrot, where he had a crow? Confusion flashed in his eyes before hearing the words he wanted to hear. ''I'll pay.'' What was it he had thought earlier? That he would never, ever steal a ship? Well, maybe today was the day to defy his thoughts. Kaz turned his body towards her, leaning on his cane and looking up and down to examine her. She didn't really look like the type that had the money he would ask of her. But it was worth a try. ''How much have you got?'' He asked, playing along, pushing away the thoughts that if he managed to pull this off, he would be on that god awful sea again. ''And what would be your destination?'' Was his follow up question which seemed equally important toe what she could pay him. It was also important for him, to see if he could actually manage to stay alive that long while on a ship. Surely it would be more safe than a dead body.

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Her first offering didn't matter much to him. He was no trader, nor a pirate, so Daniel needed to shut up with that stupid nickname, so why would he trade with a place in this country that had almost nothing that he wanted. Nonetheless, Kaz nodded thoughtfully, as if he was weighing if it all would be worth it. He softly bit his lip, thinking about the fact that, if he took this job, he would be on a ship. On the sea. No way he would keep his cool then. And it needed to be trustworthy in order to get the gold. Plus, this woman, who seemed familiar to him but he couldn't pinpoint exactly what made him feel like that, looked like someone who would chop your head off in a matter of seconds if she didn't get what she wanted. Kaz nodded. ''I can get you as far as D'auvignon, from there on the ice gets too thick and it will be impossible to ensure a safe journey.'' He said, having exactly no idea if this was exactly true. But it could be, since it was winter and it was always colder in the winter. ''I can ensure you a crew, but I am not certain I can accompany you on the journey, knowning that there is still some business left in this town for me.'' He then said, weighing out the options. Would she want him to come with him so desperately or could he bail out on this one and leave it in the hands of someone he trusted?

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For a moment he wished he could his head against the brick wall nearest of him. Even Kruge looked at him as if he just made the most stupid mistake in his entire life. No. The worst mistake he had made was being born. Nothing could tip that. Kaz strengthened the grip on his cane, feeling the beak of the skull digging into his palm. This was a deal he couldn't miss and backing out now would be unwise, he would lose all the trust he had just gained. He nodded, appearing to be thinking deeply as if he was trying to plan ahead and looking for a way to skip this ''other business'' he had going. ''I can arrange something.'' He said after a few moments, hesitantly. He couldn't be too greedy, it would cast suspision. But now came the negotiation. He wanted to get the most profit out of this, hell, he was going to be on the sea, he needed that money.
''twofifty before, threehundred after we arrived.'' He said firmly, trying to push away the greed that tugged at his coat. When he would receive this money, he could stay off the radar for a very long time and maybe get his life in check. As if that would ever happen.

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Next time he would make sure he would think this through. No. There wouldn't be a next time. He wouldn't do this, ever again. He had always been so proud of himself for his plans and his back up plans and the fact that he always seemed to get away with everything, but now he had been stupid. If he could, he would have liked to run into a wall and bash his head hard enough that he could forget what he had done, but that might look a little weird.
Lexa.. the name rang a bell. But the bell didn't ring loud enough for him to remember who exactly she was. Yet, he nodded, smiled, albeit a bit uncomfortably, and straightened his shoulders. ''Consider it done.'' He spoke, reaching out his hand so she could shake his. ''The deal is the deal.'' The smile broadened and he turned around to walk away. A few days. It would be enough to fetch a ship and a crew. But would it be enough to prepare for the mental damage he was about to inflict on himself?

The answer remained unknown was Kaz worked day and night to arrange the things that needed to be done. Finding a ship wasn't the easiest thing, but he had found one a bit further away. It was small, but large enough to carry on such a journey and the crew had been easily bribed. Kaz wasn't sure who they worked for, but apparently they didn't get paid enough to resist his offer. That was done. The only thing that rested was the actual announcement they could leave. And he had been stalling for almost half a day now. This was getting ridiculous. Think about the money Kaz. You could get rich. But not rich enough, he would always want more. But for now, it would satisfy him.
After asking a few people about this 'Lexa', who he had discovered who she was and boy had he made a mistake, he was lead to the place she was staying at. The fact that he would be swindling the leader of Vanaheim was an oppertunity in a lifetime. And most likely also the last time he would do it because he would probably get a price on his head. One he could be proud of.
''If you're ready, so are we.'' he announced to her, mentally crossing his fingers that all would be well, he would not faint or die on that bloody ship and he would make it out alive.

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Kaz only nodded, afraid his voice would betray him and would blow this whole charade. He leaned on his cane and wasn't exactly getting looking on escorting her to the ship. No, they had made a deal and no matter if they were alone or she was surrounded by bodyguards or whatnot, Kaz would get what he wanted. ''We made a deal.'' He started, not letting his gaze break from hers.
He wasn't exactly that horrible that he would stretch out his hand to collect what he had asked for, but he was well on his way to be. ''Twofifty.'' He reminded her, his fingers softly tapping on the crow skull of the cane. He wouldn't budge until she payed. His life was on the line here. And procastinating instead of getting on a ship sounded much better than the other way around.