Six of Crows, #1
Six of Crows
by Leigh Bardugo
Contents
Chapter 5: Kaz
Overview
Kaz moves through the Barrel, and his observations reveal both his growing power in Ketterdam and his private vendetta against Pekka Rollins, rooted in his childhood arrival with Jordie. The chapter shifts the Ice Court job from an abstract heist into a personal opportunity for Kaz to gain the wealth needed for revenge.
Kaz visits Nina Zenik at the House of the White Rose, confirms that jurda parem is a real threat to Grisha, and recruits her for the mission. The key turn comes when Kaz reveals the crew needs Matthias Helvar, making Nina’s past with the imprisoned Fjerdan central to the heist’s success.
Summary
Kaz walks through the Barrel toward the harbor, observing the gambling district and the Crow Club’s success. Passing Pekka Rollins’ Emerald Palace, Kaz lets his hatred sharpen his focus. He remembers arriving in Ketterdam as a boy with his older brother Jordie and thinks of his long revenge against Pekka as something to be built “brick by brick.”
Kaz reflects on how he weakens Pekka in small, practical ways: luring customers away, interfering with shipments, charging fees, and undercutting properties. The Ice Court job matters to Kaz not only because of the thirty million kruge, but because that money could bring Pekka’s ruin much closer.
Kaz continues into West Stave, where pleasure houses and masked tourists fill the canal district. The sight of Suli fortune-teller masks reminds Kaz of a past conversation with Inej about sacred symbols, fate, and her abduction into a Ketterdam pleasure house. Kaz passes the Menagerie, where Tante Heleen notices him with hostility, then enters the House of the White Rose.
Inside the White Rose, Kaz secretly observes Nina Zenik finishing a session with Van Aakster, a grieving mercher whose mood she has been easing through Grisha powers. After the client leaves, Kaz enters Nina’s room. Nina drops her serene professional act, complains about her costume kefta, eats ravenously, and discusses how she alters emotions but cannot control thoughts or erase grief.
Kaz asks Nina what she knows about jurda parem and shows her gold as proof of the drug’s effects. Kaz explains Bo Yul-Bayur, the drug’s addictive danger to Grisha, and the stolen Ravkan documents, while withholding some details of Van Eck’s offer. Nina argues that Bo Yul-Bayur should be killed, not rescued, because the drug is too dangerous.
Kaz reveals that Bo Yul-Bayur is held in the Ice Court and asks Nina to join the crew as a Corporalnik. Nina realizes Kaz also needs someone who knows the Ice Court and angrily understands that Kaz now intends to use Matthias Helvar, the imprisoned Fjerdan she has long begged Kaz to help. Kaz says Matthias’ freedom is now useful, and he believes leverage can make Matthias cooperate despite Nina’s insistence that Matthias is driven by honor and revenge.
Who Appears
- Kaz BrekkerDregs lieutenant; plans the Ice Court crew while nurturing revenge against Pekka Rollins.
- Nina ZenikGrisha Heartrender working at the White Rose; challenged to join Kaz’s mission.
- Matthias HelvarImprisoned Fjerdan whom Kaz wants to use for knowledge of the Ice Court.
- Pekka RollinsKaz’s hated rival; his Emerald Palace symbolizes the revenge Kaz wants to complete.
- JordieKaz’s dead older brother, remembered during Kaz’s thoughts about arriving in Ketterdam.
- InejRecalled in Kaz’s memory discussing Suli masks, fate, and her past in the Menagerie.
- Van AaksterGrieving mercher client whose mood Nina eases, giving Kaz a business opportunity.
- Tante HeleenMenagerie owner; sees Kaz on West Stave and signals hostility from afar.