Six of Crows, #2
Crooked Kingdom
by Leigh Bardugo
Contents
31. Wylan
Overview
Wylan reclaims his identity as Wylan Van Eck and commits himself to freeing Marya and resisting his father’s attempt to erase him. While hidden with Colm before the auction, Wylan receives unexpected affirmation about Jesper, strengthening Wylan’s sense of worth and connection to the crew.
That security collapses when Pekka’s Dime Lions find Wylan and deliver him to Jan Van Eck inside the Church of Barter. Van Eck’s interrogation and torture force Wylan to betray Kaz’s plans, creating a serious threat to the crew’s auction scheme just before it begins.
Summary
With the auction only hours away, Wylan washes his face and studies his restored features in the mirror. Seeing both his father’s eyes and his mother’s curls forces Wylan to confront who he is: not Johannus Rietveld, but Marya Hendriks’ son and Jan Van Eck’s unwanted heir. Wylan realizes that Van Eck tried to make Wylan vanish just as Van Eck made Marya vanish, and Wylan resolves not to hide anymore because Wylan wants his father punished and his mother freed.
At dawn, Pim leads Wylan and Colm to a closed bakery near the Exchange, where Kaz has ordered the pair to remain hidden so Johannus Rietveld will never be seen again. Wylan watches the square and reflects on Van Eck’s motto of industry, integrity, and prosperity, judging that Van Eck achieved only two of the three. While they wait, Colm asks why Wylan lied for Jesper in the tomb, and the conversation turns into Colm’s admission that he made mistakes with Jesper while trying to protect him.
Wylan answers that Colm gave Jesper someone to run to, which matters more than the mistakes. Colm, recognizing Wylan’s kindness and steadiness, tells Wylan that Jesper is trouble but worth it, and that Wylan would be good for Jesper. The moment offers Wylan a rare feeling of approval and belonging, but the quiet is interrupted by a noise at the delivery entrance.
Wylan investigates and is suddenly seized by Dime Lions, gagged, hooded, and dragged from the bakery. The captors say Pekka Rollins has men searching the area for any move Kaz might make at the auction, and they take Wylan to the armaments chapel in the Church of Barter. There, Jan Van Eck arrives, learns Wylan was hidden nearby, and demands to know what Kaz Brekker is planning with the Ravkans.
Van Eck offers comfort and an allowance if Wylan betrays Kaz, then threatens to let Pekka’s people hurt Wylan if Wylan refuses. Wylan spits in Van Eck’s face and confronts him over Marya, but Van Eck orders the Dime Lions to torture Wylan for answers before the auction begins. Wylan tries to draw courage from every member of the crew and declares that Wylan will not talk, but after brutal blows break Wylan’s ribs and leave Wylan coughing blood, Wylan gives in and tells Van Eck everything.
Who Appears
- Wylan Van EckReclaims his identity, hides before the auction, is captured, tortured, and forced to reveal the plan.
- Jan Van EckWylan’s father; interrogates and threatens Wylan to learn Kaz’s scheme before the auction.
- Colm FaheyHides with Wylan and reflects on Jesper, giving Wylan unexpected approval and kindness.
- Dime Lion boyPekka’s deputized thug; helps capture Wylan and brutally beats him for information.
- Dime Lion girlPekka’s deputized thug; helps abduct Wylan and restrains him during Van Eck’s interrogation.
- PimLeads Wylan and Colm to the bakery hideout before leaving them under Kaz’s instructions.