of one nation—” he began.
But Kuwei interrupted. “My father brought this drug into the world. Even without me, what I know, it will be made again.”
“You’re saying someone else is going to solve the riddle of parem ?” Matthias asked. Was there truly no hope this abomination could be contained?
“Sometimes scientific discoveries are like that,” said Wylan. “Once people know something is possible, the pace of new findings increases. After that, it’s like trying to get a swarm of hornets back into their nest.”
“Do you really think an antidote is possible?” Nina asked.
“I don’t know,” said Kuwei. “My father was a Fabrikator. I am just an Inferni.”
“You’re our chemist, Wylan,” said Nina hopefully. “What do you think?”
Wylan shrugged. “Maybe. Not all poisons have an antidote.”
Jesper snorted. “That’s why we call him Wylan Van Sunshine.”
“In Ravka, there are more talented Fabrikators,” Kuwei said. “They could help.”
Nina nodded emphatically. “It’s true. Genya Safin knows poisons like no one else, and David Kostyk developed all kinds of new weapons for King Nikolai.” She glanced at Matthias. “And other things too! Nice things. Very peaceable.”
Matthias shook his head. “This isn’t a decision to be made lightly.”
Kuwei’s jaw set. “I would prefer to go to Ravka.”
“See?” said Nina.
“No, I do not,” said Matthias. “We can’t just hand such a prize over to Ravka.”
“He’s a person, not a prize, and he wants to go.”
“Do we all get to do what we want now?” asked Jesper. “Because I have a list.”
There was a long, tense pause, then Kaz ran a gloved thumb over the crease of his trousers and said, “Nina, love, translate for me? I want to make sure Kuwei and I understand each other.”
“Kaz—” she said warningly.
Kaz shifted forward and rested his hands on his knees, a kind older brother offering some friendly advice. “I think it’s important that you understand the changes in your circumstances. Van Eck knows the first place you’d go for sanctuary would be Ravka, so any ship bound for its shores is going to be searched top to bottom. The only Tailors powerful enough to make you look like someone else are in Ravka, unless Nina wants to take another dose of parem .”
Matthias growled.
“Which is unlikely,” Kaz conceded. “Now, I assume you don’t want me to cart you back to Fjerda or the Shu Han?”
It was clear Nina had finished the translation when Kuwei yelped, “No!”
“Then your choices are Novyi Zem and the Southern Colonies, but the Kerch presence in the colonies is far lower. Also, the weather is better, if you’re partial to that kind of thing. You are a stolen painting, Kuwei. Too recognizable to sell on the open market, too valuable to leave lying around. You are worthless to me.”
“I’m not translating that,” Nina snapped.
“Then translate this: My sole concern is keeping you away from Jan Van Eck, and if you want me to start exploring more definite options, a bullet is a lot cheaper than putting you on a ship to the Southern Colonies.”
Nina did translate, though haltingly.
Kuwei responded in Shu. She hesitated. “He says you’re cruel.”
“I’m pragmatic. If I were cruel, I’d give him a eulogy instead of a conversation. So, Kuwei, you’ll go to the Southern Colonies, and when the heat has died down, you can find your way to Ravka or Matthias’ grandmother’s house for all I care.”
“Leave my grandmother out of this,” Matthias said.
Nina translated, and at last, Kuwei gave a stiff nod. Though Matthias had gotten his way, the dejection on Nina’s face left a hollow feeling in his chest.
Kaz checked his watch. “Now that we’re in agreement, you all know what your responsibilities are. There are a lot of things that can go wrong between now and tomorrow night, so talk through the plan and then talk through it again. We only have one shot at this.”
“Van Eck will set up a perimeter. He’ll have her heavily guarded,” said Matthias.
“That’s right. He has more guns, more men, and more resources. All we have is surprise, and we’re not going to squander it.”
A soft scraping sounded from outside. Instantly, they were on their feet and ready, even Kuwei.
But a moment later Rotty and Specht slipped into the tomb.
Matthias released a breath and returned his rifle to where he kept it, always within arm’s reach.
“What business?” asked Kaz.
“The Shu have set up at their embassy,” said Specht. “Everyone on the Lid is talking about it.”
“Numbers?”
“Forty, give or take,” said Rotty, kicking the mud from his boots. “Heavily armed, but still operating