Arken Visser, also known as The Conductor, was a smuggler who transported people through the Fold with the use of a train.
Biography[]
At some point, he came into possession of a train and tracks that cross the Fold, though the tracks were not completed.
Kaz Brekker sought Arken out, and managed to get there in time to prevent Inej Ghafa from murdering him (as Tante Heleen requested). Kaz convinces Arken to allow them passage on his train, and Arken ends up agreeing.
Before they left for the Fold, Arken sent Kaz to get a goat and Jesper to get coal, and was seen talking to General Zlatan, who he made a deal with. Zlatan requested him to kill Alina Starkov before she was able to take down the Shadow Fold.
When going through the Fold, Arken was concerned about the fact that Jesper had not bought the amount of coal he had requested, worrying they wouldn't be able to make it all the way out of the fold. Fortunately, they did, even managing to survive an encounter with the volcra, due to Jesper's sharpshooting skills.
After arriving in East Ravka, Kaz and his crew make up a plan to sneak into the royal archives in Kribirsk to take the map of the Little Palace in order to find entrances into the building. The plan goes successfully, and Arken leaves with the rest of the group.
When the Crows realize that there are no safe entrances into the place, he reveals that he has that covered, after sabotaging a performer and earning them a spot to perform at the winter fete.
Upon arriving at the Little Palace, they make a plan, Arken to retrieve the Sun Summoner and the others to provide cover to escape safely. When Inej, Kaz, and Jesper slip into their disguise and begin safekeeping, Arken sneaks into the fitting room to complete his deal with General Zlatan. It is here where his true intentions are revealed, attacking Marie (who is tailored as Alina) and slitting her throat, Genya barges in and attempts to subdue him, but Arken panics and shoots her. He attempts to run away, but is caught by the Palace Guards.
After the Darkling interrogates him, he's subsequently swallowed up by the darkness and killed.
Personality and traits[]
Arken was shown to be able to make alliances with important figures. He was duplicitous and manipulative, as seen in his interrogation scene with General Kirigan. He was willing to lie about anything and betray anyone to save his own skin, and thus could be seen as a coward.
Physical description[]
Arken Visser was an adult male of, apparently, mixed ancestry. He had black hair, brown eyes, and often wore a dark gray bowler hat, along with thin silver glasses.
Appearances[]
Season 1[]
- We're All Someone's Monster
- The Making at the Heart of the World
- Otkazat'sya
- Show Me Who You Are
- The Heart is an Arrow
Season 2[]
- No Shelter but Me (mentioned only)
Gallery[]
Trivia[]
- Arken is an original character created for the Shadow and Bone TV series, and does not appear in any of the books.