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The Grishaverse

"I won't betray my faith."
— Inej Ghafa


Inej Ghafa is a gang member who travels to Ravka along with Kaz and Jesper to capture the Sun Saint, though in doing so, Inej discovers that her beliefs contradict the mission.

Biography[]

Early Life and Coming to Kerch[]

Inej was captured by slavers. She was bought by Tante Heleen and indentured to a brothel in the Barrel, the Menagerie. Eventually, she was partially bought out by criminal prodigy Kaz Brekker, and became a member of his gang, the Crows.

Employed by Dreesen[]

Inej goes to Kaz with a lead on a job with a big payout of one million kruge from a wealthy merchant by the name of Dreesen. He is looking for a crew willing to cross the Shadow Fold into east Ravka and bring back something. He hasn't specified what exactly he needs, but he's taking meetings at midnight. Dressen also had someone brought in on a ship with a sack on his head. However, short of using her knives, Inej wasn't able to get inside of his residence given Dreesen's private security. Along with the Dreesen job, Inej has another lead from one of the girls at the Menagerie. They tell her things in hopes Kaz will buy them out, similar to how he's paying off Inej's indenture. There's one girl in particular named Kesh who has skills like Inej, but Kaz remarks that he only invests in the one of a kind and that no one is like Inej.

The Crows search for ways to safely cross the Fold, which was created centuries ago by a Shadow Summoner named the Black Heretic. A Sun Summoner would be needed to destroy the Fold. However, such a Grisha doesn't exist. At least not yet, Inej added. Jesper and Inej contemplate letting the job go, but Kaz is insistent on claiming the one million kruge. The Crows then intercept a letter from Dreesen for the owner of the Orchid saying that they require the services of a Heartrender before midnight. And this is how they intend to secure the job, by taking the Orchid's Heartrender, Milana. They approach Dreesen estate and demand exclusive rights to the job.

Dreesen leads the Crows into his cellar, where he has Alexei Stepanov restrained to a chair. Two weeks ago, Alexei crossed through the Fold during an expedition that was swarmed by volcra, but somehow the skiff made it out and Dreesen is interested in knowing the device that was used to light up the Fold and destroy the volcra. Some form of traumatic lapse is preventing Alexei from remembering the ordeal, which is why Milana is needed. She eases his heart rate and asks what happened in the Fold. Alexei reveals they were saved by Alina Starkov, the Sun Summoner. Dreesen then shoots Alexei and gives the Crows until dawn to prove that they have a way through the Fold and back.[1]

Indebted to the Menagerie[]

Inez weighs the risk in comparison to the reward in accepting Dreesen's job to cross the Fold. They only have until sunrise to devise a plan for safe passage, which concerns Inej. She reminds Kaz that she can't leave Ketterdam due to her contract with the Menagerie. Kaz insists that he has a plan, however, Inej can tell that he's scrambling. She pulls up her sleeve, showing him her tattoo from the Menagerie. She asks what's to happen of her should he find safe passage across the Fold. Kaz exclaims that maybe they leave Inez behind, which he immediately regrets and attempts to apologize for but Inej has disappeared by the time he rounds the corner.

Inej is called to the Menagerie by Tante Heleen, who has a job for her and reminds Inej that Kaz still owes five more installments before Inej is truly free of the Menagerie. Inej can't leave Ketterdam without Tante Heleen's permission. She writes down a man's name and address and tasks Inej with killing him. She claims that he's a slave trader who won't sell to her. Should she succeed, Inej will be freed of all debt to the Menagerie.

Inej approaches Jesper and asks for his help in killing a man, as she has yet to take another person's life. Just as he agrees to help, Kaz arrives and Inej disappears.

Inej sneaks into her target's home, knocks him unconscious, and rifles through his documents records of the children he sold to the brothels, but he insists that he's never sold indentures. The man reveals that she's a smuggler who liberates deserters and refugees fleeing the war. Inej isn't convinced and reveals that she was separated from her brother. He was 12 and she was 14 when four men took them from her parent's wagon. She came to Ketterdam on a labor ship but doesn't know what happened to him. The man offers to help but Inej can't identify her abductors. The man notices a Sankta Lizabeta necklace and pleads with her to spare him. Just as Inej is about to kill the man, Kaz tells her to stop, revealing that her target is actually the Conductor and that Heleen tricked Inej into sabotaging their mission. Assuming they pull this job off, Kaz assures Inej that she will be free and then hires the Conductor to get them to the Little Palace.[2]

Crossing into the Fold[]

The Crows and the Conductor travel to Novokribirsk to meet with Nina Zenik, who will help them sneak into the Little Palace. However, when Nina's been captured by Fjerdans, they're forced to reassess. Despite losing their way into the Little Palace, Kaz still intends on traveling across the Fold. Arken requires 20 pounds of alabaster coal, a peck of Majdaloun jurda, and a goat. They are to meet at nightfall at the wreckage of a skiff northeast of the edge of town.

While at the memorial wall checking for the names of her parents and brother, Inej is confronted by Kaz. She thought that if she saw their names then she could let them go. Inej's Sankta Lizabeta necklace is all that she had when she was sold to the Menagerie, and if it was worth anything, Heleen would've taken it. For Inej, it's a simple token of faith that her mother stitched. Kaz warns Inej that hope is dangerous and clouds her judgment.

Inej and Kaz convene with Arken on the edge of town near the skiff wreck but Jesper has yet to turn up. Arken takes them across a minefield to a train hidden within the Fold. Jesper comes running in their direction with an angry mob chasing after him, but they come to a stop as Jesper runs into a minefield. Jesper gambled away the money and was forced to steal the coal, though he only made off with 16 pounds worth. Arken sits each of them down and instructs them to remain still and not to shift their weight. On his arm, Inej notices at least ten scratch marks, each an indicator of a successful cross through the Fold.

Arken reveals that the tracks are not complete, though he's built slats on the car that rolled into place under the wheels and the turbines generate enough wind to push them to the eastern track as long as they don't shift their weight. However, the noise from the train attracts a volcra nest. Generally, he would outrun the volcra, but with Jesper only bringing 16 of the 20 pounds of required coal, that won't be possible. When Jesper begins to panic, Arken tells him to grab the goat for comfort. Having gained a bit of composure, Jesper begins firing at the volcra on the car with remarkable accuracy, buying them enough time to make it out the Fold.[3]

The Kribirsk Archives Break In[]

Inej, Kaz, Jesper, and Arken grab drinks in a bar in Kribirsk. Three days away from the Little Palace, the next play is finding a way inside. Fortunately, the Kribirsk archives House the Little Palace blueprints, but they're kept under lock and key, so they'll have to break in.

Two hours after sunset, once Jesper turns the lights out, Inej sneaks in through the dome on the roof directly above the repository, sliding down using a rope. She follows the trail of phosphorus directly to the blueprints and makes a copy. Unfortunately, the guards turn the valve back on and make their runs through the repository, preventing Inej from leaving the way she got in. Once the coast is clear, Jesper shoots the locking mechanism on the door as the clock tower rings, allowing Inej to escape without incident.

The Crows return to the bar after successfully recovering the blueprints, where Arken has found them transportation to the Little Palace. He introduces them to Marko, the leader of the traveling troupe known as the Pomdrakon Players, who have been invited to perform at the winter fete. After his star performer is injured due to Arken's tampering, Inej and Jesper impress Marko with their acrobatic and shooting skills respectively, guaranteeing them transportation along with Marko's troupe to the Little Palace.[4]

Abducting Sankta Alina[]

Inej, Jesper, and Arken arrive at the Little Palace as part of Marko's traveling troupe, whereas Kaz sneaks in disguised as a guard. Kaz shares his findings of the door-less fitting room with a Grisha lock. Fortunately, the locking mechanisms are Fabrikator-designed and can be opened with a lodestone, which Arken just so happens to have in his possession. Since Arken is the only one of them familiar with Grisha locks, Kaz says that Arken will grab Alina. The rest of them will be setting up a lynx flush. Inej explains that lynx are pack hunters who are very smart. They'll clear a path for the prey. In this case, Kaz, Jesper, and Inej, are the lynx who will clear the path.

Inej and Kaz enter the ballroom and witness as Alina invoked her sun summoning abilities, bringing light to the entire room, much to Inej's amazement. After Arken is captured by guards, Kaz reveals that the lynx flush was to smoke out Arken as punishment for conspiring with Zlatan in Novokribirsk to kill Alina rather than capture her. Inej and Kaz attempt to escort Alina out, but the Darkling intervenes and escorts her himself. Kaz and Inez then split up after noticing that they're being trailed by an Inferni.

Kaz is followed into the chapel by the Inferni soldier and a fight ensues. Kaz crushes his hand, but the Inferni still manages to summon fire, which Kaz is defenseless against. Inej comes to his rescue and kills the Inferni, lodging a single blade in the back of his skull—her first kill, which doesn't come easy to her. With more guards approaching, she is forced to leave her blade behind.

Inej and Kaz regroup with Jesper outside and inform him that they lost track of the Sun Summoner, but he merrily informs them that he has her trapped in the back of their trunk.[5]

The Crows arrive In Ryevost with Alina in the trunk. They explain to her that they can provide safe passage across the Fold, but Alina would rather travel alone, refusing to be anyone else's captive. When Kaz attempts to stop her from leaving, she blinds him and Jesper, though Inej is fast enough to conceal her eyes. With her having such a great deal of respect for the Sun Summoner, she allows for Alina to flee.

Kaz questions why Inej allowed for the target to get away. Inej explains that they were hired to pick up a fake, not nab a living Saint. However, Kaz isn't convinced that she is an actual Sun Summoner. He believes that what they witnessed was nothing more than tricks and illusions. He warns Inej that they can't work effectively as a crew if she's making decisions based on religious zeal. Kaz' is due to the fact that if they don't return with Alina then Heleen will get the Crow Club.

Having wasted enough time searching for Alina, Kaz starts to contemplate their return to Ketterdam when the alarm in their wagon goes off. The Crows flee in different directions, agreeing to meet up later. Inej battles with the Inferni twin sister of the man she killed back at the Little Palace. Inej is injured during the battle, but she ultimately manages to defeat the Inferni, stabbing her in the abdomen with a knife. Initially, Inej offers her a chance at survival, telling the Inferni to keep the blade in until a Healer is nearby or else she will bleed out in 30 seconds. When the Inferni says that she will kill everyone that Inej has ever loved, Inej removes the blade herself. Inej then reconvenes with her comrades and steal the Darkling's carriage.[6]

Returning to Ketterdam[]

Between their dwindling funds, lack of time, and conflicting interests, Kaz decides it's best to cut their losses and return to Ketterdam. In the meantime, Inej stitches up her wound, an ability that she learned at the Menagerie, which she refuses to go back to, though she would have to should they return to Ketterdam empty-handed. Jesper contemplates telling Inez to trust Kaz and that he'd never let her go back, but he realizes that he doesn't have the right to tell her what she should do with her shot at freedom.

Inej joins Kaz by the fire with his cane and reveals that she's leaving. He admits that she was right about the Sun Summoner being real, though he still doesn't think she's a Saint, merely a Grisha with a unique ability. If not Saints, Inej asks what Kaz believes in. He replies that he believes in himself and his crows, including her and Jesper. Crows don't just remember the face of the people who wronged them. They also remember those who are kind. No Saint has ever watched over Kaz, not like Inez has, he admits. When Inej says that she can't go back to the Menagerie, he assures her that she won't.

Inej, Kaz, and Jesper return to the site of Arken's train but it has been discovered by a couple of soldiers. Kaz believes he can steer the train despite the fact that Arken's system was complicated and the ride was chaotic. Suddenly, the train explodes from an alarm Arken installed. So the Crows devise a new plan to sneak onto the skiff which is scheduled to cross the Fold tomorrow. They ambush a Dignitary from the winter fete and his guards before stealing their clothes and their transport papers and the skiff. "No mourners," Kaz says. "No funerals," Inej replies.[7]

The Crows seek refuge under a deck, where they assess their options. Kaz has decided to wait for whatever it is that the General has planned, and though he may not have figured out the Darkling's exact plan, Kaz is certain he intends to attack Novokribirsk, as the look on the General's face is that of someone consumed with revenge. Inej then discovers Mal hidden below the deck as well. She holds a knife to his throat and takes his pistol. When Mal reveals that he's aboard to kill the General and save Alina, Kaz orders Inej to return Mal's gun, as they are seemingly on the same mission.

General Kirigan expands the Fold and consumes a small portion of Novokribirs. Inej and Mal decide to make their move and head up top to stop the Darkling. Mal charges for the Darkling while Inej fights one of his Heartrenders. Inej is stopped in her tracks as he slows her heart. Fortunately, Zoya intervenes, saving Inej, who then proceeds to throw one of her knives into the chest of the Darkling after Jesper and Kaz narrowly avoid being cut in half by the Cut. However, Inej's blade does little harm, only angering the Darkling, who then proceeds to engulf their end of the ship in darkness, making them vulnerable to the volcra. As Inej and Kaz fight off the volcra, Alina regains full control of her abilities and calls on the light while Mal and General Kirigan fight on the ground below, where the Darkling is then ripped apart by the volcra. Mal returns to the ship. Alina awakens in his grasps before sending lights throughout the Fold.

The Crows, Alina, Mal, and Zoya gather in a clearing after escaping the Fold. Inej offers her hand to Alina. Alina replies that she likes that hand with a dagger in it and gifts Inej with a new knife, which she will call "Sankta Alina." She then pays Kaz off with royal jewelry in exchange for his silence about her whereabouts. Inej recalls Kaz berating her for letting Alina go, but he's now doing just that. Kaz explains that he's keeping his promise to Inej. He swore that she wouldn't go back to the Menagerie, and one of the gemstones from Alina will cover her debt. Inej contemplates joining Alina, but Kaz wants her to stay with him. Inej agrees to return to Ketterdam only to see the look on Helen's face when they pay her debt in full. She's not sure what will follow after.

Inej, Kaz, and Jesper board a ship headed for home. Kaz plots their next move. Both Dreesen and Pekka Rollins will be after their heads when they return. Just like with how their initial plan started, they'll need a Heartrender.[8]

Framed for murder[]

Inej, Kaz, and Jesper return to Ketterdam, where they discover that the Crow Club has been purchased by Pekka Rollins and that they've been framed for Tante Heleen's murder. Inej manages to escape and learns that not only were they accused of murder, but that they were set up by Pekka, who also now owns the Menagerie, and therefore Inej. Kaz then reveals that Alina is in danger and offers Inej an opportunity to leave and protect her, but Inej is still indentured and even if that weren't the case, she refuses to leave Kaz, who now requires a Heartrender for what comes next. And as luck would have it, Inej so happens to cross paths with Nina, who enlists in their help as well.[9]

While waiting for the others, Inej reports to Jesper that a Constable was shot with his own gun, which they were also framed for, likely by Pekka, who Kaz wishes to take further action against by breaking into his accountant's office and tracking his private schedule. Whilst Kaz breaks inside, Inej plays look out from the roof, where she is attacked by Pekka's hired hand, who proves to be a worthy adversary, nearly beating Inej in combat until he becomes distracted by gunfire, which allows Inej to gain the upper hand.[10]

Killing Mogens[]

Inej has been doing recon and has discovered that Pekka's assassin is a taxidermist named Mogens. She has his address and plans to attack him before he can track her down and take her back to the Menagerie. Kaz is gambling with their lives, and it has become clear that his feud with Pekka extends beyond just the Crow Club. Before pursuing his vendetta any further, Inej demands answers, with Kaz revealing that Pekka killed his brother. While helping Inej clean her wounds, Kaz advises her to look for any weaknesses or tells in Mogens' combat, which allows her to kill Mogens during their second encounter at his home address.[11]

The Crows have devised a plan to hit all of Pekka's businesses with a compound meant to mimic firepox in an effort to destroy Pekka's reputation and profit. Inej covers fifth harbor, where she douses the ship with the compound before discovering trafficked indentures in the lower deck. She kills the guard and frees the women, diverting from their original plan, which was for Inej to convene with the others at the Emerald Palace. After getting the women to safety, she returns to Black Veil, where Kaz scolds her for being unable to stick to the mission and kicks her out of the Crows, also handing Inej the deed to her indentured servitude.[12]

Finding the Neshyenyer[]

The Crows are enlisted by Prince Nikolai, who would like for them to retrieve the Neshyenyer blade and deliver it to Alina in East Ravka. Successfully do so, and the Prince will pay whatever fee they desire. Kaz declares that Inej won't be joining them, but Jesper informs her nonetheless, with Inej deciding to tag along despite Kaz's disapproval. After arriving in Shu Han, Inej watches from above as Kaz and Nina interact with Ohval Saran, The Disciple's assistant. When she claims to have no knowledge of the Neshyenyer and flees, Inej is supposed to follow her, but instead, she checks in on Kaz, who suffers another episode after making psychical contact with Nina. Fortunately, she still manages to track Ohval to her home, which the Crows break into whilst she's away. However, they walk into a trap and are poisoned, which causes each of them to hallucinate.[13]

As a direct result of being poisoned, Inej hallucinates an intimate setting with Kaz, who pleads with her to stay. Just as it seems they're about to kiss, she realizes that none of it is real and wakes up to find Wylan waiting just outside the door. Inej explains that they've been poisoned, with Wylan coming through with an antidote to save the rest of the crew. Whilst Kaz continues to search the house, the rest of the crew hold off Ohval, who nearly kills them until Kaz arrives with her husband, The Disciple, and he reveals that Ohval made the Neshyenyer. From her, they retrieve the blade and head to East Ravka.[14]

Inej arrives at the fort with the Neshyenyer just in time to kill a nichevo'ya as it attempts to haul Alina away. The three of them then board one of Sturmhond's flying ships and head to the center of the Fold, where Inej holds off the nichevo'ya as Alina uses her three amplifiers to destroy the Fold.[15]

After Alina successfully destroys the Fold, Inej uses the Neshyenyer to kill the remaining nichevo'ya. She then heads to the chapel, where Kaz reveals that he's been searching for her family and gives her the names of the auctioneers he's been looking into. Just as Inej is about to leave, he grabs her wrist and asks her to stay with him, but she can't bring herself to stay if he's not willing to give all of himself to her. Instead, Inej boards the Volkvolny, set out to find her family and free the enslaved.[16]

Personality and traits[]

Much like her trilogy counter-part, Inej is morally unwavering. She believes that killing, especially unjustly, is reprehensible. However, she is willing to do so in self-defense or in defense of her loved ones, such as Kaz, as seen when she killed the Inferni twins. She is also quite religious and very much so a traditionalist, instilling her faith in the Saints.

Physical description[]

Inej is a young Suli girl with brown skin, black hair that she often wears in a long ponytail, and brown eyes.

Skills and abilities[]

Inej is an expert knifeman with great throwing accuracy who is highly skilled in melee combat. Prior to becoming such a skilled fighter, Inej was an acrobatic performer along with her family, which in turn allows her to move so stealthy and remain undetected.

Equipment[]

Knives[]

Inej's knife (Netflix)

Inej's carries 14 knives hidden on her clothes.[17]

Relationships[]

Kaz Brekker[]

Inej is extremely close with Kaz. If no one else, she's the one person he will tell his most kept secrets and plans. Despite his lack of emotion, he does admittedly care for her. The two first met at the Menagerie when Kaz offered to pay off her indenture in order to have Inej come work for him at the Crow Club.

Jesper Fahey[]

Inej has a far less strenuous relationship with Jesper, who is more outgoing and vocal. His sense of humor and kind heart led them to become good friends over the years. According to Jesper, despite Inej's reluctance to kill, he trusts her with his life, as she has saved him in many instances.

Nina Zenik[]

When Inej was cornered by Dime Lions, Nina used her abilities as a Heartrender to come to her aid. Inej admits that it was “impressive and illegal”. Much like their book counterparts, Nina and Inej have a good friendship and consider each other loyal allies.

Appearances[]

Season 1[]

Season 2[]

Gallery[]

See more here

Trivia[]

  • The introduction of Inej's brother who was also taken by slavers is exclusive to the Netflix adaptation. In the Six of Crows Duology, the closest relatives she is said to have besides her parents are her cousins, none of whom were said to have been taken with her into slavery.

References[]

  1. Season 1, Episode 1: A Searing Burst of Light
  2. Season 1, Episode 2: We're All Someone's Monster
  3. Season 1, Episode 3: The Making at the Heart of the World
  4. Season 1, Episode 4: Otkazat'sya
  5. Season 1, Episode 5: Show Me Who You Are
  6. Season 1, Episode 6: The Heart is an Arrow
  7. Season 1, Episode 7: The Unsea
  8. Season 1, Episode 8: No Mourners
  9. Season 2, Episode 1: No Shelter but Me
  10. Season 2, Episode 2: Rusalye
  11. Season 2, Episode 3: Like Calls to Like
  12. Season 2, Episode 4: Every Monstrous Thing
  13. Season 2, Episode 5: Yuyeh Sesh (Despise Your Heart)
  14. Season 2, Episode 6: Ni Weh Sesh (I Have No Heart)
  15. Season 2, Episode 7: Meet You in the Meadow
  16. Season 2, Episode 8: No Funerals
  17. https://twitter.com/amitasuman_/status/1354481014979092487
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