House of Grilka

Kozak, the leader of of the House until 2371

Grilka, the leader of the House from 2371 onwards

The House of Kozak was a house of medium influence in the Klingon Empire, led by Kozak. The House of Kozak had been sworn enemies of the House of D'Ghor for seven generations. Rather than challenging Kozak's forces to battle, D'Ghor chose the dishonorable course of systematically undermining the House of Kozak's financial assets and territorial holdings, in a bid to seize Kozak's house.

In 2371, Kozak was killed in an accident in Quark's bar. Since he had no male heir, he left the House of Kozak without a leader. If the House of Kozak fell, D'Ghor would be able to make a claim to its titles and properties as the principal creditor to Kozak's debts. D'Ghor arrived on on Deep Space 9 and coerced Quark into claiming that he had defeated Kozak in honorable combat; otherwise, the Klingon High Council might have granted special dispensation for Kozak's wife, Grilka, to lead the house.

To thwart D'Ghor's plan, Grilka abducted Quark to Qo'noS and married him, thus performing the brek'tal ritual and giving Quark the right to lead her house. The High Council chose to consider the unprecedented leadership of a Klingon house by a Ferengi, and in the interim the House of Kozak became the "House of Quark".

Quark subsequently uncovered evidence of D'Ghor's financial machinations and presented the evidence to the High Council. D'Ghor contested the accusation and challenged Quark to personal combat. Quark answered the challenge, but he threw aside his bat'leth and dared D'Ghor to execute an unarmed Ferengi. D'Ghor nearly did so, but was stopped by Gowron, who saw this dishonorable act as convincing proof of Quark's accusations. The High Council gave Grilka dispensation to personally lead her house, and D'Ghor suffered a discommendation. Grilka immediately divorced Quark, and the House of Quark became the House of Grilka. (DS9: "The House of Quark")