The Making at the Heart of the World

Os Alta, East Ravka

MAJA HAVEL COULDN'T STAND THE LITTLE PALACE. They knew something was wrong long before she was forced into their gates, though at the time the why of it wasn't obvious. Now it was. The never ending schedules. The caste system they were forced into, where Maja herself was instantly devalued because she could create instead of destroy. Every moment of the entire day was planned out for them. And not even to their preference. Did they really believe Maja wanted to be forced into a lab to make weapons for them? Nothing new happened. The biggest event was when new grisha students appeared, and even that instantly disappeared when they were absorbed into their own groups and seemed to have never existed at all.

So when something did happen, Maja heard of it quickly. It was the power of always watching. She had explored all of the Little Palace — or at least all that she could access — and found the perfect listening places.

When the General arrived with a young girl in tow, Maja saw. She watched as guards hurried her into one of the large rooms, kept for special visitors, not grisha. Not even corporalki, for all General Kirigan preferred them, got out of staying in their usual barracks. This, along with the heightened security around the girl, made Maja suspect there was something different about her.

This was all but confirmed by the rumors the next day. The grisha from the fold had returned, many with stories of a Fjerdan attack the first time they tried to transport the girl. She was the sun summoner, they said, and no one had ever known it. She had just been hidden away in the First Army's cartography corps, like she was no one.

Maja had scoffed at their surprise. The Little Palace's arrogant belief that all grisha wanted to come to them left them naïve. The truth was, for all they pushed their 'safest place for grisha' narrative, the truth was out. More and more grisha knew it was just a training camp for child soldiers. It was growing more often for them to find older grisha — either adults who'd finally been worn down into desperationj or teens they had finally captured. Maja herself hidden from them until she was fifteen. That wasn't even counting foreigners would couldn't escape their countries at young ages.

The last to arrive was the king. That sealed the deal did Maja. General Kirigan was planning something with the girl. Either she was the sun summoner, or for some reason he believed he could pass her off as one.

When they were called for a presentation, Maja was among the very few completely unsurprised. She almost considered not going, since she already knew so much. The only question was if it was true or a scam. Which was also the most important part. That was the only thing keeping Maja interested in their little ordeal.

They stood in the large presentation hall, not in the Little Palace but the Grand one of the king. It was a crush of people. All of the adult grisha — students had to work on their lessons no matter what. Even though Maja doubted they would be focused.

Maja kept herself to the walls. She didn't want to be put at the mercy of strangers, who could do anything they wanted to her, in a crowd. That wasn't even considering the delegates around them. If she centered herself with the others, they surrounded them. Otkazat'sya who, no matter what they said otherwise, would crush them in a heartbeat. Who never considered them human.

No one noticed. All of their eyes were on the girl, not dressed in a kefta, but what appeared to be a mock-up of the First Army uniform. Her face was conceded with a golden lace vail. She looked like a fool.

So did the king and queen, sitting up on their thrones, proud as could be despite doing nothing.

The girl removed her hat. For a moment, there were only the whispers of the crowd. Maja crouched behind the decorative handrails they had entered by, watching through their swirls. It wasn't a perfect view. Still, it was enough. She just make out the king and queen's expressions. They almost looked like confusion.

"I thought she'd be taller her," the king said.

"I thought she was Shu," the queen said. "Well, I guess she's Shu enough."

All of the important things. Maja rolled her eyes and, out of habit, traced the braids in her hair. She wondered how shocked they'd be of her. Would they look at her dark complexion and wavy hair and wonder how she could ever be Fjerdan — despite her only technically being half Fjerdan — or would they know right away from the bright blue eyes. She settled on the first. Maja had discovered long ago that the people in charge of most countries were impressively stupid.

Evidenced by the fact the queen continued with:

"Tell her...oh, I don't know...good morning."

"I don't actually speak Shu, Your Highness," the girl said. In perfect Ravkan.

"Then what are you?" The queen asked.

What are you? It was a question that made Maja bristle. The queen said it like the girl was a thing that had to justify it's existence to her. Meanwhile, it seemed to confuse the girl herself. From her vantage point, Maja could see her turn to General Kirigan expectantly. Then to the gathered crowd of grisha behind her. For a moment Maja pitied her. Surrounded by people who didn't even think her human.

"She is Alina Starkov," General Kirigan said, speaking for the girl. "The sun summoner, moya tsaritsa. She will change the future. Starting now."

The general bowed slightly. Alina Starkov followed a second after. 

Seconds later, he raised his hands. Shadow fell over the room, plunging them into darkness. Maja straightened slightly and turned to look around her. She knew it was only shadows. It didn't stop the sudden smothering feeling of being trapped. And for a moment that was all there was.

Then, a light. A sudden blinding light that seemed to fill the room. Maja raised an arm to cover her eyes and squinted through it. The source was, in fact, the girl in the center. Her skin glowed as she formed a bubble of burning light. It shifted like water and wisps came off it as if moved. When it stopped, it disappeared at once into those wisps. Applause erupted from the crowd and the king stood.

"How long will she need?" The king asked.

"Destroying the Fold will be no easy feat," General Kirigan said as he stepped forwards. Alina stood mutely to his side. "She alone might not be able to do it. She will remain with me, at the Little Palace, to train...undisturbed."

The meaning behind it was implied. The general wanted no influence from the crown. He controlled the sun summoner. Alone.

Maja shuttered to think how the girl would be treated. Like a mindless weapon.

"Then train her quickly," the king relented. "Our wars have been a noble pursuit, but this chatter from the West about becoming a sovereign nation, that needs to stop. The sooner we are one country again, the better."

Maja perked up at this. She had heard of the western independence movement. Many saw East Ravka as a leech. Stealing their resources, forcing them into wars. Perhaps Maja could use it to her advantage. Fjerda and Shu Han were hostile to grisha. So was the Wander Isles, and Kerch to some extent, while Novyi Zem was too far away. But if West Ravka became it's own country, Maja could flee there. It wouldn't have the guaranteed safety of the Little Palace, but she had hid long enough to know how to, and it meant she would finally be in control of her life again. No one telling her to die for a king and a country that didn't even know she existed.

Alina headed into the crowd. At once she was swarmed by people wanting to hug and touch her. Meanwhile, General Kirigan start off ahead of her. Maja took that has her time to leave. She fled.

༻✦༺ 　༻✧༺　༻✦༺

Novokribirsk, West Ravka

WHAT DO YOU GET WHEN YOU STICK SIX PEOPLE IN ONE CARRIAGE? For Jax Visser, a very bad time. The roads in Ravka were rough, meaning they were constantly being jostled into each other. And Jax was the one lucky enough to be small. They fit themself against the door and stared out the window for the trip. Inej seemed to be surviving in her seat across from them. Everyone else? Elbowed every five seconds. 

The Ravkan country side was actually rather nice. Quite the difference from Ketterdam. More animals. Rabbits in particularly appeared often, scampering past, freezing when they saw something moving nearby.  As they approached Novokribirsk, however, the animals disappeared. Dark clouds gathered at the edge of the sky. 

Not clouds, Jax realized. The Shadow Fold, which ended far up into the air in wisps. 

"I didn't hire you simply to get us across the Fold," Kaz explained to the Conductor - Arken - who was squeezed in with Borge, Jax, and Jesper. Why Kaz and Inej got their own damn bench, Jax didn't know, nor did they feel safe to take up a complaint about it. "You're with us because you smuggle grisha out of the Little Palace, and that's the location of our target."

The Little Palace. Just the thought of it made Jax fidgety. Neither they or their parents had even stepped foot near the Ravkan stronghold, but they had heard rumors. Some grisha praised it. Yet Jax couldn't find themself enjoying the idea. Strict regiments only worked when they had imposed them themself and, of course, Jax couldn't imagine working for free for an army of strangers. Madness. 

"Sun summoner," Inej said. 

"Alleged," Kaz corrected.

The two glared at each other. 

"But we're optimistic," Borge added.

Personally, Jax thought it was bold to get into Kaz and Inej's little spat. They had made it clear they disagreed on the nature of their sun summoner, and meant to change the other's mind on it. Borge seemed to quickly side with Inej. Of course he did, seemingly of the belief that he ought to stick up for the religious, even if they weren't following his own gods. Jax? They didn't see a point in the fight. 

Did it matter if the sun summoner was real? They weren't the one paying for a faulty product if it turned out she wasn't. 

"They wouldn't keep a fraud in the most secure location in all of Ravka," Inej argued. 

It was tempting to say it could be propaganda. Jax didn't, though, for their own safety. Kaz, meanwhile, turned his attention back to Arken. 

"You said you have a contact who can get us inside.  A heartrender," Kaz said. Arken nodded. "How do I know we can trust her?"

"Nina grew up there," Arken said.

"Ah! Of course," Borge nodded. "Perfect."

"How is that supposed to make her want to betray them?" Jax asked.

"Oh, right," Borge scratched his chin and turned to Arken. "How does that work, exactly? Wouldn't she be less willing to help us? Since it's like her family."

"Nina's a radical, thinks grisha should get to choose if they serve the Crown,"  Arken explained. "She despises involuntary service more than she does Fjerdans." 

They all turned to look at Borge. 

"I could be any tall blonde person! She won't know," Borge protested. 

She'd definitely know. Jax sighed and leaned their head on the door. This was going to be rough.

Still, Jax had some hope when they arrived at the inn they were supposed to meet Nina in. After all, they might be able to convince Nina Borge was trustworthy. She would only know he was Fjerdan. Not that he was a form drüskelle. For all she knew he was just some traitor. Yes. She would like that.

Jax didn't know something was wrong. 

The first sign was when Borge stopped at the front desk. He raised an eyebrow as he shared a look with the innkeeper. It was then that Jax caught sight of the Fjerdan krydda in the man's hand. 

Then the room was empty. Empty aside from a suitcase of things, open. Jax paused at a side table. They carefully picked up shards of glass. The remains of a shattered glass, they'd bet on it. Put together? Dangerous signs. Something had happened the only question was what. 

"She isn't late. She's gone," Kaz announced. 

"Yes, but her things are all..." Arden's words faded out as Kaz flipped the case closed with his cane. Under it was a pin - sliver, the head of a snarling wolf.

"What is it?" Jasper asked, sensing the sudden tension. 

"Drüskelle," Arken said as he picked up the pin. He passed it to Borge, who turned it over in his hand. "They are ruthless grisha hunters." 

Jax forced themself to take a deep breath. If they had been there any sooner...they knew it was impossible, but the possibility ran through their mind. They and Jasper were the only grisha among them. Would the drüskelle force a fight for two extra grisha? And if they didn't, would they have been able to save Nina? Jax knew it depended on how useful she might have been. 

After all, they wouldn't attack skilled opponents for dead weight. 

"Explains the Fjerdan krydda the innkeeper was counting when we arrived," Kaz said. As he spoke, Inej went to the window and studied the ground below. "It's likely he ratted her out."

"She's probably captive on a ship to Fjerdan by now," Arken said.

"She's certainly captive on a ship to Fjerdan by now," Borge passed the pin off to Jax discretely. They checked the dust and that of the bed - composition and amount collected could help see how long it had been there - and nodded to confirm what they suspected. It had been almost a day. "Drüskelle often operate outside of Fjerda, but they would be considered enemy in Ravka. Fear of grisha would only protect them for so long before the people here wanted them gone."

"They had a clear line of attack," Inej said. 

"Take a look," Kaz intstructed. "Make sure there aren't anymore surprises."

Inej pulled up her hood and disappeared silently out the window. Jax found themself instinctively drifting towards Borge. As if, if there were any drüskelle left, he could protect them. They all knew it was ridiculous. The drüskelle might have kicked Borge out of their own choice - the fact that he was male wasn't enough, he had to be born one as well to be part of their murder club - but it didn't mean they wouldn't kill him as if he'd betrayed them willingly. 

"Well, that's that," Arken sat down on the bed. "We've lost our way into the Little Palace."

"No other plan?" Jax raised an eyebrow. They didn't quite believe that. 

Arken only shrugged. 

They met Inej outside. She gave an all clear, and Jax felt some tension leave their shoulders. At least they wouldn't have to deal with drüskelle on top of their current issues. 

"This seems like a reasonable junction to abandon this whole sun summoner plan," Arken announced. 

"Abandon?" Kaz stared at the man like he'd gone mad. Jax was beginning to suspect he had. "We're in this now. And I know what a million kluge means to me. What does it mean to you?"

"Freedom," Inej said. 

"Fun. Like, at least a few months," Jesper offered. 

"New supplies," Jax said with a shrug. Their tone was dismissive, but excitement quickly bubbled in their chest at the thought. 

"Retirement," Arken said, after some thought. 

"A dog," Broge grinned. The other turned to stare at him and he scoffed, "Oh, because Jesper's fun is so reasonable." 

Jesper whined in protest. Before he could complain, though, Kaz interrupted him. 

"Right, so we press on," Kaz turned to Arken. "You get us across the Fold, and I'll figure out the rest on the other side." 

Arken paused for a moment. For a second, Jax thought he might still argue. Then he nodded. 

"Fine," Arken took a notepad from his pocket and flipped through it. "To cross, I'll need 20 pounds of alabaster coal. A peck of Mjaloun jurda. Uh, not the kind from Kerch. It's too weak. And, uh, a goat."

Jesper pulled a face at the last one. Jax felt about as confused as the boy looked. 

"Now, we meet in the dead of night. There's a wreckage of a skiff northeast, on the edge of town.  So, who get's what?"

"Inej, jurda. Jax you're with her," Kaz nodded to the two. Though he didn't say it out loud, most likely to avoid giving their grisha status away to Arken, but Jax knew why. They'd be able to make sure it was the right jurda. "I'll get the goat. Jesper..."

Kaz slowly approached Jesper, staring him in the eyes, and passed him money. 

"Just the coal. No detours."

"Where am I going?" Borge asked.

"You," Kaz pointed at Borge. Then to Arken, "Are going with him."

"I'll be perfectly fine on my own -" Arken started.

"He's going with you."

Kaz's tone left little room to argue.  Arken shook his head and started off, motioning for Borge to follow him. He seemed to believe Borge was there to protect him. Jax had never seen any one more wrong in their life. Borge wasn't there to protect him. He was there to break his legs if he tried to run. 

༻✦༺ 　༻✧༺　༻✦༺

Os Alta, East Ravka

MINGXIA KIR-FENG WAS THE PERFECT IMAGE OF DECEPTION. Small, with golden skin and soft, round features, and a baby-face that made her look thirteen instead of sixteen. All of which combined perfectly to make people assume she was practically angelic. Sometimes she was. Sometimes she pretended to be sweet little girl, painfully ditzy but always read to help. She batted her eyes and played innocent. Konstantin knew better.

Of course, it was easy to know better when she was throwing you face first into the dirt.

Konstantin pushed himself onto his forearms. He tried to catch his breath...and promptly inhaled an mouthful of blood. Gagging, he spat it out and pressed a hand to his face, somehow surprised to find his nose was bleeding. Someone tapped the top of his head. Konstantin looked up to find Mingxia crouched in front of him, eyes wide and mouth down turned in a very exaggerated look of concern.

"Botkin said I won," Mingxia said, her voice sickly sweet. "I could heal you."

Mingxia reached towards his face. Konstantin swatted her hand away and push himself to his feet on his own. It earned a giggle from Mingxia, who simply dusted off her own kefta.

"You're right. I probably wouldn't, anyway," Mingxia chirped. She turned to Botkin and, in Shu, added, "I think he needs a healer, poor guy."

"I don't need a healer," Konstantin insisted. He pinched his nose to stop at least some of the bleeding, but only managed to make himself sound nasally and coat his fingers in blood. "I'm perfectly capable of stopping my own bleeding."

If Konstantin had any sort of luck, it simply would have stopped there. Proved his point. Instead it promptly proceeded to get worse. This time Mingxia burst into laughter openly. Botkin shook his head and waved Konstantin off court and back into he crowd. As he did, Mingxia turned, hands on her hips, and studied the options for another fight. 

For various reasons, Mingxia was confident in her abilities. In her sixteen years of life, she had become a capable fighter. She had to be. From Nehlu to the Menagerie to even the Little Palace, to an extent, Mingxia had never lived in a place where she was entirely safe. That was on top of the fact that everyone seemed to underestimate her. They saw a sweet face and a nice smile, and it didn't matter that she just busted someone's nose. Suddenly she was some poor helpless maiden that they couldn't possibly harm. 

It made Mingxia laugh. Still, why would she correct them? It was frustrating sometimes, but most of the time it meant she got to screw with them and they never attempted to stop it. 

Alas, there wouldn't be any more showing off. Someone had arrived that caught everyone's attention. At once Mingxia perked up. She tried to see what was happening through the crowd of people in front of her. 

At first she was unimpressed. It was just a group of etherealki. According to their embroidered colors, it was a tidemaker, an inferni, and...Mingxia squinted. 

The last one was odd. In the Little Place, the orders were given colored keftas. Red for corporalki, red for etherealki, and purple for materialki. Then inside those, each had their own embroidered decorations to tell them apart further. For etherealki there were pale blue for tidemakers, silver for squallers, and red for inferni. All a bunch of nonsense in Mingxia's opinion, a weird attempt at controlling them further, but she had taken the time to memorize them out of boredom with everything else.

What the third girl wore was gold. 

"Sun summoner!" Botkin shouted as the three approached. If anyone wasn't looking, they were now. That explained the different color. "All of Ravka's foes what to kill you before you can destroy the Fold. It's a great honor to have so many enemies."

Mingxia danced from foot to foot. She didn't know about the great honor of having enemies - she glanced at Konstantin, who'd ended up standing next to her and still pinched his nose. Maybe he counted? - but she did know one thing. This was the sun summoner. A grisha would could control light! At once Mingxia thought of everything one could do with that kind of power. Dramatic entrances! Blind people who annoy you! Convince people you're a saint for money - er - to give them hope! It was around then that Mingxia realized something. The sun summoner was Shu, or at least Shu enough to have a strong appearance. 

Maybe they could bond over that. Mingxia had to admit, as stupid as it sounded, she missed having people to share her culture with. 

"A very warm greeting," the sun summoner muttered.

"You must learn to defend yourself fast. Do you know how to fight?" Botkin said. 

The sun summoner paused for a moment. 

"I've had some training." 

"So me," Botkin stepped aside so the sun summoner was in clear view of everyone - and everyone in clear view of her. "Pick an opponent."

Mingxia was practically jumping up and down with excitement. She could fight. The sun summoner. Maybe Botkin would let them use their powers. Sure it wasn't normally allowed, but it could be fun! Think of the show! Oh, Taohi would be so excited to hear about it. Even if she didn't win. 

Instead, the sun summoner pointed to Zoya Nazyalensky. 

"She's dead," Konstantin said. 

"No she's not," Mingxia rolled her eyes. "She's the sun summoner."

"She was the sun summoner," Konstantin correct. "Now she's dead." 

Mingxia scoffed and elbowed him in the side. Still, as much as she wanted to back the new girl, Konstantin had a point. Zoya had been trying since she was ten. Trying hard, and under the tutelage of General Kirigan at that. She was powerful, both with her powers and in hand-to-hand combat. The sun summoner clearly felt she had something to prove. That or she just didn't know how powerful Zoya was and refused to back down. Or she was super prepared and just down played it as 'some training.'

Whatever it was, Mingxia knew one thing. This would be fun. 

The two stepped into the arena. Both raised their fist. 

At Botkin's orders, the sun summoner swung first. Zoya dodged easily. She caught the sun summoner's ankle as she did, sending the girl to the ground. There were some chuckles at the thud that followed. Konstantin raised an eyebrow at Mingxia. She elbowed him again. 

Zoya walked away, not even turning to look at the sun summoner when she got up. 

"We go again," the sun summoner announced.

Botkin allowed it. Once again, the sun summoner swung first. This time Zoya engaged. She caught the girl's arms, blocking both a left and right punch. On the second one she twisted the sun summoner's arm. Turning, she threw her over her shoulder and to the ground. Zoya bent over the sun summoner, a hand pinning her throat. Mingxia leaned forwards to hear what she whispered to the girl. 

Whatever it was, it had the sun summoner pissed. She leapt her her feet as soon as Zoya let go. 

Zoya made the mistake of turning as she walked away. The sun summoner socked her across the face, so hard she was thrown forwards. 

From behind her, Mingxia could see Zoya's shoulders tense. Seconds later she whipped around, hands out stretched. A blast of wind sent the sun summoner across the training arena. She was thrown backwards into a bail of hay. While the two etherealki ran to Alina's side, Zoya got a dressing down from Botkin. A rule was set. You don't hurt the sun summoner. 

"I told you," Konstantin whispered as he passed Mingxia. "She's dead."

Mingxia scoffed as he left. Whatever. 

༻✦༺ 　༻✧༺　༻✦༺

Novokribirsk, West Ravka

BORGE WAS GROWING SUSPICIOUS. Sure, he wasn't some uber genius. That was something he was happy to admit. But even he could see that Arken was acting suspicious. He fidgeted constantly. Wondered around. Kept making excuses why Borge should go somewhere he could be easily ditched. Borge managed to stick by his side for the most part. They only got separated for a moment - by some nice embroidery and a poorly timed crowd - and suddenly Arken seemed much happier when he returned. Almost...proud with himself. 

Maybe Borge could have confronted him at one. Yet he knew that wasn't the right move. Instead he kept notes in his mind. He'd tell Kaz. Kaz would know what once what the behavior meant and, more importantly, the best time to do something about it. 

The two where the first to arrive at the meeting point. Borge was glad to be out of town. Ravkans always put him on edge. The West was a little more forgiving - their independence movement meant they weren't particularly attached to old hatreds - but he couldn't help but feel like everyone saw him as an enemy. Borge didn't blame them. Not really. That didn't keep its from hurting though. 

Inej and Jax arrived next. Kaz came soon after, a goat tucked under his arm. At once Jax began to coo over it. They took it from Kaz, who seemed almost relieved to be rid of it. Borge almost laughed. The boy seemed so angry to be stuck with the animal. Poor Dirtyhands, walking around with an adorable little goat. Must have wounded his pride five times over. 

Kaz brought rope. Clearly he meant to walk the goat. Jax carried it the entire way instead. 

Their only light was a torch. Though Jesper hadn't arrived yet, they started off. Borge still scanned the darkness for him. Knowing Jesper, he'd gone and gotten himself in trouble. 

"We're almost there," Arken announced, after awhile of walking. 

"Where the hell is Jesper?" Kaz hissed to them.

"We didn't see him," Jax said, glancing to Inej for agreement. She also shook her head.

"Just a little further," Arken said. 

They came upon a sign. It was written in Ravkan. But even if they couldn't read it, the image of an explosion with a leg being torn off made the meaning rather clear. Mine field. At once they pulled to a stop. Only Arken continued in without a care.

"We'll wait," Kaz called, making Arken turn towards him. "Follow the path that you carve."

Arken glanced at the sign. He seemed to have only just realized it was there.

"Oh, that sign, that was my idea to keep people away. Can't be too careful," Arken said.

Kaz turned and raised an eyebrow at Jax. They only shook their head. They were, unfortunately, only an alkemi. Jesper might have been able to sense the difference between dirt and metal. Except he wasn't trained. Or there. Jax could have sensed the gun power...if not for the layers of dirt between it and them. They would have to trust Arken on this one.

Still, Borge wasn't too worried. After all, Arken was walking around without any pattern. Why would he do that if there were land mines? Even ones he was lying about. That was a stupid risk. 

Besides, the biggest threat was the goat wondering on to something, and it was safely in Jax's arms. 

The torch light cut through the gloom, revealing a set of train tracks. Train tracks that only ran a few feet before disappearing in a wall of darkness. Borge swallowed a lump in his throat. From a distance and in the light, he'd been able to see the top of the Fold. Now? It seemed to go on forever, disappearing into the night sky in a sea of black. 

"It's one thing hearing about it, but this is..." Inej shook her head.

"Nothing compared to what lies within," Arken interrupted.

Borge gave a silent prayer to Djel. He tended to be sparing with his prayers, in case the drüskelle had been right and their god really was angry with him, but this seemed like a moment to ask for it. 

Arken handed the torch to Inej and started into the darkness. Thunder rumbled inside. Faint light flashed. Soon a new noise joined it - the screech of metal on metal. A train rolled out to the edge of the track. Borge blinked for a moment. It was a deep black, probably the reason it had seemed to come out of no where. With that, Arken turned to taken the things. 

Gunfire poped in the distance. Someone shouted for them to wait. At once Borge turned to see Jesper sprinting from the darkness. Behind he was a mob, pitchforks and torches and all. 

"They can't see the train," Arken shoved the torch down so the train was hidden once more.

"Jesper, get here now!" Kaz shouted. 

"Leave the lantern!" Inej added.

Jesper pulled to a stop in front of the sign. "Landmines!"

"They're fake!" Borge called, before instantly regretting giving that information to the mob that definitely wanted them dead. 

A bullet ricochet off the sign. Whether Jesper believed them or not, he sprinted into the minefield, bag held over his head, shouting for them not to leave without him. He arrived soon enough. They climbed inside and Inej pulled the door shut. Though Borge couldn't see them, he could hear the crowd outside deciding to come after them. Curse his fat mouth. 

"Please tell me you have twenty points of alabaster coal," Arken insisted. 

"Slight snag in the plan," Jesper admitted. "Turns out that the kid who was helping me but the coal...didn't exactly know how to, uh, buy coal."

"We know you gambled it away," Kaz said. 

"I lost a little money," Jesper said. 

Kaz stared blankly at him. Bullets pinged off the train's hull.

"I lost all the money."

"Still got the coal, though," Borge offered. He still slapped the back of Jesper's head, though, earning some complains about messing up his hat. 

"Yeah, uh, I managed to steal twenty point of alabaster coal," Jesper agreed. 

Jax leaned over their shoulders. "That's not twenty pounds."

"No, no that's definitely twenty pounds."

"There's sixteen pounds," Arken corrected.

Well. Typical luck. Borge didn't know why he expected anything else. Maybe Djel was mad at him. Maybe this was punishment for asking for help. Damn it! 

"Can we do it on sixteen pounds?" Kaz asked. 

"Never been done before," Arken admitted. 

"Well..." Borge shrugged. "Doesn't mean impossible, does it?"

Arken gave him a look. So, maybe it probably did mean it was impossible. But Borge chose positivity. 

Someone shouted outside. There were more gunshots. Everyone was shoved into their seats and warned not to shift their weight. Instinctively, Borge tensed and held himself perfectly still. Even when he started to flinch at the sound of an explosion in the distance. Landmines. 

"I thought you said they weren't real," Kaz accused.

"I said nothing of the sort," Arken said as he focused on his work. "I just said I put up the sign myself."

Borge didn't like these sorts of technicalities. Never ended well for him. 

༻✦༺ 　༻✧༺　༻✦༺

Os Alta, East Ravka

IT WAS SURPRISINGLY EASY TO BE INVISIBLE. Luna Felta knew that well. She simply had to exist, keeping her head down, and no one would notice she was there at all. Sometimes it was frustrating. The times when she was ignored for things she couldn't control, when being ignored was because she was being dismissed as lesser then. Other times? Other times it was a blessing. Because then people who would make it their business to ruin her day couldn't find her. 

Right now was one of those times.

Technically, Luna was supposed to be helping heal returning soldiers. Many had just come from Kribirsk with wounds from a mixture of sources. And, of course, the occasional grisha that came in needed to be checked over. Except most of them had already been gone through for the day. In fact, Luna had been shooed out so she would stop hovering over people who were supposed to be resting. So instead Luna sat in the field outside the medical wing, pressed her back against the wall to avoid someone reading over her shoulders, and started a letter. 

To who? Luna didn't know. She hadn't signed it yet. Perhaps she never would - it wasn't like it would be sent. The only difference was who she pretended she was talking about.

Or maybe Luna could write to Chris. She thought about that as she stared down at a half finished sentence. He had just arrived in at a new encampment, so Luna knew where he was to send a letter. And she had actual events to talk about instead of just how she felt. Though Luna had missed the presentation, Maja had mentioned the sun summoner when they talked after breakfast, and others had been whispering about the same. In short - something she could put in a letter and actually send to Chris. Maybe he'd even get to visit while returning it and other response letters.

As soon as she considered that, Luna shook her head. Maybe it was best he didn't. The last time he was in the Little Palace he had started a fight with one of the grisha. He insisted they had been mocking him for being an otkazat'sya. Honestly Luna wouldn't have been surprised either way. Chris was an idiot who started fights on his own, but some of the grisha in the Little Palace seemed to forget they were there to be protected, not worshiped. 

Luna was just considering if she should include an update about Daniel - since she'd all but decided it was for Chris - when someone called her name. She startled. Esfir Kirigan had found her. 

At once Luna bristled slightly. It wasn't so much that she disliked the Kirigans. After all, hadn't the general agreed to give her family safety? Yet it wast hard to be at ease with them. Luna was tempted to blame it on her Fjerdan raising - it was hard to forget when you were taught someone is a monster. In truth, the truth Luna wasn't quite happy to admit, she wasn't comfortable with their power. Not the grisha one, but the political one. The one that allowed General Kirigian to run an entire home for grisha under the nose of an anti-grisha regiment, even if it wasn't even close to one of the worst. 

"Fetla," Esfir paused. She narrowed her eyes at the paper in Luna's hands. "What are you writing?"

"Nothing," Luna quickly turned to hide her writing. Then, realizing her mistake, sheepishly added, "It's personal. I would prefer if you didn't see it."

Of course, if Esfir asked to see it, Luna would have to hand it over. The last thing she needed was to be suspected as a spy. Even if she hated every second of it, that was a threat that constantly hung over her head in the Little Palace. People loved to assume the grisha who came from outside Ravka were still loyal to their home country - even when it was countries that despised them. 

"Oh..." Esfir quickly looked away. Still not looking at Luna, she continued, "I have a mission for you."

"Mission?" Luna repeated.

If she wasn't on edge, she certainly was now. After how the last mission had went? There was no way. They wouldn't send her back out. They couldn't. No one in their right mind would trust her with that. Still, despite the sudden panic, Luna forced her expression to stay neutral. 

"The general believes it is best to keep a healer with the sun summoner at all times. In case of an attack, we need someone for instant healing, other wise we'll be wasting time finding someone," Esfir explained. 

"And you want...me? Why?" Luna didn't mean to be insubordinate. She just didn't understand.

"Because it's an order," Esfir snapped. For a moment it looked like she wasn't going to leave it at that. Then, after staring very hard, she - in a rather defeated tone - said, "The sun summoner is half Shu. She isn't from Shu Han, but already some of the grisha are treating her like the enemy. I need someone I can trust to put that aside and protect her like one of our own. You've had similar experiences, and already proven you can work in a diverse team." 

Luna blinked.

"It's still an order. You still have to do it," Esfir added. 

Luna took a deep breath. A fair point. That didn't mean that she had to feel confident about it. 

༻✦༺ 　༻✧༺　༻✦༺

Os Alta, East Ravka 

DINNER WAS ONE OF MAJA'S LEAST FAVORITE TIMES. The other two were breakfast and lunch. When they were forced in to nice little lines and made to sit at their specific little tables. Split up by order. Tables were set up, in a triangle with a black chair for the general at one point. To the left and right were the corporalki and etherealki. Across sat the materialki in, according to the former two, the seat of least honor. One of the many reasons Maja despised the whole event. 

It wasn't that Maja hated her fellow materialki. Not per say. They all shared an interest in creating - whether that be art or weapons - so there was at least always something to talk about. In fact, on occasions, Maja would talk with whoever ended up sitting across from her. 

The problem was a little part resented them for their passiveness. Not once did they express resentment for their poor treatment. Even in the dining hall, where it was put on full display. The way they were trapped in their work shop for hours upon hours. The way their powers were repressed, limited only to making weapons. How, despite everything being built on their abilities, the they weren't even given the respect to be called durasts and alkemi, instead both being deemed fabrikators. 

"It's not that big of a deal," someone had said when Maja had made the mistake of expressing herself. "You don't have to be mad about everything."

No. No, Maja probably didn't. It wouldn't keep her from feeling that way anyway. 

Across the way, Maja caught sight of Alina Starkov. A large meal had been placed in front of her. With it came a taster. Maja rubbed her forehead. The show being made about the sun summoner was growing grating. She was a girl. Not a saint. 

"News from the Fjerdan front," Ivan announced. He stood at the side of the general's empty seat - neither of the shadow summoners ever ate with them - to make an announcement. Everyone fell silent. "In the First Army, many casualties in the 18th, 27th, and 36th battalions."

Instinctively Maja glanced over at the corporalki table. She could see Luna pushing around her food on her plate. It was hard to read her expression. They would never get a list of names, though, there were too many. Maja could only the hope the fact the girl hadn't been informed meant that Chris Fetla wasn't among them. It would be cruel, wouldn't it, to give that news in a general report? 

"Also among the dead, six healers, four inferni, and three heartrenders," Ivan continued. He raised his head from the paper. Suddenly, Maja was very aware he was glaring at the sun summoner. "The Fjerdans will be no match against a unified Ravka. Why are you here eating figs, hmm? You should be training every waking moment to tear down the Fold."

"She's not a weapon, Ivan, she needs food, too," Maja snapped. 

It earned her a few glares, but Maja wouldn't let it go unsaid. She didn't care if she wasn't supposed to speak up. She would. She always would. 

༻✦༺ 　༻✧༺　༻✦༺

The Fold, Ravka

THINGS WERE GOING ABOUT AS WELL AS THEY COULD IN A DEATH TRAP. Jax clung to their seat. It was a struggle to keep their back straight and avoid moving. The curse of being told to stay still. As soon as you didn't want to move, everything seemed to itch. Their hair hung in their face and tickled their nose. Their coat was suddenly very pinchy around the arms and their shirt was defiantly riding up in the back. But Jax didn't risk the slightest movement. 

Over the sound of the train, Jax listened for other things. They didn't know what. Monster noises. What did monsters sound like? They imagine loud, shrieking noises, but they would never know until it was too late. 

The dark was suffocating. It seemed to leak through every crack and press in from every angle. It was somehow as light as air, yet something that lay heavy upon them. 

A bull wrung. Jax tensed. 

"What was that?" Jesper asked. 

"I've erected a system of timers along the line," Arken explained. "Bits of metal hung on poles to keep me apprised of our pace."

Jax perked up at that knowledge. At once curiosity won out over fear. What sort of system was Arken implying? It sounded impossible to build. One would have to walk through the Fold. Not just that, stay long enough to make sure everything was set right. Now that Jax though of it, they didn't know how any of this would work. Who built the tracks? Arken? He would have been killed. Had it been there before? Impossible, with them not ending in a station there would be no need to build them, and if they were official they would certainly have been used. 

All this Jax turned over in their mind. They almost forgot the looming threat of volcra. Almost. 

When they came back to the conversation it was at one very important point.

"I'm sorry, did you way the tracks weren't complete?" Jasper asked.

"I said they aren't complete," Arken corrected. 

"Well, that's worse!" Borge said. "How do we get across them." 

"We're a tad late," Arken said, ignoring the complains completely. "More coal." 

Jax, who sat nearest the coal, quickly put more in. They didn't put much thought in it. They were more focused on the fact that the tracks weren't complete. Whatever that meant. Arken's lack of transparency was growing more and more concerning. Especially since each fun little reveal was seemingly threatening their lives a little more each time. 

"Back to the real issue. We're on tracks that don't connect to other tracks?" Jesper insisted. 

"Yes, there's a gap but -" Arken started. 

"You said you could get us through," Kaz interrupted. He looked like he was going to throw Arken in after the coal. 

"How much of a gap?"

"I built slats on the car," Arken assured. "They roll into place under the wheels. The turbine generates enough wind to push us all the way to the eastern track. As long as we don't shift our weight."

"No offense, but I don't really believe you," Borge admitted. 

Arken didn't protest. Probably because he didn't have much of a leg to stand on. 

A bell wrung. Jax winced. They despised that sound. It felt like every time it went off, it was another beacon for monsters. 

"Now the noise may attract volcra, but it's the only way across," Arken admitted. 

Arken pulled a lever, and Jax knew exactly what he meant by noise. There was a loud shriek. The train lurched. There was no way anything near them missed it. Jax knew this wasn't going to be stealthy the second they saw the massive machine, but they hadn't expected it to get this bad. They were beginning to regret being talked into this, Dregs or no Dregs. 

"Now, there's a nest nearby. But - but we'll be fine. If they haven't attacked us in..."

A roar cut Arken short. Through one of the slats in the wall, they could make out a shape in the distance. Jax didn't need to have heard a volcra before to guess that was it. 

At once, something was bombarding the train. Shrill shrieks and growls came from every directions and metal screeched as sharp talons raked against it. Arken leapt to his feet. The goat cried. Their only option was to dump in what little coal they had left and pray it would carry them through despite not being the full twenty. 

There was a thud and a wet crunch. Blood poured through one of the openings and down the wall. Suddenly, the weight shifted on its own. Arken opened a scope. 

"The stupid thing impaled itself on a spike," Arken said.

"We need to get it off, the others will stand on it," Kaz said.

"More coal!"

"We're down to fumes."

Jax groaned and ran their fingers through their hair. They couldn't make it with the extra weight. It would be just enough to slow them down. And, if volcra started standing on it, it might even pull them off the tracks entirely. 

"This is how we die," Jesper announced.

"Jesper, grab the goat," Arken ordered.

Jesper turned to him, appalled.

"I'm not throwing out the goat!"

"Grab the damn goat!" Arken shouted. "It's not bait. It's for you! I need you to calm down. Hug the goat. Shut the hell up."

Jesper hugged the goat and shut the hell up. It didn't change the fact that they were still doomed. They were slowing down significantly. More were coming. If they didn't reach the other side, they would have to risk dismounting in the Fold and running with a cloud of volcra surrounding them. They would be picked off at once. Everyone pressed themselves down in their seats. Only Jesper seemed to be calm, rubbing his face against the goat's fur. 

Claws punched through the metal of the roof. 

Suddenly, Jesper stood. He stepped out into the center of the train, eyes closed, goat under his arm. He opened them and raised his gun to the ceiling. 

In seconds Jesper had fired through to the creatures above. Then he moved on to those around them, firing through the thin slits on the side. Their cries of pain made one thing clear - Jesper landed every shot he fired. Not that Jax expected anything less. Once they were gone, Jesper placed the goat down on the ground. 

"Are they all dead?" Inej asked.

Poor timing. The punctures on the roof were suddenly broken through again. This time the volcra ripped an opening. A gaping maw broke through. 

Jesper raised his gun. He only fired once. It blasted through the volcra's mouth and exploded the head. 

Seconds later, light replaced the dark. Jax leaned back in their seat and gasped for air. They couldn't help but laugh. They had done it. They had escaped the Fold, running on sixteen point of coal and dead luck. 

Finally! Everyone's back! Though there's no Vasya. I meant to write him some new scenes, like I did with Luna, but damn. These chapters are long. Unfortunately I think he's going to be a bit of a small role over all.