CHAPTER ONE.

     Storming down the corridors, Liliya still held the same air of elegance she always did. Her hips swaying and her hands swaying at her sides without looking unnatural. Though the scowl on her face and her hands balled into fists made sure everyone avoided her. They dipped to the side of the corridor as she walked through. Her blue kefta wrapped tightly around her and the red embroidery almost acted as a warning.

     The dining hall was loud with Grisha. Various boys and girls sat on tables together. Talking loudly but they seemed to quieten as Liliya walked across the room. She didn't pay attention, just walked past them and went straight through to General Kirigan's chambers. Her composure dropping the second that she had crossed the threshold.

     Storming down the corridor, she bashed her hand against the door. Her foot tapping against the marble as she waited for a response. The sound of muffled voices could be heard and she recognised one to be Kirigan's. The other was likely Ivan or the servant. Liliya frankly didn't care and was about to slam the door open but it opened on its own before her hand even reached the handle.

     When she saw Kirigan, her whole persona changed. Her hands staying balled and the scowl still present on her lips but she toned it down especially considering that it had been a servant that opened the door.

     "Liliya, I wasn't expecting you back so soon," General Kirigan said as he met her gaze. She glared back at him and stepped through the door, crossing to stand in front of his desk, "Leave us," The man added. The servant that was standing silently by the door exited with barely a sound. Liliya continued to just glare down at him.

     "I thought it was best I gave you a report," Liliya said, not sitting down. The chairs were uncomfortable and she felt no need to make herself suffer more. The wood digging into her would only make her more frustrated. She was already exhausted.

     "I have not been made aware of the child being held in our custody," He responded. His cool and composed front only making her more irritable. His words causing her fists to clench tighter.

     "Sending me was a mistake," Liliya said, stepping back from the desk. Turning her back to him as she pushed her fingers through her red hair. It was down and had been for most of the journey back home. Now she found herself angry at how it got into her face, sticking to the bloody wound on her cheek. She hadn't even bothered to get herself healed.

     Kirigan said nothing until Liliya turned back, cocking an eyebrow at him. He tilted his head slightly before gesturing for her to sit down. Not saying a word still. A frustrated huff escaped her lips and she decided to just give in. It would be no use arguing against him.

     "What?" She asked as she crossed her arms over her chest. Kirigan mirrored her but leant forward towards her. His work discarded in front of him. A sentence half-written in scribbled ink. Though Liliya's full attention was on his face.

     "I am waiting for an explanation," He said, not finding the need to explain himself further. The two of them knew exactly what he wanted from her. Liliya scoffed at his words. They both also knew that he knew exactly why she had come back empty-handed and covered in injuries. It was a stupid mission and they had nearly got caught on the wrong side of the border.

     "He was a child," Liliya said, brushing her hair out of her face. Her usually perfect locks just out of place, it was getting on her nerves but no fiddling had fixed it and she doubted that it would.

     "And I wanted you to bring him," Kirigan responded. Liliya scoffed and pushed herself forward. Her elbows resting against her knees as she stared up at him. Even sat down she was still so much shorter than him but she did her best to ignore the difference. It hadn't changed since the last confrontation they had.

     "You know how I feel about missions involving children," She responded simply. He narrowed his gaze before he pulled his chair in. Getting comfortable as he rested back. Relaxing in his chair. It seemed that he was waiting, "Do not make me repeat what we both already know," She added. Kirigan gently shook his head and moved to stand up. He crossed the desk and looked down at her, lifting her face up by her chin.

     "You seem to forget your position around me, Liliya. I asked you to get me the child. You listen to me," He said simply, pinching her chin. Liliya just stared back at him, keeping her mouth shut. The two staring at each other until Liliya pulled away. He won, as always. She sighed and he pulled his hand away from her. He stepped back from the chair and stared down.

     "If you keep the details of the mission from me, I will continue not to bring you your things," Liliya threatened. General Kirigan shook his head as he walked back to the other side of the desk. He grabbed a book and slid it back into the bookshelf before he turned to face her. Allowing her to think about her words before he spoke again.

     "I get to decide what I tell you or choose to keep from you. You were aware of this when you joined my side, Liliya," He said as he looked down at her. Liliya shrugged and moved to stand up, hating how small he made her feel. Standing did little to change it and only made her leg ache a little more but she ignored it.

     "So you willingly deceived me?" She asked. Kirigan chuckled softly at her and walked over. Allowing himself to tower over her as he kept his hands rested against his black kefta. Somehow it made him just that little bit more intimidating. It always made him seem that little bit more dangerous, that was probably the intent.

     "Be careful of your words," He warned. His voice still as calm and composed as usual. Liliya clenched her jaw and looked away from him, taking a deep breath. Letting her hands relax, her knuckles aching from how much she had been squeezing her fists. The man recognised the pain and moved his hand to Liliya's hair, brushing it away from the wound again.

     "I do not like harming children," Liliya muttered. Kirigan nodded his head, letting his fingers move to her chin, forcing her to meet his gaze again. Staring into the coal black, the gloom of the room only making them appear darker than they usually were.

     "You are injured. We will discuss this this evening. Relax and sleep, I can tell you are exhausted. I will send a servant to notify you of our meeting time," Kirigan dismissed as he stepped away. Crossing the room and taking a seat in his chair again. Liliya stared at him for a moment, watching him pick up his quill.

     When she realised that they were going to get nowhere else, she turned on her heel and walked out of the door. She let it slam closed behind her before she composed herself, breathing out of her nose then she sent the servant a smile.

     "I'm sure he'll call you in," Liliya said before she breezed past. Letting herself become composed again, her fists staying unfurled at her sides, swaying with her hands. Not bothering to care about her bloodied cheek and the ache in her legs. Grisha's were perfect and she was not going to be the exception.

     She did, however, head straight for the Healers. The red splatters against her pale skin were never a good look and if Genya saw her, she'd likely drop dead at the sight. The younger girl enjoyed her vanity but was never overbearingly arrogant about it. That couldn't be said about other Grisha but Liliya didn't waste her energy on thinking of them.

     Once she had reached the infirmary, one of the healers attended to her. Liliya too wrapped up in her own thoughts to even pay attention to the way her face tingled and burned uncomfortably as it healed. The bruises on her legs were harder to access but once they were treated, Liliya was free to go.

     Her boots clashing against the marble tile as she walked across the floor and towards her bedroom. Falling into her plush sheets and sleep sounded like a dream but a better part of her knew that she should spend her time doing something productive. So, she was going to take a bath, wash away the mud and grime and blood and then decide.

     Liliya had only gotten her feet into the tub when she heard the door of her room open. She didn't even bother to get out of the bath, grabbing the sponge and beginning to scrub down her arms. Genya locating the redhead with ease. Her head tilting and a frown on her lips when she noticed the blood and messy way her hair was tied up.

     "I heard you returned. I left some pastries on your dresser," Genya said as she grabbed the stool from the bedroom, carrying it in. Liliya nodded and placed the sponge to one side, sinking below the water again. She and Genya had an odd relationship. It wasn't exactly romantic but it wasn't platonic either. It always balanced that thin line but Liliya didn't really care or notice. It was just normal to her, she enjoyed the comfort Genya brought her.

     "I saw the box and assumed," Liliya said. Genya watched for a long moment and noticed the slower movements. The days of travel had taken their toll even if it wasn't immediately obvious. Genya pushed herself closer and rolled up her sleeves. She then grabbed the sponge and dipped it underneath the water, "You're gonna get your kefta wet," Liliya muttered. Her eyes still closed as she felt the water spread across her shoulders.

     "It wouldn't matter even if I did," Genya responded. A knowingly smirk on her face that Liliya caught when she briefly opened her eyes.

     "You're so vain," She muttered. Genya chuckled softly and pushed Liliya's shoulders forward. Liliya willingly going along as the girl did her best to wash off the dirt and ease the tension in the redhead's muscles.

     Once Genya was done, she dried her hands and stood up, walking over to the vanity in the bedroom. Liliya didn't even have to look to know that Genya had headed in that direction but opened her eyes, turning to look over at her anyway. Liliya opened her mouth to say something but a knock on the door interrupted them.

     Genya answered the door, explaining that Liliya was in the bath and the servant passed a note over. Walking across to the bathroom again just with the note rather than what she had intended to grab. Liliya furrowed her eyebrows.

      "Is it from General Kirigan?" She asked. Genya shook her head and turned the note to her. It was from Botkin, "Of course, he wants me to help him. I sometimes wonder if he just hates me. Help me out," Liliya said as she pushed her hands onto the edge of the tub. Genya helping lift her out, grabbing a towel and offering it out to the redhead.

     Liliya grabbed it, wrapping it around herself as she stepped onto the tiles. Dripping wet across as she looked at herself in the mirror. She looked better at least. Genya came back a moment later with a new set of clothes and smiled.

     "I'll leave you to get ready. I might be back later," Genya said as she walked out of the bathroom. Liliya didn't really say anything and instead just looked down at her clothes. A soft huff escaping her lips. She wasn't annoyed per say about having to train but she was exhausted nonetheless.

***

     Liliya's day had been longer than she had expected and she found herself spending very little of it relaxing. Most of it was spent with Botkin and the training Grishas and the other half was spent in the library, trying to rest her aching limbs. The Healers could do wonders but Liliya didn't feel like going there twice in one day.

     It partly made her feel weak but the wounds weren't that visible so she didn't see the point in going to them yet. Everything was hidden snugly under her kefta and even if it hurt to work or hold things, she knew that she could push through. Liliya had worked to get to the position she was in and that training session with Botkin was really nothing compared to everything she had been through.

     Liliya walked through the pain as she crossed over to the doors into General Kirigan's chambers. She wasn't walking as elegantly as she had been a few hours earlier but not many people were around this late so the pressure on her had been eased a little. Liliya didn't care as much and she let herself limp once she had reached Kirigan's door. Her bruised knuckles rapping against the wooden door.

     The sound of shuffling could be heard and the door opened. General Kirigan was sat at his desk and the servant - of course - opened the door. Liliya stepped through, trying to keep the pressure on her less injured foot. It was difficult but she managed to get in front of his desk with minimal pain. Though her face said otherwise.

     "Leave us," Kirigan said and the door closed silently. He watched her for a moment before he gestured for her to sit down. The redhead let out a huff and moved to the chair, dropping into it. Her whole body relaxing against the hard wood. Her feet glad of the reprieve as they throbbed in pleasant pain. Liliya tried her best to stay composed, "Are the students besting you?" He asked curiously, lifting an eyebrow.

     "No. This was Botkin," Liliya said as she pushed herself to sit up a little straighter. Though somehow that made it worse as she felt the bottom of the chair dig into the skin of her thigh. Her hands curling into fists to stop herself from crying out, "He requested my presence this morning. I'm beginning to believe that he doesn't like me," The redhead added as she met the man's gaze. His coal black eyes boring into her.

     "You are one of his best students," Kirigan responded. A soft scoff escaped Liliya's lips as she adjusted her position again.

     "Don't flatter me. It won't make me forget how you lied," Liliya mumbled. The words more to herself than him but he heard anyway. He rested his hands against his desk, watching her with a curious gaze. He then moved to stand up and crossed the room to the door. He opened it and smiled to the servant.

     "Collect us tea from the kitchens. Get Liliya's favourite. It should have been restocked this afternoon," Kirigan ordered. The servant nodded, scurrying off. Liliya turned her head back to watch him, narrowing her eyes. She then pushed herself to stand up, her leg nearly giving out under her but she managed to push herself up.

     "You hate Assam tea," She stated. Kirigan shrugged and moved his hand to rest against the small of her back. He then guided her towards the armchairs that were nestled by the fire in his office. It was blazing high, a stockpile of wood in a box by it's side. Once he had ensured she was sat down comfortably, he grabbed a log and placed it in the fire.

     "Requesting your presence usually means he is glad to see you," Kirigan said. It took Liliya a moment to realise that he was talking about Botkin. Her head getting muddled from the constant switch in conversation.

     "I suppose," Liliya said as she adjusted in her seat. A soft hiss escaping her lips as she knocked a bruise on her arm. Her eyes squeezed shut as the pain spread up across her body before she let out a soft sigh. Opening her eyes again, letting out a deep breath, "I don't think you hurt people you care about this much," She mumbled softly. The General lifted his head to see the servant come back in. A tray of tea in his hand.

     He placed it down and Kirigan once again dismissed him. He leant forward and poured the tea for the two of them. He adding a sugar cube to hers before holding the cup and saucer out to her. Liliya cautiously reached out, taking it in her hands. It was shaking precariously and she placed it down on her lap once it was close enough.

     Her fingers wrapping around the cup, bringing it to her lips. She blew softly on the top of it before she took a sip. Letting the warm liquid fill her mouth, warm her up before she swallowed. Her fingers stayed wrapped tightly around the mug. Her freezing cold fingertips being warmed too. His office was always so cold.

     "Did you not go to the Healers?" He asked. Liliya shook her head, taking another long sip of tea before she replied.

     "I didn't see the need. I went this morning and these wounds aren't visible," She shrugged. Kirigan tutted softly but Liliya decided not to respond. Her hand reached down to the saucer and she placed it back on the table between them. His gaze didn't move of her for a second as she took another sip of the tea.

     "If we are going to fix your mistake, we will have to heal you. We need you to be fighting again," Kirigan explained. A casual-ness to his words that made her tentative smile turn to a scowl. Her hands moving down to her lap. The bottom of the cup resting against her thigh as she turned to look at him. The confusion spread across her face.

     "What mistake?" She asked but she already knew the answer. It was going to be about the child but she didn't understand why he was so desperate. The mission detail was vague when she first went out and he didn't seem to want to give up any information. That's why he never told her that it was a young boy in the first place.

     "You failed to bring me the child so we need to fix that," He said before he lifted the cup to his lips. He took a sip and she just watched him before her gaze flicked to the fire. Just the thought of going back to Shu Han sent dread running through her veins. It usually would not have bothered her. Danger surrounded her every day but where she had travelled to for Kirigan was somewhere she did not want to return to.

     The locals had been aggressive the first time and the constant threat of the Shu Han forces discovering them had left Liliya on edge. Going back a second time felt like asking for a death sentence and if the Shu Han forces weren't crawling the area, that would be lucky. It felt completely ridiculous but she knew she would have little choice.

     "Is the boy that dangerous?" Liliya asked, cocking an eyebrow. Kirigan stared at her for a moment before he took another sip of his tea. He then leant forward and placed the cup back with the saucer. His hands resting on his lap as he looked over at her.

     "Do you trust me?" He asked. Liliya shrugged. He waited for a moment, letting the silence fill the spaces between them. It quickly grew suffocating and with his intense gaze on the side of her head, she turned and looked at him.

     "I do," She responded. He smiled at her.

     "Good. Then you will come with me," He said. Liliya furrowed her eyebrows but placed the tea down, standing up as he did. He gestured for her to walk ahead and the two of them walked out of his chambers. The few Grisha that were milling around, watched with curious gazes. It was nothing more than innocent curiosity but they were not being subtle by any means.

     It took Liliya a little too long to realise that she was being directed to the Healers. Her head turned back but Kirigan didn't even acknowledge her. He just continued to guide her, keeping himself behind her and in control of the situation.

     Once they were inside, General Kirigan took a healer to one side. The two talking quietly amongst themselves before the Healer turned to face Liliya. The woman gestured for Liliya to follow and she did so, limping behind the curtains. It was there that she was made to strip down to her underwear and bra. Her gaze moved up to the ceiling as she heard the Healer mutter. They were words that Liliya chose to ignore and she instead focused on the ceiling of the infirmary. Admiring the stonework as she often did when she was In this room.

     "I hope not to see you here again for at least a week," The Healer warned as she finished healing the last bruise across Liliya's back. The redhead smiled and nodded, deciding against speaking. Then she was ordered to redress and she did so. It was nice to be able to work without the dull pain and when she stepped out, she didn't expect Kirigan to be stood there waiting. The perfect figure of composure.

     "Come with me. I had Genya pack you a bag of suitable clothes. I'm afraid you will have to change on the way. Ivan will accompany you," Kirigan explained as he gestured for her to walk ahead. Once again assuming control of the situation, leading her towards the front of the Little Palace. Kirigan had made up his mind and Liliya found herself bending to his will, "Let's hope that the boy doesn't get to you first," He added as he pressed his hand against the small of her back, pushing her into the carriage.

     Liliya walked to the seat, glancing at the door. The General was stood conversing with Ivan quietly before the two separated and he stepped up into the carriage to join her. But Liliya kept her gaze on the man for a moment before he turned and headed back into the Palace. The carriage door closed and they were heading to Shu Han once again.

***

author's note! i'm inspired for this fic?? so here's the first chapter hehe, idk how constant these updates will be but considering the show is coming out on the 22nd i hope it'll be pretty consistent, i've basically wrote out chapter 2 by this point but it's gotta have some finishing touches to it etc, but here is chapter 1! please excuse any grammatical errors, i will go over this hopefully in the morning (provided i remember) and fix anything glaringly obvious haha, but here's the first peek at my babies, i hope you enjoyed <3