As cute and sickening the boy and girl were lying unconscious in the middle of the deck, Valeriya wasn't having it. Despite her suggestion of kicking them to wake them up - Zoya dismissed that idea with a glare - Zoya and Valeriya were stuck babysitting the unconscious duo as a Healer tended to the girl and the Otzaykaya medics hoisted the boy and took him away.

Valeriya's head was pounding against her skull and she wanted to squish the lungs of the Otxakaya who knocked her out. The pain in her head made her reminiscent of when her prince accidentally smashed her head in the fountain. A small smile ghosted across her face as she remembered the bruise she left on his stomach from punching him.

"How many more of you are there?" the Healer, Esabel, asked, maneuvering her hands above the Shu girl's chest sensing the damage. Valeriya admired Healers, she'd tried that craft and was somewhat decent at it, but destruction was her forte. It was easier to harm than to undo it.

Zoya crouched down, her eyes hawk-like on Esabel's movements. "Ten, maybe twelve of us, I think."

Before Esabel could even think, the Shu girl gasped and tried to sit up - spooking Esabel. Valeriya reached forward and pushed the groaning girl back down. The girl tried again to sit up, a confused look on her face, but Valeriya's hand held her in place.

Esabel's pursed her lips and said, "Hold! Your collarbone is fractured."

"So stop moving," Valeriya muttered through her teeth, baffled at the girl's instance to move.

The girl clearly paid no mind to Valeriya's words as she continued wiggling. "Mal, " the girl breathed out, her voice quivering from pain, "the tracker! Where is he?"

Valeriya assumed she meant her cuddle buddy, but Valeriya didn't care enough to clarify.

"Otkazat'syas go to medical," Esabel said, her voice tender and calming, once again displaying a trait that made Valeriya unable to be a Healer - she didn't really care about making others comfortable.

As Valeriya's gaze wandered back to the Shu girl, she didn't miss the bewilderment in her eyes while she watched Esabel mend her collarbone. Turing her attention to Zoya, Valeriya watched as Zoya swept back her bangs, grime, and blood leaving a trace on her fingers. Valeriya didn't even want to imagine the state she was in based on Zoya's ruffled appearance. She met Valeriya's eyes and gave a slight nod toward the General's tent, indicating their next movements.

"Bring her to the General's tent," Zoya ordered, her voice unwavering as she addressed Esabel.

"Who?" came the Shu girl's voice, but it was ignored.

"But I'm not done yet," Esabel commented, appearing slightly annoyed, and made no indication of moving from the Shu girl's side.

Zoya began walking off the skiff, Valeriya quickly moving in front of her.

"You can go with her."

As they walked off the ramp connecting the skiff to the dock, Valeriya turned to Zoya, placing a hand on her best friend's shoulder.

"You know," Valeriya started, causing Zoya to stop walking at the end of the ramp, "that commanding shit is hot, do the Otkazat'syas love it when you boss them around?"

Zoya smacked Valeriya on the back of her head, causing a hiss to emerge from the brunette. "We almost died and had a human sunburst and you're saying that bullshit?" She questioned, annoyed.

"Obviously."

Zoya just scoffed at her and gave her an eye-roll before turning on her heel and walking toward the General's tent. Valeriya rubbed the back of her head and followed, muttering profanities under her breath.

After a particular comment about being a stick in the mud (with much more cursing involved), Zoya called over her shoulder, "Maybe instead of bitching you can prepare for making David cry."

Zoya ducked into the tent before Valeriya had a chance to find something to throw at her. As Valeriya went inside the tent and found her place among the other Grisha, she finally looked down at her kefta to see the damage. David would have some work to do for sure; there was blood on it (not Valeriya's), dirt, some charred spots, and a couple of rips from the volcra that she hadn't even realized touched her. Valeriya could imagine the tears in his eyes - David didn't express emotion much, but Valeriya knew the disdain he had for her knack of destroying keftas. They were supposed to be damn near indestructible, but they couldn't best Valeriya.

"Alferova, your head okay?" a Healer, Tobin, whispered from his spot behind Valeriya. She shrugged in response, but before she commented on it being fine, she felt the warm sensation Grisha healing brought to your body.

"Thanks, T," She whispered back.

The whispers from the small crowd of Grisha subsided as the General's guards escorted the Shu girl into the tent. They stood mere feet from Valeriya's place in the front row of the crowd and Valeriya's mind echoed with the uncontrollable heartbeat in the Shu girl's chest.

The Grisha watched in anticipation of what was to come. The Sunburst of a girl was a story that traveled fast through the ranks, everyone wanting to know if it was true. Did they find the Sun Summoner?

General Kirigan made his presence known to the girl with a single command, "Bring her closer." His back was turned to the room, to the Shu girl. His black kefta made him stand out against the colorful Grisha by his side. Zoya stood near Kirigan, acting as his right hand. Valeriya'd spoken out about her friend's loyalties to the man but her words fell on deaf ears.

The guards obeyed and brought the girl closer and let her go, shoving her towards Kirigan. She walked a few steps forward before stopping. Kirigan turned, dramatic essence filling the room.

Valeriya had to admit that he was a handsome man, but power turned beauty to darkness with a man like Kirigan, greed spoiling the blood running through his veins. Getting close to a man like that was dangerous.

"Closer," Kirigan said, his face unreadable. The Shu girl looked around as if waiting for someone else to speak. She drew in a deep breath and took one hesitant step forward.

Valeriya sighed, her mind trying to stay focused on what was unfolding in front of her. Valeriya couldn't deny that she saw light on the boat before she was hit, but it had to be some sort of device that detonated near the girl. There was no way in hell that this girl of all people could be the Sun Summoner. There was no way that someone that powerful could be missed.

"Well?" said Kirgian, his eyebrows raising. This seemed to be a joke to him.

"Well what?" The Shu girl snapped, then, panicking, added, "Sir." Valeriya liked her sass.

"What are you?" Kirigan asked, seemingly enjoying patronizing the girl. He didn't move from his place.

"Alina Starkov, Assistant Cartographer, Royal Corps of Surveyors."

Alina was a very Ravkan name for a girl who looked so Shu. Valeriya was becoming more intrigued by the girl.

"They're all gone," Alina continued. This girl had to be in shock. Her words didn't make sense to Valeriya. "It's my fault. That's why I'm here, isn't it?"

Kirigan held up his hand in a gesture to stop her from rambling. "Answer the question," he ordered, "What are you?" He leaned back on his desk, acting unbothered.

None of the observing people moved. Zoya moved slightly in near the Grisha and stood shoulder to shoulder with Valeriya. No words were shared between anyone. Silence filled the room, only the sounds of breathing and heartbeats filled Valeriya's ears.

"A mapmaker, sir," Alina said, clearly confused by his question. People around the room laughed. Valeriya let out a snort (liking the girl more and more) but Zoya remained stoic, elbowing Valeriya in the ribs for her reaction, turning the snort into a groan.

"Quiet," Kirigan commanded and the laughter stopped immediately.

"So who saw what happened?" He asked, his eyes scanning the crowd. Valeriya knew she didn't have anything useful to offer thanks to the bastard who knocked her out. Spacing out, Valeriya fantasized about beating up some of the First Army boys in one of their little fight rings.

She vaguely heard Zoya explain the events of the Fold to Kirigan after being called upon by him. Valeriya didn't care to listen to the details, since Zoya hadn't seen much of anything either.

"Valeriya," Kirigan called out, continuing his truth search, "How about you?"

Valeriya internally groaned. She wished her morbid curiosity hadn't forced her to follow Zoya into this stupid fucking meeting. She just wanted a bath, not to be put on the spot.

"Zoya didn't lie," she started, not planning on continuing except for the glare coming from Zoya. "I only saw a flash before some Otkazat'sya flung his gun at my head and that light became pretty dark."

Zoya stamped on Valeriya's foot for her crude description. Zoya didn't like how loose Valeriya could be, she was stressed enough and Valeriya's mouth only made her stress worse.

Kirigan pursed his lips and nodded. He should have known that Valeriya wouldn't be a very reliable source. She didn't really try to hide her disdain for the man. Sure she was respectful, but the sarcasm couldn't be hidden.

A man Valeriya didn't know spoke up. "It was her," he said, pointing a shaky finger at Alina.

"Our mapmaker," the Darkling said. Valeriya wasn't sure if he was taunting her or not, but Valeriya knew it was best to assume he was.

The Darkling continued, turning his gaze from the general room to Alina, "Is this true? Can you summon light?"

Alina was quick to shake her head no. Her eyes were wide and her heart pounded loudly and faster. Kirigan shook his head, mimicking the girl with his face molded into fake fear. He was most definitely mocking her now.

"Where did you grow up?" Kirigan asked, changing the direction of the conversation.

"Keramzin," came Alina's fast reply. Each time she replied her heartbeat quickened.

Kirigan hummed in response, seemingly becoming bored. "And when were you tested?" he asked.

Alina's heartbeat moved at the fastest past Valeriya'd heard yet and her response didn't come. She was hiding something. Alina was never tested. Interesting.

"You don't remember?" Kirigan prompted, "Well, let us just make certain." He walked toward Alina, moving around his ring so the pointy end was forward. Valeriya tensed, unsure of what was to come.

"Lift up your sleeve," it was clear he wasn't asking.

Alina's eyes darted, her ever-so-fast heart moving quicker. "What's happening?" she responded, her voice meek and quiet.

"Your sleeve. Please," the Darkling commanded once more. She rolled up her sleeve slightly.

Valeriya spun the necklace around her neck, missing the presence of her other one, in anticipation. He was going to find out if she was Grisha or not. Kirigan pushed Alina's sleeve up even higher and took hold of her arm.

He scratched his ring along her wriggling arm, drawing a thin gold line along her pale skin. Before any words could enter Valeriya's mind to explain the reaction, light burst free from her arm, filling the tent and erupting from any space it could.

The only thing filling Valeriya's head was what the fuck just happened?

author's note!

Hello everyone! I'm so sorry that this chapter is out so late!  I originally intended for the update to be pushed back to yesterday.  However, when I went to open Wattpad, it refused to load on my laptop.  I tried again earlier this morning and had no luck.  So, I'm posting this chapter from my phone, so I apologize if the format is off.

Anyway, what did you guys think of the chapter? 

I will try to find a way to start updating on time and I will attempt to update next Wednesday.

Bye!

(edited 14.12.2023:  editing makes me realize how messy this story was lol, so new Vale is an idgaf girl...  oops? also peep the new title gifs)