03||THE WELCOME WAGON

Anya's limp form fell to the deck, the glow in her eyes diminishing before they closed and the sea calmed down. Alina sped towards her friend, cradling her in her lap as she tried to help her up. "Somebody help me carry her!" She demanded, looking around the deck with pleading eyes. There were many wounded and many dead but it could have been more. It could have been much more. Tamar staunched a bleeding Kesh, several of the other crew members tending to each other or closing the eyes of those that had passed on. Tolya stepped past the rest of the crew, drenched in sea water and partially covered in his and someone else's blood. Silently and carefully, he carried the unconscious raven-haired down below, the silence almost deafening as the eyes of the crew watched them go.

"Sankta Anya of the hurricanes." Some of them mumbled, bowing their head in reverence. 'Saint of the storm. Daughter of the True Sea.' They all thought. Nikolai surveyed his ship, counting the dead which were too many to name. One on the masts was barely hanging on, several of the sails were torn or taken down, their rags billowing in the winds. He saw the look in the eyes of his crew, the weight that everyone was carrying on their shoulders at this moment. The fact that his best friend, his sister, almost sacrificed her own life, just so he could have the slim chance of an escape, bothered him to no end, something that words couldn't properly describe. 'Never again.' He thought, guarding his heart and swallowing his guilt. "Nikolai." The young Starkov woman's voice carried throughout the air, pulling him out if his daze. He turned to see the Starkov woman, Mal holding her up and her hands blotted with blood.

Clothes were stained with blood. The deck was almost slick with it. The youngest Lantsov brother closed his eyes, swallowing before he nodded curtly and gathered himself. "The second mast needs to be mended. The sails need to be replaced. I trust you all know the plan in situations like this, for the wounded and dead?" The all-too-clever-fox asked his crew, everyone already nodding as they sprung into action. The durasts went to fix the mast and sails, the corporalki focusing on the wounded and dead as the one alkemi on the ship stepped towards the captain. "I will brew whatever I can to dull the pain." He said softly, his voice shaking just the smallest bit. "Go around with the corporalki first. Listen to what they need, Aerin." The privateer suggested, the young man nodding before he headed off.

The prince did his rounds, helping where he could, seconds, minutes, hours painfully trickling by. Eventually when twilight turned to dark, his boots hit the steps of the stairs that led him down, down, down until he stood in front of the door of his quarters. A cold, clammy feeling gripped his spine when he trudged inside, depositing the captain's coat on a hook before he looked into the mirror. A crooked nose, muddy green eyes with heavy bags underneath them, hair as red as copper, it was a face both familiar and strange that stared back at him. A means to an end to escape the cage that was his daily life. Nikolai leaned over a small basin filled with water, splashing it over his face to cool down as he grabbed a towel to dry off. Exhaustion seemed to settle in, his hands gripping the basin, but not as much as the pain that crept into ever inch of his being. If he had learned anything from growing up at the little palace, it was that wearing your heart on your sleeve would sooner or later get you killed.

After the youngest Lantsov brother cleaned himself up with gritted teeth and disinfected his wounds, he wrapped a bandage around his left arm from a stray bullet, as well as another on his right shoulder from one that had gone straight through, and donned his captain's coat once more, the all-too-clever-fox walked out the door, heading for the warrior woman's quarters. His eyes glanced at the floor, single droplets of blood dotting the floorboards on his way before he halted in front of his first mate's door. His hand shook before he flexed it, stretching his fingers as wide as he could to steady them, and knocked on the door. "Come in." A voice on the other side answered softly.

The door swung open softly, the floorboards creaking once more as the captain stepped inside, spotting a tired Tolya in a chair against the wall at the foot of the bed and the other grisha woman pacing on the other side. "How is our patient?" He wondered, trying to lighten the mood despite his rough voice. "Almost lost her a few times because her heart was going a mile a minute but she pulled through." The tall man responded, whipping his forehead. For the first time since the raven-haired had collapsed and he had walked inside the room, the privateer looked at her as she laid motionless in the bed, arms tucked at her side and dark hair swimming around her head on the pillow. "That's Anya. She does not give up and she does not surrender." He said solemnly.

"And how are you guys doing? I never thought one person could tire you out so much Tolya." He teased clapping him on his shoulders as the taller man shot him a look. "Normally it wouldn't. But something changed." The sun summoner abruptly stopped her pacing, heels digging into the wood. "You don't say? We only just saw her gain another power and decimate a hundred people! I mean, how is this even possible?" She blazed on. "Maybe it was destiny that Rusalye chose her. Maybe it was just pure coincidence. Either way, what I know is this. When she wakes up, she will be confused. And she will need us." The prince retorted, trying to calm the young Starkov woman down. "...you're right." She took a seat, clasping her unconscious friend's hand in her own, thumb stroking at the scales embedded in her skin as they ran up her arm like armor. "She needs us."

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The world around her seemed like a raging storm. Turbulent winds blew past her, scathing her skin as her eyes fluttered open. Horrid, twisted cries rang out all around her, their warped sound reaching her ears like scratching nails on a chalkboard. The Oryalen woman didn't know why she was in the fold or how she ended up here. The last thing she remember was the feeling of power coursing through her veins. Pure and utter power. Lightning and thunder echoed all around her, raising the hairs in her neck. "Hello?" she called out tentatively. This was a dream, it had to be. A chill ran down her spine and she could feel a set of eyes watching her from a distance, waiting. When she turned around, her dark hair billowing wildly in the wind, her obsidian eyes saw the figure up ahead.

"Who are you?" The young grisha woman asked out loud, hoping that her voice would be heard above the wildness around them. But the answer settled deep within her and she didn't need him to reply. Dread pooled at the bottom of her stomach, churning as he stepped closer and a flash of light showed his face, the three familiar gashes like deep claw marks running it down. "This isn't real." The inferni whispered to herself. She had killed him. Or at least, she thought she had. "And what if it is?" Kirigan responded, his voice almost cold. Her hands clenched at her side, something ancient stirring beneath her skin. And yet, when he stood so close that she could feel his presence, she knew it to be true. "No matter how much you try, you can never out run me. If you really think that I will so easily give up on my cause, then you don't know me at all." he uttered, clenching his jaw.

"Is your vision of the cause really good if it comes at the cost of the people you are so called trying to protect?" Anya retorted, standing strong and determined in front of him. "If you force others to bending the knee to you or dying, how much better are you then a common tyrant?" For a moment it was silent, even within the chaos that swirled around them, even with their locked eyes and hurt flitting in his. 'Soon, she'll see the truth. Everybody will.' he thought. "There was a time we were united in our beliefs." he uttered, his demeanor hardening once more, slipping on his mask with eased practice. The raven-haired scoffed at his words, a bitter chuckle leaving her lips. "Once, maybe. A long time ago. Before all the lies. Before all the tricks. Before...everything. But old ways won't open new doors."

A lump formed in her throat, despite the resentful look in her eyes, and she cursed herself for it. Why did she feel this way after everything he had done to her? Was it some sick, twisted sense of devotion that was still left in her? Or was it because he was was the first person that seemed to care in a long time since they first met? Whatever it was, the Oryalen woman knew that it was all a lie of his own making. 'You and I are going to change the world.' the words he had once told her when he saw the power she possessed with reverence infiltrated her mind without wanting to. The young grisha woman knew deep inside that she wasn't the first person he had spoken those words to and doubted she'd be the last. She turned her back towards him, walking off as she tried to navigate herself out of whatever dream landscape her mind had put her in. "Goodbye Kirigan." And then the light burst through her eyelids.

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With a surge forward and a pounding in her head, the inferni nearly jumped out of her bed with a gasp. The blaring, bright light of the lamps in the room pricked her eyes unpleasantly, closing them as she pinched the bridge of her nose. "Anya!" a voice exclaimed loudly before she felt their hand on her back. Suddenly the nauseating feeling of her heart going impossibly faster than it should, slowed softly, her breathing ragged as sweat gleamed on her forehead. "Saints, are you alright?" When Anya finally opened her eyes, the other dark haired woman's face stared back at her as she sat on the bed, worry and relief in her dark brown eyes. As she spoke, her voice was hoarse and dry, in desperate need for a drink. "As alright as I can be, I suppose." she replied with a cautious smile. "I'll get Alina and the others, okay?" The Shu woman asked carefully and the raven-haired could sense her apprehensiveness before nodding.

It wasn't long before the Keramzin woman burst through the door, Mal behind her and Nikolai on their heels with the young brunette and the Shu man in tow. She dashed to the bed as she sat down on it, stunning the Oryalen woman a little as she enveloped her in her arms. "Saints, I was so worried." she whispered with a wavering voice. "I'm okay now." She replied, tightening her arms around her friend, careful not to pull of the scarf she had tightly wrapped around her neck. Alina was still hiding the stag's antlers after all. The tracker seemed to let out a comforting sigh as the other heartrender nodded, somehow proud at her strength, while the 17 year old looked at her with admiration. The youngest Lantsov brother, with his copper hair, muddy green eyes and broke nose that were all so unlike him, stood to the side, unable to do anything but watch. And even then, even if he couldn't show anything because of the facade that was Stormhund, she knew that he felt nothing but relief.

"How is everyone else?" The young grisha woman asked, getting out from underneath the blanket. "A few casualties. Many wounded." The corporal responded. "It would have been more if it hadn't-" Kesh gave him a swift and subtle kick to the back of his legs so he would shut up, his sentence coming to a screeching halt. Suddenly, the joyous atmosphere was drained from the room, replaced by a more serious and strained tension. The inferni's legs hung off the side of the bed, her eyes staring at the floorboards below. Absentmindedly, her fingers stroked the iridescent, white-gold scales that ran up her arms until well above her elbow and below the rolled up sleeves of her shirt. It was as if they had multiplied and tangled their way up, like a second skin. "I know." Anya finally uttered.

"We're sending them off in a few minutes." The all-too-clever-fox finally said, his voice bitter. These were his friends after all. "I'll be there. I just...need a moment." The group nodded, most of them walking out of the room to let her catch her breath. She pushed herself off of the bed with shaking legs, the young Starkov woman's hand shooting out to support her as she walked but the raven-haired refused. "It's okay. I don't need any help." She responded with a tight lipped smile. Her friend nodded in understanding, shrugging on her own coat and holding it tightly as she walked out. With a sigh the Oryalen woman walked towards a mirror in a far off corner of the room, rubbing her face to wake herself up a little more before her eyes finally locked with those of her reflection.

She had expected dark bags under her eyes and an exhausted feeling but what she saw was anything but that. Her skin seemed to glow and her hair shinned, the longer tresses sliding off of her shoulders. The young grisha woman looked around in one of the drawers of the little cabinet below, pulling out the colorful sash the brunette had given her, dried and clean from all sea water, before using it to tie her hair back, missing a few strands and tucking them behind her ears. Pulling down her sleeves, the inferni put on her coat once more before walking out of Tamar's quarters and into the cold night. The air was tense, thick with sorrow and grief, as Anya walked on deck and felt many of the eyes turn to her, their whispered murmurs barely reaching her ears. Her vision was as clear as day as she overlooked the deck, some crew members turning away while some performed the mark of the saints.

"Miss Oryalen." The captain interrupted, walking over to her to break the silence. "We are honored that you could join us." He started. "I am honored to be here captain." She replied, keeping up her friend's ruse. The raven-haired went to stand besides the other grisha woman, the Oretsev man on her other side, before the dark haired woman grasped her hand. "It's good that you're here." she whispered so only she could hear. The privateer took a stand at the head of the group, the warrior woman standing at his right and Tolya on his left, the 17 year old standing in the crowd as they watched over the small boats on the water, the bodies shrouded in veils and keepsakes that they once held dear. The prince's voice boomed through the air, loud and steadfast, as he spoke. "We honor their ultimate sacrifice in our quest to find the sea whip. Let us bow our heads for the crew we lost today. Let the sea carry them to a safe harbor and may the saints receive them on a brighter shore."

The Oryalen woman's hands did as all the other's, performing the mark of of goodbyes you made when someone had left your life sooner than they had to. Sooner then you wanted them to. "May the saints receive them." she uttered, the cold air prickling her lungs as she watched the small boats set off. "Alina." Miradi called to the sun summoner after a moment as she stepped to the front. She took off the scarf that clung around her neck, so desperately hiding the stags antlers sticking out of her collarbone. The durast set the cleaned scales down on a barrel, holding one in her hands as she rolled up the sun summoner's sleeve up to her elbow. "Are you ready?" she asked. The Keramzin woman looked towards the young grisha woman with a question in her eyes. That if this was to much of an intrusion, she'd only need to say so.

But the inferni nodded because she knew that the scales and Rusalye's bones were hers to do with as she pleased. Somehow, wherever the creature was, it felt as if his presence was there, looming over her in the back of her mind. Alina turned to Miradi once more before nodding, the Zemeni woman placing the first scale above her wrist. One of her hands flexed, making a diving motion as the scale dove under the young Starkov woman's skin, the other hand holding hers as the latter of the two women hissed softly when it dug into her. For a split second after it was done, a stream of power coursed up the other grisha woman's arm, setting her veins alight as it made it's path upwards until it stretched to her other arm, reaching to the tips of her fingers. "I'm okay." the sun summoner stated as she spotted Miradi's inquiring look. The durast nodded again before moving to her other arm.

Once more, the scale touched the Keramzin woman's skin above her wrist, the other woman's hand flexing while she held it, the scale digging deep into her skin before it settled to a stop. Another streak tangled its way up her friend's arm but this time, the light from the other scales rose up to meet its other half in the center of her chest. Power surged through the air as the sun summoner weave her hands, light pulsing off of her in waves. Many people on deck took a step back because of the brightness and because of how it shook the seas and yet Anya stood right in its path in spite of it. Her eyes lit up and a strange feeling spread itself in her chest. Who was Alina to be given what was hers? Why should she get the stag and the sea whip? It was almost as if a dark and haunting song had filled her ears before realization dawned on her. She had made the choice to let the young Starkov woman have it. So she could fight the darkling by her side. Because she was her friend.

The raven-haired shook her head out of her daze, the strange feeling of jealousy dissipating from her veins. The waves grew wild, impetuous and dangerously unstable, as the other grisha woman remained in some sort of trance. "Alina!" she shouted but it was to no avail. Besides her, Mal stepped forward, fighting his way through the blasts of light and harsh winds before he reached her, taking her hand in his. He pulled her close, holding her in his arms with a tight hug as the bursts of light seemed to calm down before they completely stopped. The sun summoner nearly collapsed in her trackers arms but managed to stay upright. As she drew in a deep breath, her eyes scanned the scale above each of her wrists, studying the new additions to her body.

"How are you feeling?" The Oryalen woman asked, standing closer to her friend as the crowd seemed to get back to their assignments. "I feel...strange." she muttered, her brow furrowed into a deep crease on her forehead. "Like its too much and just right all together?" the young grisha woman responded, adding onto the Keramzin woman's train of thought. Her friend merely muttered in agreement, mesmerized by the scales as one of her fingers skimmed over its ridges. "How do you do it?" she suddenly asked. "How do I do what?" The inferni wondered, this time a look of confusion written across her own face. "Live with...this." Alina answered, merely stretching her arms. "All of this. Doesn't it ever get too much?"

Anya pondered over her words, weighing her options carefully before she spoke. "I had David merge these scales into my arms. But I had them before, when I was in Ketterdam and Kesh found me." she started. "I have no idea why Rusalye chose me or if there ever even was a reason in the first place. What I do know, is this. We take it one day, one step, at the time and see where our path takes us. And sooner or later, we will forget that these amplifiers were never a part of us at first to begin with." she finished, handing the young Starkov woman her scarf back that had somehow fallen down, helping her wrap it around her neck. "Wise words from a wise woman." The other grisha woman joked. "You make it sound like I am ancient. I will gladly remind you that I'm not and that I could still floor you." The raven-haired retorted, making the sun summoner snort loudly as they headed back down below for the night.

As their feet hit the floorboards below, the whispering of the group had suddenly gone to halt. "What?" The Oryalen woman asked with a confused laugh. "We need to talk about what happened." Nikolai started. "Well many things have happened, so you'll need to be more specific." She retorted, earning an arched eyebrow from her friend. "The battle with Kirigan. You...controlling the seas." he replied with a serious look. "It is something that needs to be discussed." Tamar added. "Well what do you want me to say?" The young grisha woman asked incredulously with a sigh. "I barely know what happened myself." she answered, crossing her arms. "This has never been done before. I wasn't even sure if something like this was possible." Kesh turned to them, her arms crossed and a thought on the tip of her tongue. "Not in recorded history anyway. Saints know how many things have been lost to time."

"If words get out that I can do things that even a normal grisha can't, it will put an even bigger target on our backs. Which is the last thing we need right now." the inferni almost hissed through her teeth. "Drüskelle and their sympathizers already hunt us enough." she added, her nostrils flaring. "That may be true but word will get out about it anyway!" The Keramzin woman wormed in between, nervousness settling into the grisha woman's stomach. "You can't escape this Anya." The tall man said with a worried glance, everyone staring at Anya. Their eyes seemed to follow her every move, with every breath she took. Agitation rose up as she tried to reign in the adrenaline rush and anger that was taking root inside her. "This is who you are now, Anya! You can't hide part of who you are just because you're afraid of what you can do!" The heartrender rebuked, the raven-haired flexing her neck.

"ENOUGH!" She howled, a cord snapping. They all stared at her in utter silence. "What?" A growl escaped her lips, one that was distinctly less human and more akin to that of a monster. Her eyes had turned as white as the Fjerdan permafrost. "That." The tracker said, pointing towards a mirror that hung on the wall. Slowly and daunting, the Oryalen woman stood in front of it, her own eyes wide. The harshness of the white was something she was not used to, a stark contrast to the darkness that they usually had in them. She leaned in closer, her heart raced faster by the second as her hands clenched and her knuckles turned white. Forcefully closing her eyes as she clenched and unclenched her them over and over, she swallowed nervously, willing herself and her eyes to turn back to normal.

A hand rested on her shoulder. "Don't." she almost snapped. When she opened her eyes once more, they had returned to their normal shade. The young grisha woman took a deep breath, smoothing any hairs that had escaped her tied hair as she clenched her jaw, settling back into her normal demeanor. 'Show people you feel something and it will be your death.' a voice nagged inside her, loudly and insistent, eager for survival. She swiveled back around the group, most of them taking an unconscious step backwards. "I need rest." The inferni simply stated, her mask slipping back in front of her with ease as she started to walk away from them all and towards the back of the ship before laying down on a camp bed tucked away from the rest. This was going to be a long night.

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When morning finally came and the bright rays of the sun burst through the clouds, the youngest Lantsov brother flipped open his compass a second time, eyeing the needle that swayed North and, at the horizon, West-Ravka's coast line bordered by the swath of darkness that was the fold even further ahead. Anya stood next to him on the deck, her coat hugging her tightly in the harsh winds that pushed the three-masted ship forward. "Almost home." She stated calmly and yet, he could tense a tinge of cautiousness in her behavior. "That we are my dear friend." he replied, pocketing his lucky compass once more.

"So what are we going to do when we get there? I mean it's not exactly like we have the right papers to cross the fold." Alina remarked as walked up to them. "Oh you'll see." The all-too-clever-fox replied with the grin of a Cheshire cat before walking down below. "I will never understand that man." the young Starkov woman remarked with a huff. "Oh believe me, I think not a lot of people do." The raven-haired replied with a snort. "You seem to get along great with him, it seems." the other grisha woman said with a raised eyebrow. "Really? I guess, he's okay. Bit pretentious though." the Oryalen woman answered, trying not to laugh out loud.

The thudding of boots walking up the stairs could be heard, the two grisha turning around to see the captain, the Shu woman, the Shu man, the young brunette and a small group behind them emerge with thick goggles on their heads, handing the two of them and the corporal a pair of their own. "Why do we need these?" Mal asked with a raised eyebrow as the trio followed them towards the back of the ship, rising the small set of stairs that separated a part of the ship from the rest. Without a word, the captain's hands rested on a lever. "PREPARE TO DECOUPLE!" he shouted loudly as he pulled the lever down, a smaller set of sails unfurling as two squallers of the group directed their winds into them. The ship lurched forward, forcing Mal, the sun summoner and the others to sit down.

"Best put those on." The 17 year old said with a smiled, nodding to the goggles the young grisha woman held in her hands before she did so. "You're coming with us? Won't it be dangerous for you?" the inferni wondered. "Oh I insisted on coming. Now, I would pay attention if I were you." the young girl retorted. Suddenly, a loud clacking sound filled the air for a split second and the back of the ship started to rise into the air. "Holy shit." The Keramzin woman muttered in disbelief as she carefully approached the railing. "Mal you have to see this!" she yelled excitedly. "No thanks. I'm good here." He replied rather quickly, clutching the bench below him. The inferni ventured to the sides, looking into the distance as they were rapidly approaching West-Ravka. The sea glinted below them, quickly changing to familiar sandbanks.

The two squallers pushed the flying ship forward as two tidemakers pulled the clouds towards them, in an attempt to cloak the group from the people below. "So? What do you think? I call her The Hummingbird!" The privateer announced proudly. "This is amazing!" Anya uttered, her eyes wide as she stretched her arm over the railing, enjoying the wind streaking past her fingers. "It took many tries and many crashes but eventually, we got to this beauty. Works like a charm too." he noted. "Guys. Why are we getting closer to the fold?" The tracker asked nervously. "Well, the king of Ravka is on the other side of the fold. Ergo, so is my payment. And besides, with two amplifiers now, who know what you'll be able to do. I say it's worth a try." The prince responded, earning a panicked look from Alina. "This was not the deal Sturmhond." she almost hissed. "Oh but it is. You wanted to get to Ravka, right? Pray do tell on how you planned on getting to the other side?" he asked briskly. "That's what I thought." Nikolai stated harshly when she didn't answer.

As he turned to look ahead of him, Anya stood at his side, their backs turned towards the rest. "You could have been a little nicer to her just now." she whispered. "Maybe. But soon, we'll be in a vipers nest and won't have time to play nice. You know that better than anyone." he replied. Slowly but surely, darkness started to overtake the air around them, the dark clouds of the unsea swallowing them whole as they entered. The air had turned colder, almost to the point of freezing, now that all light had gone. The atmosphere had grown more tense, as if everyone was holding their breaths. The horrid cries of volcra rang in the distance, growing closer by the second. "Now would be the time to use your light, Miss Starkov." The youngest Lantsov brother whispered almost soundlessly.

The young Starkov woman positioned herself at the center of the deck, closing her eyes in concentration before weaving her hands in a complicated pattern, white-golden light flowing from her palms. The light burned away all the darkness that it touched, encasing the Hummingbird completely. The raven-haired swallowed, her fingers tapping against her on palms nervously, looking all around her in case a volcra showed up. In a split second, the light that pulsed off of the other grisha woman in waves grew more erratic, like an uneven heartbeat. The group whipped their heads around, trying to see what was happening. The dark haired woman's eyes were shut tightly, an alarmed look written across her face. Suddenly her eyes flew wide open, a desperate gasp for air leaving her lips as she fell towards her knees, clutching her chest as the corporal caught her and the light completely receded.

Volcra howled as they flew closer, somehow now with more, and everyone on edge as they grabbed hold of their guns. "Not again. Saints, I hate these things." The Oryalen woman muttered underneath her breath. The other heartrender and Tamar's hands shot out, feeling the heartbeats of the monsters that echoed around them, quickly drawing closer, as Kesh pulled put her knife, the captain reaching for his gun, Mal readying his rifle and the grisha on the ship keeping their keen eyes on the darkness around them. Large shapes blew past, their shouts ear-deafening as they started to dive for the Hummingbird. Their claw dug into the wood of the railing, the crow's nest snapping as they tore the sails and snapped their razor sharp teeth at the small crew. Before any of them had even properly realized it, gun shots ran out, volcra dropped dead to the group and the ship was plummeting towards it as well.

The young grisha woman's hands gathered themselves, mighty bursts of flames igniting dozens of the creatures, lighting up the fold together with the sun summoner's light. The two squallers abandoned their now-futile posts as they pushed the monsters together with furious gales as the two tidemakers pulled waters from the barrels, piercing them with it. "Everyone hold on!" The young brunette shouted as she noticed the fold slowly growing thinner. Lightning burst through the air, illuminating a giant swath of volcra right on their heels. "We're not going to make it if we don't do something!" The tracker shouted. The inferni's obsidian eyes darted around hastily, spotting a few untouched barrels of water. For a second, her concentration wavered and she realized that she stood before a choice. A choice that was thought to be impossible for any grisha.

Anya shut her eyes, clenching her hands into fists as they lit up the dark around her and fire bloomed at their center before positioning herself at the end of the ship. Parts of the blaze flitted in front of her, small, hovering embers gathering themselves together until an illuminating blade of flames had formed. Her hands went up as she took a deep breath, guiding the air into her lungs before she lunged, the energy that surged through her launching the attack forward. Dozens if not hundreds of cries were silence in the storm, the smell of smoke and charred skin crinkling in the air. And when lighting reverberated one last time, the only volcra that were near were too far away to get to them. The hairs on her arms stood upright, something shifting in the air before the burst through the surface of the fold, light burning all around them.

"EVERYBODY PREPARE FOR LANDING!" The privateer shouted as the Hummingbird continued to plummet rapidly. The raven-haired grabbed hold of a mast, nearly digging her fingers into the wood before the bottom of the ship barreled into the ground, sails falling down, people clutching tightly to whatever they were holding and wood snapping all around them. After a minute or two had passed and the adrenaline had ebbed away, the crew slowly crawled out of the wreckage when a group of soldiers neared on the horizon. "Well that was...quite the harrowing trip." The 17 year old mumbled under her breath as she took of her goggles. "Well it got us into Ravka didn't it? So I'd say it's a success!" The prince chimed in as he replied. "Watch out guys." The Oryalen woman stated as she took off her goggles, eyes narrowed at the approaching mass. "We've got company incoming."

"You have illegally crossed onto Ravkan soil. We urge you to identify yourselves or we will shoot." the older, weathered man at the front of the group commanded. The young grisha woman's eyes scanned over his uniform, taking in the medals and marks of the man's rank in the first army. Slowly, Nikolai's form walked out from behind his friends, shedding his blue captains coat as he handed it over to Tolya, goggles still firmly in place, combined with a grin and riffles pointed at his face when he approached the soldiers. "Have I changed that much Raevsky?" He jested, hands taking off his goggles. Even from behind him, the inferni recognized his tussled, blond locks and knew he had a disarming smile on his face. "I know it's been a number of years but people swear that I remain boyishly handsome."

The colonel's furrowed brow relaxed, replaced by a look of shock and realization on his face. "Moi tsarevich?" he asked perplexed. It was like Nikolai's old commander had lost the ability to speak for a single moment when he looked at him before turning back to his troop. "I present to you, Nikolai Lantsov! Major of the 22nd regiment. Soldier of the King's Army, Grand Duke of Udova, and Second Son to his Most Royal Majesty, King Alexander the third, Ruler of the Double Eagle Throne." One bye one, as if they were a single wave, the soldiers knelt in front of the group, laying down their weapons. "You have got to be kidding me." The corporal muttered under his breath in annoyance. "Holy crap." Kesh almost shouted. The youngest Lantsov brother tilted his head with an amused smile.

"And the greenest, most useless grunt you ever had the displeasure of training, as I recall your words." he responded to the older man with a chuckle. "I wanted to come sooner but I was carrying precious cargo." he added, gesturing behind him to Keramzin woman and the inferni. His nose was no longer crooked and his eyes had returned to their vibrant blue color, filled with mischief as the corners of his lips curled upwards. "Call me cargo again Lantsov and we'll see what happens." Anya retorted with an arched eyebrow as she crossed her arms again. "I present to you, our future saviors, Alina Starkov and Anya Oryalen." The raven-haired could see the spark that started to bloom in some of their eyes. It was something both familiar and yet so foreign. It was the first sign of light in the dark, it was finding something good against all odds. It was hope when all else had gone from their hearts.

"Sol Koroleva, Drakon Sankt'ya. We thought you were dead." Raevsky answered in shock. Alina, after tearing off her goggles, threw them harshly to the ground before marching over to a smiling prince and the Oryalen woman could swear she saw smoke coming out of her ears. She pulled back her fist and bashed it into the side of Nikolai's face. Mal quickly ran towards her to pull her back, the onlookers eyes watching the scene unfold before them as the all-too-clever-fox composed himself, rubbing his jaw. "Told you she'd clock you." The young grisha woman chipped in with a shrug as she stepped forward. The young Starkov woman's head swiveled around, an incredulous look on her face. "Wait, you knew who he was? Since when?" she almost hissed. "From the moment I saw him. But it wasn't my place to tell." The inferni started. "If I know one thing about Nikolai, it's that he always does things for a reason. Sometimes you just need to figure out what that reason is."

Taking a deep breath and adopting a serious look on his face, the fawn blond turned towards his former training officer. "What's the status?" he questioned, as the soldiers started to help the crew with whatever they were carrying and any minor injuries they might have as the large group started to walk towards their camp. "The king is still very ill. The queen resides in her chambers at the Grand Palace because they don't want her to contract the same disease." the colonel replied quickly. "And what about my brother? What about Vasily?" The youngest Lantsov brother urged with a demanding tone, the slightest tinge of worry in his voice. "Vasily  is...not the best military strategist. He searches for Kirigan and his crew while neglecting his attention towards Fjerda." The privateer let out a deep sigh at the words.

"Yes, well, my brother isn't really known for his thoughtful decision making." he replied curtly, pinching the bridge of his nose. "You don't say?" Anya added with a slightly mocking tone. "I think most of us appreciate his efforts despite of that fact." Her eyes looked up ahead, eyeing the tents that started to pop up around them and the people that had remained there, their eyes bulging at the sight of the group. Words and mumbles of praise were uttered as they started to settle down for the night, the crew dispersing into the camp. While the two squallers and two tidemakers split off to a tent of their own, another group of soldiers had put up three new ones. One had the royal coat of arms adorning its side, clearly meant for the prince. The other two however were different, simple, like all the others if it weren't for the symbols that were quickly painted on their sides.

The raven-haired overlooked the canvases, eyeing the blazing sun on one and a grand flame curling around itself on the other. Dusk was starting to fall, the last rays of sunlight cresting on the horizon, illuminating their forms as it slowly started to sink. The tracker and the other grisha woman quickly ducked away as Tolya and Tamar into their own tent when no one was looking but the Oryalen woman saw the sun summoner's eyes linger on the symbol with worry, her hand unconsciously grasping the scarf that was still tightly wrapped around her neck. "Can I sleep in your tent?" Kesh asked as she interrupted her train of thought, suddenly popping up next to the young grisha woman. "Ara snores." the young girl explained, yawning loudly as she did. "Sure. Don't take up all the space though." the inferni retorted with a chuckle before the young brunette disappeared behind the flap of the tent.

Anya looked back, eyes settling on the fold as she felt the dying warmth of the sun on her back, wind whipping her hair back. "I know that look." A voice said, its presence dawning up behind her. "And pray do tell, what look do I have?" the raven-haired asked with an arched eyebrow. "It's the look you get when you're creating a plan. I know it because we've both got it." Nikolai retorted, but somehow the chuckle he let out didn't quite reach his eyes. "Maybe. I just..." she started, taking a deep breath as she gathered her thoughts. "Something feels...different this time." she finished. "Different how?" he wondered, looking down at her. "Whatever is coming, I can't help but feel like it's final." she responded, unsure of what her own words meant and whether or not they were on omen of what was to come.

The fawn blond swallowed as he turned around towards her, his back turned to the swat of darkness. "Whatever it is, we will win. Just like we have before." he said solemnly, his face stern when he clasped her shoulder. "I am going to turn in for the night. Being important does that to a person." Before he could go, with one hand on the tent flap, the Oryalen woman's words halted him in his tracks. "Nikolai?" She asked so softly that almost no one could hear her but him. "Hm?" he hummed when he looked at her. "I'm glad that you're here." she whispered with a smile. "Me too." he replied. For once his smile wasn't something he was hiding behind or something he was using as a front for any part of who he was or what he was planning. It was him. Just him, the way he really was. "Good night." The young grisha woman said as she walked into her own tent, curling up into a blanket on her designated cot. Even when it seemed like they had nothing and no one in the world, they would at least have each other. And sometimes that was more than enough.

°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°
What better way is
there to start 2024
then with a new chapter
of almost 7.5k words?

Disclaimer: this chapter
has been largely written
and edited when
listening to Mario
music cause I heard
how it helps with
studying and work etc.
Yet I got distracted
the 2nd time I tried
and wondered if I
could play Mario games
on my laptop at 11PM
on a Wednesday. The
answer you are looking
for my dear friends, is yes.
By the way, writing
a serious scene while
the background music
suddenly changes into
something upbeat and
sounding like it would be
played in one of those
stereotypical movies that
takes place in Hawai'i?
Very weird.

Also have I told you
guys already to go
watch KATE and
Renfield on netflix.
(At least, they are
om netflix Belgium)
Get back to me when
you have and you
will understand why
I recommended them lol.

Also, I know that
it has been a
literal 3 months since
I last updated and
that I finished AWS in
a little over a
year but still.
I was also working
on yet another
video edit but I am
currently in a creative
drought for that so
yeah...

Also had a little
trouble writing this
chapter but I think
that it came out
pretty nicely in
the end lmao.

Anyways, I hope
you guys enjoyed
this chapter and I
wish you all a
Happy New Year!!!