Blood Soldiers: The Second Army - Grishaverse Prequel

13 - Aleksander

Aleksander wasn't sure what he'd been expecting, but as he saw the three people waiting just outside the edge of the camp, he realised who or rather what they were. Grisha, who'd finally come to their senses. He couldn't hide his sigh of relief.

The Grisha soldiers hadn't even noticed them yet, but as they stepped into the light they got to their feet.

Yelena stopped a few metres away from them, "Good evening. I don't suppose you're looking to join us?"

One of the boys stepped forward, looking barely twenty years old, "Yes, we saw you today. We've come to learn too."

"And your name is?" Aleksander asked, stepping forward, the other Grisha parting for him.

"Roman Petrovich. Sir," the boy added uncomfortably.

"Well Roman, perhaps you could introduce your friends to us too? And your abilities?"

Roman nodded, pointing out his friends, "Lidia can summon water, Averina can manipulate metals and I can summon wind."

Aleksander didn't miss the slight wrinkle of Yelena's nose. She wanted more Heartrenders, but it seemed that would have to wait.

"Very well," Aleksander opened his arms wide, "Welcome to the Second Army."

The Grisha's eyes went wide, "An army?" one of them asked.

"A Grisha army?" another said.

"That's so cool," Roman said, eyes sparkling.

"Do we get coats like those?" one of the girls asked. "I'd definitely like a red one."

Yelena sucked in a breath, "You will get a kefta when we make some more. We need materials for them, but yes, you will have one. And no, you can't just have a red one."

The girl's face dropped.

Yelena went on, "There are three Grisha orders, the Corporalki," she gestured to herself, "Those able to manipulate the body. The Etherealki, who are the order of summoners, which you two are. Finally, the Materialki, the order of Fabrikators. We will train you to use your abilities and in turn, you will help us grow our army and fight against those who would see us destroyed."

Wide-eyed, the new Grisha nodded excitedly.

"Will you be staying with us tonight?" Yelena asked.

The new Grisha looked amongst themselves, "No, we'll have to return home. No one...no one really knows we came."

Aleksander realised what that meant, "You will have to leave them behind to come with us. But I assure you, it won't be forever. Besides, what greater mission is there than this? Freeing our people? Seeing them empowered and treated with the respect they deserve?"

One of the girls stepped forward, Lidia, he recalled, "I will return tomorrow, and then I'll travel with you. I am tired of living life in the shadow." She looked to Sonya, their Tidemaker, "I look forward to learning from you."

Sonya smiled at her and the others nodded along too, before bidding them goodnight. They would return early tomorrow morning to begin their training, and to pronounce to the world that they weren't afraid of what they were, that they wouldn't hide any longer.

Once they left their little camp broke into excited conversations, each of them elated that they were finally growing their ranks. They went to bed shortly after, eager to get a head start on tomorrow.

Yelena retired early, tired after the big day she'd had, but Aleksander stayed up a little while longer, watching the dying embers of their fire pit as Marko and Elitza kept watch.

It was really happening. Leaving Yelena's little town had been one thing, but finally recruiting new members, showing the world what they could do was another thing entirely. He wished his mother were here to see it, to see his success. He felt her absence but wasn't as bothered by it as he'd once been. His mother had been all he'd really had for over a hundred years.

Honestly, it felt good to finally break away from her and her constant belittling. He loved her, and he knew that she loved him, but at the same time, it was nice to have time away from her. And to be with Yelena.

The thought startled him. There hadn't really been anything between them, and from what he gathered, she saw him as a means to an end more than anything else. They were allies, and he knew he could rely on her to have his back in a fight, but he couldn't help feeling the sting of the thought. He wanted her to be...more. A friend? Maybe... A lover? He wasn't sure about that either. He wanted someone he could trust, someone who wouldn't run away from him. She had seen him, or at least part of him, and she hadn't left yet. Perhaps... No. They had other things to think and worry about.

His stupid feelings would have to wait. He stood and bid the other two Grisha goodnight before sliding onto his bedroll and letting the lull of sleep take him.

***

He awoke the next morning to a frenzy of excitement as the Grisha dressed, pulling on their beautiful keftas. Outside, they'd begun preparing a meal of eggs and bread as they waited for the Grisha from last night to arrive. Except instead of Roman, Lidia and Averina, a young boy and girl with the same blond hair and tanned skin stood awkwardly at the edge of camp, dressed in travelling clothes and with a bag on each of their shoulders.

Yelena addressed them, "Good morning. You two are Grisha?"

They nodded and the girl spoke, a slight Fjerdan lilt to her words, "We came last night, and heard what you said to the other few and...we want to join you. We brought our things with us so..."

Yelena tilted her head, "Alright. What are your names and what can you do?"

The two looked at each other, and the boy said "Lars and Lovisa. We... we're not sure exactly what we can do, but we've healed each other up after getting cuts and scrapes. Maybe we're healers."

Aleksander felt Yelena's excitement as she said, "Hold out your hands."

The two of them froze and Yelena rolled her eyes, "Come on. I'm not going to hurt you. I'm an amplifier. I make your powers stronger. Now come."

They glanced at each other before stepping forward, holding out their arms and Yelena closed her fingers around their wrists. Instantly, Aleksander had the strangest sensation of someone running their fingers lightly down his arms, back and legs... Yelena pulled away and it stopped.

She was grinning, "Oh yes, definitely Corporalki. I'll be your instructor then. Welcome to the Second Army."

Aleksander couldn't believe it. Five new recruits in a day. Maybe there'd be even more later once people saw them training. It only takes a spark to light a forest fire, and he knew that this one had only just begun.

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