"In the night I hear them talk, coldest story ever told."
"Ivan wasn't the Generals first heartrender, no one knows what happened to Mashka. It's like she disappeared into the shadows and took his heart with her."
shadow and bone season...
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The Little Palace was alive this evening, Mashka watches all the servants rush around in a hurry throughout the castle. One nearly crashes into her carrying a tray of towels. They usher an apology, but keep moving down the corridor.
"Mashka!" A voice booms from overhead causing her to snap her head up. It's someone she hardly knows, a squaller, she's shocked they even know her name. Picking up her kefta she rushes up the steps.
Bowing her head she looks up to see the man in a panic. "The general gets back this evening, he's requested to see you."
"Me? Why me?" Panic floods in, the thought of seeing the shadow summoner causes her heart to pick up in speed. He normally didn't ask to see training Grisha, and she didn't know what he could possibly want with her.
The man scoffs at her. "Don't be so modest, all of your teachers say you are the finest heartrender they've seen in years."
"But-" she gets cut off by the man.
Turning he shakes his head. "The general will see you after dinner, I've sent a tailor for you."
"But-" Fully turning around he leaves her shocked.
She's only seen the general a few times, most times in passing. Surely they must be mistaken with the thought of him wanting to see her. He must want to see the top training Grisha, how silly she is to think he only wants to see her. Placing a hand over her heart she forces it to slow down.
Walking back into her room she see's a tailor with a women behind her. "Sit girl, we have work to do."
"My name's Mashka." Mashka sticks out her hand, but no one seems to take notice of her out of place hand.
Choosing to do as told she sits in front of her mirror. A girl who isn't much younger than her goes to run a hand over her hair. "My names Genya, pleasure to meet you."
"The girl is one of the finest tailors I've ever seen, they say you are the best heartrender. I leave you in each others hands." The older woman takes her leave.
Mashka smiles at the red haired girl behind her. "I'm sure you're busy, sorry to have to bother you."
"Yes the Queen does take a lot of patience." Mashka frowns at the response.
"Don't you have the rest of the training Grisha to do?" the fear starts to creep back inside her once again, surely she means in the grand scheme of things?
Genya grabs her kit, choosing a striking red for Mashka's lip colour. "No, the general has asked just for you."
Mashka can't begin to speak after that. She lets Genya do whatever it is she needs to do until she's staring at herself alone in the mirror. She imagines it'll be time soon, to meet with the general.
