Sword & Succession - A Darklina AU Fanfic

Chapter 7

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𝕄𝕚𝕝𝕒𝕟𝕒 ℙ𝕖𝕥𝕣𝕠𝕧𝕒

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Mornings in the Little Palace had become sadly quiet ever since the General and his chosen Grisha had left for West Ravka. There were less than two dozen Grisha still in Os Alta, and a few were students who were currently in class.

Ever since the General left both the Little Palace had become sadly quiet. Ambassadors, generals and rich dukes and duchesses had stopped visiting and only the Grand Palace was alive with people preparing for the Winter Fete which was right around the corner. But Grisha weren't supposed to involve themselves in the preparations. There would be two celebrations. One down in the town for the lower class men and women and another up at the Grand Palace for Grisha and the nobles.

It was said that years ago, Grisha used to demonstrate their gifts to the past King and Queen of Ravka. But with both of them dead and de-throned, the General was in charge and he claimed that using Grisha power for mere entertainment was a waste. So now we just enjoyed the celebrations in the Grand Palace with Os Alta's citizens.

So there wasn't much for me to do other than train, sit in the garden or research in the Little Palace's library, while all other Grisha students my age were in class. The Oprichniki guards were as interesting to talk to as a brick wall and I knew every part of the Little Palace by the back of my hand.

I would've killed to have joined the General on his mission to West Ravka, to finally see the Fold for myself and perhaps secure my place among my fellow Grisha. I had argued with Ivan when I'd found out I was staying behind.

"You're too young." He'd replied, his voice stone-cold as usual. Ivan only had two emotions. Irritatingly smug, and grim as gravel.

"Too young!" I shouted back, causing a few heads to turn. But I hadn't cared. My age had always been a problem. I had graduated and joined the ranks of a Grisha soldier at the beginning of the year. But I had been sidelined ever since. "Come on Ivan, you've seen me train. I know I can help!"

"It's not up to me," he'd retorted back, saddling up his horse for the trip to the Fold. "These are the General's orders and you would do yourself good by following them!" And that had been the end of it.

I tugged on my Heartrender's kefta. It was mine, but it didn't feel like mine. I hadn't earned it. I had yet to fight beside the others or go undercover in some far off country. But one day I would, and I would be the best on the field.

Until then, I was benched.

Something sharp suddenly struck my head, breaking my silent oath. A small stone fell on the grass beside me and glared over my shoulder. "The hell, Tony?" I rubbed the sore spot on the back of my head, glaring as he ran up to me, grinning from ear to ear.

Tony was my older brother by three years, making him sixteen. But he had the mind and energy of a ten-year-old. He was an Inferni, like our father, but he too had been chosen to stay behind. But that never seemed to bother Tony as much as it bothered me. "What was that for?"

"I was calling out your name. You didn't hear me?" He slid down beside me, stretching his legs out in front of him, not caring if he dirtied his kefta.

"No," I growled back. I was already in a bad mood and the last thing I needed was my brother to come and try to cheer me up. "Guess I finally mastered the art of blocking out your girly voice." I gave an over-sweet smile and he responded by poking his tongue out at me. "Thought you'd be training," I said, hoping he'd catch the message that I didn't want him around.