𝐖𝐇𝐀𝐓 𝐖𝐄'𝐑𝐄 𝐃𝐄𝐀𝐋𝐓 - Shadow and Bone/ Grisha series (ON HIATUS)

𝙲𝚘𝚗𝚜𝚝𝚎𝚛𝚗𝚊𝚝𝚒𝚘𝚗 - 𝟶𝟼

╭━ ⋅𖥔⋅ ━━✶━━ ⋅𖥔⋅ ━╮

con·ster·na·tion

/ˌkänstərˈnāSH(ə)n/

noun

noun: consternation

1. feelings of anxiety or dismay, typically at something unexpected.

╰━ ⋅𖥔⋅ ━━✶━━ ⋅𖥔⋅ ━╯

Os Alta

Entering the oh-so-great city of Os Alta was disheartening, to say the least.

It looked like any other fairly wealthy city, the streets bustling with vendors, shops, and families. I felt that the stories were too good to be true, especially now, since I was in the city's walls, to begin with. And it seemed that it was noticeable since the Grisha surrounding us tried to hide their smiles.

Their chuckles irritated me to no end, acting like they knew something I didn't. My curiosity peaked as we climbed up the stone roads, and I could see the inner city's walls in the distance. 

The crowd split for us and our steeds, sending curious glances at us every so often. It wasn't uncommon, troop arrivals, but for the Darkling to be riding with them, that was rare. Usually, he hid away in his customized landau or didn't even go out at all. 

To the citizens of Os Alta, it was a strange sight indeed.

I wondered what they were thinking, seeing the Darkling riding with his troops as if he was any other soldier. But the thought escaped my mind as we passed through the iron gates of the inner city. We passed by many guards before we formally entered the walls of the castle.

My jaw dropped as I gazed at the shining towers and freshly mowed ground. The disappointment that had plagued me was washed away at the beautiful sight of the innermost city. 

Pearly mansions scattered across acres of land, the blue-bloods of Ravka playing in the fields, dressed in lavish apparel. It was a utopia compared to the rest of the country like it was out of a fantasy book everyone wished to be in. Extravagant gardens and trees came into view as we clambered into the city.

Our troops stuck out like a loose nail in the beauty of Os Alta's metropolis. Bloodied soldiers trekking up the glimmering thoroughfare leading to the royal palace. The only things we carried were ourselves and the clothes on our backs. Even the Grisha's beautifully crafted kefta's paled in comparison.

 I could hear the soldiers' snickers from behind me, and my face flushed with embarrassment. That's what they were waiting for.

I sunk into my seat as the nobles eyed our troops like we were the dirt at their feet. But the sight of the Darkling with them made their backs straighten, and vision shift away from us. The man paid them no mind as he led us to the palace, keeping my horse and me close to the front like I was some trophy. 

And you could say that's what I was. The discovery of the Sun Summoner has been long-awaited since the creation of the Fold, four centuries ago. But nobody knew who I was yet. I was just another face in the crowd.

We grew near another set of walls, set to protect the palaces and the royal family. With each step closer, my hands trembled. I wasn't supposed to be here, I was a nobody. In another reality, I would've never even been near Os Alta, let alone heading towards the palace.