The Dual Summoner and the Darkling

Almost caught

When we got a day to relax and do something that wasn't going to be training it was a rare occasion. Marie and Nadia took me with them to do whatever we would be allowed to since we were not allowed outside the little palace. I wanted to go out and to get away from the little palace, after all, ten years of being inside felt like imprisonment in some way.

"Amira, what's wrong?" Marie asked

"I want to go outside for once, I want to go home." I said and realized that I missed my childhood home and they gave me a sympathetic look "ten years is a long time."

"I miss my mother and father, I want to see them more than I've wanted anything else. More than my own power." I said

They gasped at my truth but I knew it was true, I would give it all up for the chance to go home and be with them again. I didn't see much for me here and with needing to avoid the general it was more a risk for me being here. They knew that as much as I did but I knew this kefta felt like I was hiding in plain sight. My life could be eternal but there wasn't much for me right now being half of who I am all the time in front of the 2nd army.

The day seemed to go by fast before I knew what was going on and I was glad to be with them in the end. I couldn't imagine leaving them behind but I still wanted to go. I knew there was always going to be risk no matter where I went. No matter who I knew and with keeping secrets they always came out. I was punctual to Baghra's teaching as always and we expanded my powers within my own limits.

"I don't think I can do much for the fold if I am not making very big progress." I said to Baghra

"Hard work and training then you'll get there." Baghra said

"But an amplifier could help me." I said

"Amplifiers are cheating the progress but maybe one day you will have to get one." Baghra said and she turned to the fire.

We'd had this conversation many times but she was never as strict with me as the others. She actually had come to treat me like a daughter and I found some comfort in that. Still I wanted to know more about the darkling and she would only answer a question or two when I asked. So I was going to push again today to see what I could find out from her.

"Baghra, are you related to the darkling?" I asked

Baghra dropped her stick she was using in the fire and looked at me with surprise like I'd just called her out on something. I knew there was so much more than she was telling me why else would she agree with my father to avoid the darkling. I wanted to know and I was going to push until I got the answers I seeked.

"Something like that you could say." Baghra said giving a vague answer "How old do you think your father is?"

"I don't know a couple hundred years or so." I said

"Well you're not wrong, your father has been in hiding for years. Up until he found your mother and then you were born." Baghra said "I promised him if he ever had a child and she was born with the sun I would protect her."

"She? You knew I would be a girl." I said

"Most Sun Summoners are girls, but there is one amplifier perfect for a sun summoner. If the occasion arises I will send you with a group of Grisha to get it before the general does." Baghra said

My eyebrow raised as I knew there was still more to this story but again she wasn't telling me everything. What was I going to do and why did I need to find it before the general, I was in hiding but that could not be forever. I was safe here within the little palace but I knew there would be no escape without Baghra's help if I was found out.