In The Name of Shadows - A Darklina Story

Chapter 13: The Governor of Os Kervo

Publishing date: 03/25/2022

Warning: Some scenes of violence here. You were warned.

Malyen Oretsev, the Tracker, was huddled by the fire, digging in the dirt with a pointed stick. His brown hair was falling over his forehead as he was staring at the hearth with his eyes devoid of any emotions.

It was the last stop before travelers would reach Os Alta and the landscapes here had changed a bit from scenery characteristic for the south of Ravka. An area became more forested, which meant that Mal and his companion were in the central part of the country, passing a military training ground in the city of Poliznaya. Malyen remembered that he and Alina had trained here before joining the First Army. The boy was surprised by the fact how many soldiers were stationed in this area now, as if the entire military forces of Ravka were concentrated around the Grand Palace. Given his experience with the army, Mal suspected that some disturbing things were probably happening in his homeland. The regrouping of the main troops near Os Alta must have meant that the king expected an enemy attack on the capital at practically every moment.

Malyen Oretsev was very worried about this. He was afraid that Alina might get caught up in some courtly plot before he could save her. After all, there was a risk that the Darkling would want to regain power in the country again and he would drag Alina into his deadly games.

A problem was that his wife had become Grisha again. She no longer belonged to the world of ordinary otkazat'sya. Malyen was afraid that the second time he would not be able to tie his beloved woman to himself, as it had happened after the death of Aleksander Morozova. Such happiness just didn't happen twice. It was like playing with fate when the chances of winning were close to zero and the naive player decided to take the risk anyway.

The Tracker threw the twig he was holding into the fire that was burning in front of him. His attention was attracted by the chestnut-haired girl who was sitting opposite, and who was lost in her thoughts just like him. Katya Nemerov's thick, slightly curly hair had a beautiful, unusual shade. Even though the Healer had a slight body build, just like Alina, it was evident that she was flexible and agile and that she certainly could take care of herself. Katya had a very pretty face reminiscent of exotic jewels. Mal did not know her parentage, but he was almost convinced that the girl must have been high-born.

Their gazes met over the fire and the Tracker felt a strange confusion. It was as if the Healer's green eyes were burning a huge hole from within him. Mal had not dealt with women for a long time, so her intense glare disturbed the boy's imagination.

Stop it, you don't want it at all, Malyen thought, then quickly looked down. What is happening with me?

The Tracker guessed it was a rage at Alina's betrayal that caused him to feel these conflicted emotions. However, the state did not bode well for Mal. He should keep his distance from Katya, as close relations with Grisha never ended well for otkazat'sya.

The Healer saw that Mal was staring at her. His straightforwardness and honesty aroused the extremely contradictory emotions in her. At times, Katya even felt guilty about not only taking advantage of this cute boy, but also about not telling him the whole truth. She realized that her behavior could be extremely destructive for him. But the Healer was an egoist as in the Little Palace she had learned to trust only herself.

"Don't look at me like that, handsome." Katya smiled slightly as she saw Mal immediately staring at the ground in front of the fire. "I think that I can guess what you are thinking about." The girl got up from the tree trunk on which she had been sitting so far and she calmly walked towards the Tracker. She sat just twenty inches from him, watching Mal's attractive profile out of the corner of her left eye. "You are probably wondering how you can separate your wife and the Darkling. Don't worry." The Healer added. "I will help you as best as I can. I really care about it too. Believe me."