Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
We're All Someone's Monster
Kribirsk, East Ravka
THE SKIFF AT LEAST MADE IT BACK ALIVE. At once, General Kirigan convened a meeting. Esfir followed. They would have to discuss the failed voyage. If not for the strange burst of light then for the failure of the new skiff design. Then to find how many grisha had been lost, since they certainly couldn't rely on the First Army to care for their people for them.
Whispers spread through the crowd. Rumors of bright lights, destroying volcra and shadow alike. The general was pensive. He thought something of this, Esfir knew, but refused to share it with her.
They stood at the back of the general's tent. Grisha spread out on either side, leaving a opening in the center. Esfir caught her father out of the corner of her eye, his back to the entrance. In the dim light that filtered through the tent, she could see everyone was watching. She raised her chin and folded her hands behind her back. Seconds later, two of the Oprichniki entered. They held a girl between them, dressed in a ragged blouse, First Army trousers and suspenders.
"Bring her closer," General Kirigan said. He wasn't even looking.
The girl was pushed closer. Esfir could make out her face in the light. She was scared of them.
General Kirigan turned.
"Closer."
The girl hesitated. She stepped forwards.
"Well?"
"Well, what?" the girl said. Then, as if remembering who was was speaking to, she added, "Sir."
"What are you?" Kirigan asked.
What are you? Esfir resisted the urge to look at the general. She didn't understand what he was referring to. Did he really think the rumored light had been her? Some...some child from the First Army. Not even grisha — if she was, she'd have been found year ago when the testers went around. Esfir had heard rumors of sun summoners. Glorious saints that would save them from the shadow fold. Her father had been searching for them to undo what they had cursed the people of Ravka with.
But that was hopeful thinking. There was no sun summoner, and if there were, they wouldn't find them wondering around under their noses.
"Alina Starkov, Assistant Cartographer, Royal Corps of Surveyors," the girl said. Her face fell. "They're all gone...It's my fault. That's why I'm here, isn't it?"
"Answer the question. What are you?" General Kirigan interrupted.
