WHISPER- shadow and bone

Chapter 1

As the ship docked at the outstretched arms of Novyi Zem Adeline Starkov felt a sense of longing. Perhaps it was for the boy she'd watched step onto the gangway at Ketterdam, perhaps it was for the freedom that she was beginning to realise was a distant dream away or perhaps it was for power. Power over herself or power over those who wanted to hurt those around her, she didn't know.

"Have your papers ready!" rang out a singular voice in the din of Zemeni customs. The bustling feet and rumbling of muttered voices swept across the floor and into the air to create a hub of activity.

"First class, all left line. Returning Zemeni citizens, use the green line."

"I hope we look like tourists from Ketterdam," Mal commented, as he turned around in the line to scour the faces of those with them.

"I think we need hats. Everyone from Ketterdam seems to wear a hat," Ada commented, glancing at the row of bowler and pork pie hats that followed them.

"That would ruin my hair," Mal pulled a face.

"What hair? You're practically bald," Ada grinned as she gave him a shove in the side.

"Hey!" Mal shoved the girl back in playful anger.

"As long as these papers from Kaz work," Alina sighed.

"Forged papers."

"I have my real card. It's legal!"

"Come on. Let's go," came the voices from around them as a woman was denied access into the country.

"That better not be us in a minute," Ada spoke, shuffling back into the line as the woman glared at her while struggling to free herself from the officers.

"So we go with my plan. We find the Sea Whip. That's why we're here. One amplifier might not be enough, so I'll get two," Alina spoke as she held her head high. Ada could sense determination on her, Alina would not stop to get what she wanted.

"Greedy much Lina?" Ada joked to be met with a glare from her sister which quickly silenced her dwindling grin.

"Alina, we don't know the risks if we try this. No Grisha's ever done it before. Not even a Saint," Mal spoke in reply.

"No one's ever torn down the Fold before either." Alina's words were laced with doubt and Ada sensed it. Perhaps it was a sister thing, that they could sense each other's hidden emotions or perhaps she was just delving too much into fairytales. She slipped her hand into Alina's and squeezed it gently.

"I know you can do it someday. You will get there," Mal spoke softly in encouragement. "I just don't want to see it kill you in the process, okay?"

"I promise all my only child jokes don't actually have any meaning in them," Ada nodded sincerely.

"Hot stones?" Alina grinned as she faced the duo.

"As long as it comes with a sauna I'm happy," Ada nudged her sister.

Another voice rose above the hub of collected noise, speaking "Ravkan refugees, this line please."

"Refugees," the sister duo spoke in unison as they exchanged a glance. Alina turned her head to the line of battered people gathering in a line and swept away towards them uttering only "Wait," as a means of explanation.

"Alina, wait," Mal called.

"That's not going to stop her," Ada laughed softly. "She's more determined than before all this chaos isn't she?" she asked Mal.

"Kirigan changed her, for the worse. I think now more than ever she's determined to destroy what is the only memory left of him," Mal returned.

"Mal I'm going to ask you a question and I need you to reply. Honestly ok," Ada turned to face the taller boy who's brow furrowed in confusion.