WHISPER- shadow and bone

Chapter 10

Ravka's flatlands passed rapidly by the Crows and the Grisha. Passing through Keramzin Ezra glanced in recognition towards Ada who closed her eyes painfully in memory. The orphanage was plagued with prejudice, any small flaw or difference you had was latched onto and abused. The only good thing that came out of Keramzin was herself, Alina and Mal and even they weren't perfect. Ezra squeezed her hand in comfort and she smiled gratefully.

Arriving in Bhez Ju, Ada thought it might just have been the most beautiful place she'd ever visited. The cheery wood pagodas stretched over the skyline and the streets were filled with a multitude of colours, lanterns and banners decorating the narrow cobbled streets. She reminisced of another life, one in which she lived here with her parents and an Alina who wasn't a Saint. 

The group stopped at what looked to be a religious altar. Inej and Tolya knelt in prayer, Nina and Zoya hung slightly back alongside Ada and Ezra while the rest of the Crows lurked over by the food stalls.

"Mother, Father... We hope you're well, rested and fed," Tolya muttered in prayer, two lit splints in his hand. A lit splint for each of the souls he had lost in his life. Zoya hesitated before moving to pick up one of the splints. Ada followed suit, grabbing two for her parents, the souls lost to the same Fold that had tried to claim her and her sister time and time again.

Ezra hesitantly took one and lit it. 

"Your mother?" Ada asked softly. Ezra nodded.

"She used her power to save a young girl from being poisoned. She drew it out successfully but she absorbed too much of it herself. She died saving the life of another. At first I resented her for it. It was so selfless and so selfish at the same time. But I can't fault her for it. I would have done the same if it were me," Ezra explained openly.

"She'd be proud of you," Ada smiled softly. 

"As would your parents," Ezra nodded towards the two lit splints.

Nina turned her attention to Zoya, remembering her family in Novokribirsk. 

"When the Fold moved, your aunt... Zoya, I'm so sorry," Nina whispered in apology. 

 "Who here hasn't lost someone?" Zoya sniffed.

"You know this is your religion too," Tolya jumped up and gestured towards Ada.

"My mother didn't really live long enough to impose religion on me unfortunately," Ada raised her eyebrows.

"It's never too late find it. Keep that in mind," Tolya cocked his head in amusement. 

"I will," Ada spoke in an amused tone as Tolya sauntered off towards Kaz, Wylan and Jesper, a snack in his mouth once again.

"He's an odd guy isn't he?" Ezra stated in amusement. 

"He's certainly different that's for sure. He's genuinely a good person though. That's what I think the whole of Ravka is lacking in," Ada sighed.

"You two we have a teatime to make," came the harsh tone of Kaz behind the group. Nina sighed in anticipation as she and Inej followed him towards Ohval. 

"Kaz Brekker off to teatime now that's a sentence I never thought I'd hear," Ada snorted. 

"I need a drink," Zoya sighed, gripping the bridge of her nose.

"Now that sounds like an idea," Ezra grinned.

~~~

"Ohval's not just a fence. She's The Disciple," Kaz snarled as he grabbed tightly onto the table. Ada noticed that his gloves were pulled so far up his arms that his nails were threatening to burst out. There was an air of defeat in his words suggesting something had rattled him at the tea.