Ash and Dusk

Chapter 22

The last rays of the sun were illuminating the sky with such an intensity, that each one looked like whips of fire striking the calm blue.
I enjoyed the view for as long as I could until I returned my attention to what I was doing.

Hidden behind the largest tent in the camp, my tent, I urged myself to move faster. Carrying four knapsacks while running at full speed through the woods turned out to be a real challenge for my still slender limbs. I tried to move as silently as possible even though everyone was probably gathered around the fire. They wouldn't think much of my absence anyway.

The bags fell on the ground with a soft thud. I pushed them together near a tree that looked older than the others and covered them with some leaves. I backed away to inspect my work. At first, you could have taken them for a part of the tree, maybe a root that came out of the ground, but if you looked closely, the buttons were shining and some straps were tangled unusually. That will do.

I pressed my palm on the trunk and called my power. It answered immediately, almost like it was eager to be used again and again. When smoke started to come from between my fingers, I removed my palm and watched the burnt wood for a few seconds. My handprint was noticeable enough for my friends to find their way here.

I took a last glance at the poorly made hiding spot.

Mal could have done it better.

But he wasn't here to do it, was he?

***

I could hear the beating of my heart in my ears. I looked around cautiously, taking in every red cheeked face that was smiling dumbly from the kvas. Fortunately for me, some Grisha decided it was drink night, so here they were, patting each other on the shoulder for no aparent reason and being too dizzy to notice the expresion of cold detachment I wore.

I dared to look up to the trees from under my lashes. The fire in front of me was blinding enough that I couldn't see anything, anyone, on the branches, but a glimmer of metal so small that I thought I had imagined it.

They were ready. I was ready. So I stood up.

I tried to look relaxed when I left the others, making it seem like I was retreating earlier for sleep. My steps became heavier as I approached the tent, the feeling of being watched not giving me peace. As much as I wanted to look back I didn't. Other things were more important than some drunkard staring at me.

I entered the tent just to make the gesture look authentic for the guards and then lifted the material that was on the opposite part. Before I knew, I was in the chilly air of the night again.

I took a deep breath, letting the light curve around me and imagining myself disappearing. I felt the invisibility like a cloth on my shoulders.

The sound of my feet on the grass was covered by the loud laughter as I returned near the camp fire. Standing in the shadows of a tent, I could observe everything without the fear of the light falling on me and making my silhouette appear suddenly, with no explanation.

My friends were gathered together on a log, talking and smiling even though it was forced. I prayed in my mind that I would see them again.

With that final thought, I moved my fingers in a large arch towards me. The light of the fire seemed to drain and extind on the ground until it touched a dried leaf and turned into a flame. Other leaves that were more or less intentional placed started to burn, creating small but many fires. The drunk Grisha blinked confused at the scene in front of them, leaving the others to take care of the situation. The ones that were still sober called the wind for the smaller flames and brought the water out of the soil to surface, making the camp fire decrease to red embers.