A Sun Summoner...

Artyom whispered the words to himself as if he could make them true only from saying them. He had just now heard about it on the very edge of East Ravka, where the sun was already more blown by snow than still shining brightly. Right at the moment it was almost unbelievable.

The ambassador standing next to him waited patiently until Artyom would send him away again. For a brief moment, the heartrender regretted that he had not been present when Kirigan had discovered the Sun Summoner. So, the ambassador could only tell him about it. General Kirigan seemed to distrust him somehow since the incident a few weeks ago, or simply preferred the other two Heartrenders. Kirigan could not possibly have sensed Artyom's hesitation and his treason. His mouth quirked a little. He actually thought that he had far better skills than Feydor and Ivan. On the other hand, he could well come to terms with Kirigan's decision and the general's suspicion, if that was the reason, was also justified. He had sent him through almost all of Ravka to somehow keep him busy looking for the mythical deer.

Artyom placed the message, written on parchment, on the table. He was in the tent where they camped just outside a vast forest. Then he looked at the ambassador, lost in thought. Probably Kirigan himself did not believe in the deer and simply wanted to keep him away from the small palace. In doing so, the general had actually made a mistake, for the journeys across the country had provided Artyom with the opportunity to find allies in the fight against the black general. Since the moment the heartrender had witnessed the shadow summoner's power, it had not given him any rest. Instead he had been able to contact the people who were secretly resisting Kirigan and repeatedly carried out minor attacks on Grisha. Attacks on their own people. Artyom did not quite like the whole… situation, but he had to do something.

The ambassador suddenly cleared his throat and disturbed Artyom in his thoughts. The man had his helmet tucked under one arm while behind him the red tarpaulins swept the ground in the icy wind. Artyom sighed, how this weather annoyed him. He turned his attention back to the waiting man. He must have been standing there for a long time by now. Artyom made a beckoning gesture with his hand, "You can go."

"Sir," the ambassador made no move to stir. "I have another order from the general."

Artyom raised his head and held his breath for a moment. He suppressed a frown. "What is it about?"

The man straightened up, "General Kirigan would like to see you at the little palace for the planned winter fete and the Sun Summoner's show of force."

Now Artyom really frowned. Nevertheless, as if automatically, he replied, "Of course. I will be there."

The ambassador nodded curtly and finally left the tent, while the Heartrender remained perplexed in the tent. At least he would finally be able to get away from here.

Artyom suddenly felt his Kefta pressing on his shoulders. Kirigan probably just wanted everyone to witness that he had really found the Sun Summoner. But why playing around like this? Artyom began to walk restlessly up and down in the small tent. By now, from all he had heard, Kirigan did not want to destroy the Shadow fold. He just wanted everything to stay as it was so that he could continue to exercise his power.

Artyom clenched his hands into fists. It was bad enough just thinking about how he manipulated everyone. He paused as a thought occurred to him. Maybe Kirigan was manipulating the Sun Summoner in the same way...Artyom glanced at the parchment. If this was the case, she needed to be enlightened. For all he knew, she was the only one who could stop a shadow summoner. And perhaps his new allies could help him. Artyom nodded and sat down. He would contact them. Sure they would help.

As he set about writing down his plan, he tried to push aside all his concerns that threatened to take over his mind like a shadow. It was as if the Shadow Summoner was right inside this tent, but Artyom knew he was far away.

Kirigan stood in front of the large round table that showed the map of Ravka and the surrounding countries, and had his hands resting on the plate. He was still wearing his Kefta. The metal buckles glowed dimly in the dark light of his chambers.

"Artyom is on his way" Feydor's voice raised beside him. He sounded calm but tense.

Kirigan did not let his gaze leave the map. But the corners of his mouth pulled up slightly. "Good. Then we should get everything ready." Briefly, he tilted his head to the side to see Feydor nod determinedly. Looking serious, he turned on the spot and left the room.

Silence remained Kirigan's only company. Even though he was still staring at the map, his mind was now wandering. Somehow, he had to think of the Sun summoner who must have found her way to her chambers just at this moment. Alina. He had waited a long time for this opportunity, this chance to further bring peace to the land with her help and he wanted to focus everything on his plan. For a long time now Feydor and Ivan had been watching over these "rebellions". They would not get in his way. Kirigan let out his breath contemptuously and reached for a figure that looked like the general in West Ravka. The fibres in his hands tightened as anger rose in him and he clutched the figure tighter. He did not even notice how the shadows at his side returned without him calling them. The view before his eyes blurred. He dropped the figure all at once and shook his head. It had happened again.

The Darkling closed his eyes and tried to bring his mind under control. Somehow he felt a pang of uncertainty that had been unknown to him before. A light of different feelings gnawed deep at the edge of his soul. Kirigan opened his eyes and could not help but think of how Alina had stood in front of him when he had revealed her power in the tent. Then he thought of how he was urged to save her, and she had faced him, confident and at the same time insecure. Unaware of her power in any way. The corners of Kirigan's mouth twitched as if something was trying to find its way out. He straightened up and banished these thoughts.

As his courage tottered for a moment, he did not realize that the shadows around him had already disappeared.