When we got a day to relax and do something that wasn't going to be training it was a rare occasion. Marie and Nadia took me with them to do whatever we would be allowed to since we were not allowed outside the little palace. I wanted to go out and to get away from the little palace, after all, ten years of being inside felt like imprisonment in some way.
"Amira, what's wrong?" Marie asked
"I want to go outside for once, I want to go home." I said and realized that I missed my childhood home and they gave me a sympathetic look "ten years is a long time."
"I miss my mother and father, I want to see them more than I've wanted anything else. More than my own power." I said
They gasped at my truth but I knew it was true, I would give it all up for the chance to go home and be with them again. I didn't see much for me here and with needing to avoid the general it was more a risk for me being here. They knew that as much as I did but I knew this kefta felt like I was hiding in plain sight. My life could be eternal but there wasn't much for me right now being half of who I am all the time in front of the 2nd army.
The day seemed to go by fast before I knew what was going on and I was glad to be with them in the end. I couldn't imagine leaving them behind but I still wanted to go. I knew there was always going to be risk no matter where I went. No matter who I knew and with keeping secrets they always came out. I was punctual to Baghra's teaching as always and we expanded my powers within my own limits.
"I don't think I can do much for the fold if I am not making very big progress." I said to Baghra
"Hard work and training then you'll get there." Baghra said
"But an amplifier could help me." I said
"Amplifiers are cheating the progress but maybe one day you will have to get one." Baghra said and she turned to the fire.
We'd had this conversation many times but she was never as strict with me as the others. She actually had come to treat me like a daughter and I found some comfort in that. Still I wanted to know more about the darkling and she would only answer a question or two when I asked. So I was going to push again today to see what I could find out from her.
"Baghra, are you related to the darkling?" I asked
Baghra dropped her stick she was using in the fire and looked at me with surprise like I'd just called her out on something. I knew there was so much more than she was telling me why else would she agree with my father to avoid the darkling. I wanted to know and I was going to push until I got the answers I seeked.
"Something like that you could say." Baghra said giving a vague answer "How old do you think your father is?"
"I don't know a couple hundred years or so." I said
"Well you're not wrong, your father has been in hiding for years. Up until he found your mother and then you were born." Baghra said "I promised him if he ever had a child and she was born with the sun I would protect her."
"She? You knew I would be a girl." I said
"Most Sun Summoners are girls, but there is one amplifier perfect for a sun summoner. If the occasion arises I will send you with a group of Grisha to get it before the general does." Baghra said
My eyebrow raised as I knew there was still more to this story but again she wasn't telling me everything. What was I going to do and why did I need to find it before the general, I was in hiding but that could not be forever. I was safe here within the little palace but I knew there would be no escape without Baghra's help if I was found out.
"That's enough for today, go on and get to your private training area." Baghra said
I left to walk out but she left me with more questions than answers than I liked when it came to our lessons. How old was my father and what were they hiding from me? Still I had to be more curious about the darkling general than they may have liked. So I walked out there to meet with Nadia and informed her everything was going well with my lessons.
"Good, you're getting better. Any questions answered?" Nadia asked
"yes, but only to be given more questions than answered." I said
I went to slip away from the group as usual but this day just so happened to be the day that General Kirigan came out to check on the 2nd army. I had already turned my back to him as I walked the path thinking about the things Baghra said. She was somehow related to the General so that made me more curious about him than I probably should have been. The walk took time and I was glad when the clearing came. That was the open area I found to train. I had purposely made some burn marks in the grass to make sure it looked like an Inferni had been here instead of me.
As I put my hands together and focused on the sun I put my hands out to form it in my hands as I smiled. This bright sun of heat that could be used wherever I wanted it was mine. My power to do with as I wanted and I couldn't be more happy with it. I knew somehow I was going to be ok no matter where I went. Still I heard the sound of a branch snap in the distance and I was quick to put my hands together and change it to water.
Practicing the technique to make the water circle around me was the best trick I knew as I turned around ready to face whoever had followed. I knew most of my fellow summoners didn't care if I came here so who would come. I had the water come to my hand as I was ready to defend myself in case of any threat. I froze though when I saw the black general himself, General Kirigan walk in the area.
this man...I've seen him before. Saints! He is eternal, he doesn't look like he's aged a day! I thought
He seemed to be scanning the area before his eyes landed on me seeing the water. I let it go and showed some respect using my hair to hide my face in case he hadn't noticed. "General Kirigan." I said
I heard his footsteps as my heartbeat was beating fast wondering if he'd noticed anything suspicious. Baghra's warnings to never let him see the light ran through me out of worry and I felt a hand under my chin as he looked at me, my hair still half covering my face. "Miss. Silina, it's been a long time since the last time we met." General Kirigan said as he carefully moved the part of my hair covering my face from view, getting a glimpse at my full face for the first time. "Why do you go out here?"
I was nervous and hesitant knowing that my almost nine years of avoiding him was over and that there was no going back now. I had to think quickly and knew I still had the note from Baghra to come out here for solo training as I wanted to think quickly. "I have permission to train solo, one never knows when they will need solo fighting." I said and got in my kefta presenting Baghra's note. He took it looking over the writing as I saw his expression get serious before he returned back to his normal expression as he looked at me.
"Is this necessary? He asked as I just nod, not trusting myself not to blow my cover and he seemed to contemplate the need for solo training. "then may I have a demonstration of your progress?"
a demonstration of my progress? Oh saints, I hope I don't mess up. I thought
I did my best with what I struggled with due to holding myself back but I couldn't focus with him there and knowing I was lying to myself. I didn't realize that my lies and holding myself back really did hinder my progress so much but he must have noticed cause he had me stop.
"Tidemakers have such a way with their abilities, a flow as the water, yet you seem unsure of your own abilities," he said "What holds you back?"
"I.." I didn't have an answer with the fact I had to keep my other half secret but thank the saints I saw Baghra come just in time. Either she knew that he was there or she just came to check on me but she was quick. "Amira." Baghra said, getting her attention. "Come on girl, you want to be as good as your mother, you still have to work hard." Baghra said and I just nod "Yes, Ma'am" I said
I gave him a respectful bow and then ran over to Baghra who merely kept watch on the general while I walked away. My stress was building fast but what I didn't know was that her interest in me would cause him to be curious about what I am. I knew this one was going to be something to tell Nadia and Marie later.
Author's note: So I didn't post this but this is Amira Silina's look due to I liked this picture.
Author's note: So I didn't post this but this is Amira Silina's look due to I liked this picture
