After dinner, I returned to my room where it was in the tidemaker hall. Walking into the room I picked up a sketchbook that Baghra had given me and picked up the pen. I sat on the bed feeling restless and started to sketch in it. I was used to this as I had done this when I needed something to relax before bed. I had always sketched the same thing as a stag and knew the tales of Morozovas stag and how sun summoners were perfect for it.

I could never kill an animal, not even for its power...not unless I had to. I thought

I was unsure why I had this connection to it but I had seen a similar sketch in my childhood home. My father had drawn the stag and looked at it but he refused to go searching for it. I didn't really care but found it comforting when I drew it. After that, I decided to free sketch on the next page figuring there was no harm in not having a drawing in mind to just relax. I started to notice it was getting dark as I stopped and touched my freehand with the hand that sketched to form a small amount of light as I continued. Watching the image form I didn't give it a lot of details until I finished seeing it was a sketch of general Kirigan.

What is with me today? I thought

I put the pencil up and closed the sketchbook as I got up from the room to look out the window. I knew if I had to go after the stag someday I would need to get free and I had Baghra on my side. I remember her saying that someone was looking for it but I knew enough was going on as I threw the light up and it surrounded me in warmth one last time before fading and then I went to bed. I figured a good night's rest would be best for now.

The next morning I went to eat with everyone for breakfast after I was ready to join them, the meal was the normal breakfast. I liked that but the tension in the room didn't stop no matter what. Baghra's words about every summoner wanting to be the general's pet came to mind and I knew I was not one of those summoners. I worked hard for everything I did here in the little palace.

"Amira, did you sleep well?" Nadia asked

"I did, I did some sketching before bed." I said

"that animal again?" Marie asked knowing she couldn't say stag

"yeah, I guess I got my father's artistic talent." I said

"I heard we're allowed to choose between training today and free time. Show me." Nadia said

"We can do a bit of both. I need to go see Baghra later." I said

Nadia nodded as we started to head out after breakfast, most of the tidemakers walked away from us. We went to my room instead of immediately heading out to the training grounds and went into my room. It was always kept neat and in place cause I hardly did much with it since getting the room. I grabbed my sketchbook and let her see. Nadia seemed to be looking through the book to see my sketches. Mostly of the stag that I would see sometimes when I sleep but then she stopped on the last one and showed it to me.

"Your talent is showing, it looks just like the general." She teased "If I didn't know any better I'd think you had a crush."

"I can assure you I do not." I said as I took the sketchbook from her and put it away. "Now come on, I have to meet with Baghra."

Nadia smiled as we went walking out to the training grounds. I saw glares at me and I didn't care at the moment. I headed for Baghra's training quarters and Nadia went to work with other tidemakers as I knew today I was focused. I needed to get this out of my head but when I came to her door I saw a note as I took it.

Amira, meet me at your private training area. We're doing something different and for the sake of your powers, this will be best. - Baghra

What does she have in mind? I asked

I went to the training area I had for myself as I walked the path knowing that this was going to be different from my normal sessions with her. When walking my thoughts went through my head knowing this wasn't like her. As I made it to the clearing I saw my parents standing there with Baghra. I stood there in shock and realized why we had to come here now as Baghra was supposed to inform the general when people came into the little palace.

"Your training again with your parents today." Baghra said

"But they sent me here to train with you." I said

"I'm not a sun summoner girl, I can't train you on techniques you have the potential to do." Baghra said, "Your father can. General Kirigan should be busy today as usual and I heard you did well."

Before I could say anything Baghra had walked off and for a minute we all caught up on things. It'd been nine years since I came to the little palace and I missed them so much. I wanted to hug them and never let go. I wanted to go home more than anything in the world.

"Has he seen you yet?" Father asked

"Yeah, papa he has." I said, "I was chosen to go on the tidemaker mission with the other tidemakers."

I went into details on what happened with the mission and what transpired how he'd amplified my power yesterday. Since I only used the tidemaker power in front of everyone except Baghra and my friends. I knew there was no way to avoid that I'd let someone in beside Baghra.

"I told my friends the truth and they've kept my secret." I said

"Do you trust them?" Father asked

"I do, they have had my back since I got here. I want to leave this place but I have no choice but to stay." I said

Father and mother knew that it was true what I said as I didn't have a choice in staying here. Baghra was my teacher and I was grateful for her lessons. I didn't want to be the reason for hope for people when I am not one summoner. I knew that was harsh but I knew being here the more I felt drawn to the shadows.

My parents didn't really ask much more before they started to do training with me. My mother had been harsher with me than she was when I was a child. I realized she was holding back when I was a child. I got back up and I didn't hold back with her either as we trained together. Still she put me through a ringer to keep up with her.

"Good Job Amira." Mother said

"I work hard, I won't give up." I said

"Next lesson." Father said

I prepared for my father as he did his own kind of training with the light. I struggled with his techniques of light. They were so much more advanced than I was but I got it a little bit. I didn't give up until I semi mastered them so I could keep practicing and when that was done I sat down breathing a bit harder as I laid back.

"You two are so unfair." I said jokingly

"Hard work and practice pays off." they said together

I closed my eyes letting myself feel vulnerable with them around. I laughed a bit knowing that it wasn't everyday I got my butt handed to me by my own parents. they were so much stronger than I was but I would one day surpass them. Maybe they were right that hard work and practice paid off. Maybe I could take down the fold someday and end the search for sun summoners.

I heard them talking to themselves as I laid there with my eyes closed. The sun on my face and the feeling of responsibility not present. I subconsciously touched the part of my cheek the general's fingers had lightly touched as I opened my eyes looking up at the sky.

I shouldn't be able to feel his shadows yet I can...I really wonder if he could feel the sun hiding. I thought

While in my thoughts I sat up quickly feeling that same feeling of shadows close by. I looked around knowing he did know where I trained and my father's secret could be at risk. Yet I didn't see anyone's insight when it came to the surrounding area. I figured maybe I was just paranoid or maybe...maybe he is watching.

would he try to make father join the 2nd army if he knew? Father would resist but his interest in me would possibly do more harm than good at the moment. I thought

Aleksander Morozova's pov:

Walking out there I noticed all tidemakers but Amira were present. I wanted to check and see if she was still needing to heal or if she was ok. Something about this tidemaker bothered me like there was something she was hiding. I walked that path she walked when she trained alone.

Coming into sight I saw her talking with her parents who I had no idea where in the palace. Mother must have brought them here and I could see she missed them dearly as they hugged and talked. I watched a bit seeing her mother not letting up on her own daughter.

Amara is as tough as my mother is on her own child. I thought

As I watched I was about to leave when I saw something that caught my attention. Amira and her father were sun summoners and Amira was a dual summoner. I thought about the Grisha text knowing there was no talk of a dual summoner when it came to Grisha. She was the first of her kind but like the mother, her father didn't let up either.

I saw her lay relaxed after her training with her parents and decided to stay and watch. I saw her touch her cheek where I had touched to see how badly she was injured. I knew something was different about her but I could not place my finger on it. Still, I saw her suddenly sit up to look around as I started to back up.

soon I'll have her in my grasp..the dual summoner. I thought