Alina woke the next morning. She had slept the best she ever had in her new bed and the silk nightgown was the comfiest thing she'd ever worn to bed. Not like her old pyjamas at all. The light beamed through the crack in the curtains and the room was warm and cosy. Alina could have stayed in bed all day if she could but that ended shortly when the door opened and Marie came marching in, more clothes in her hands and some riding boots.
"Good morning, how did you sleep?" she asked happily as she sat on the edge of the bed.
"Good thank you, I've never slept in a bed this big before or this comfy" Alina smiled as she ran her hand over the covers.
"Well good, this is one of the best suites in the whole palace" she gushed, and Alina gave her a look of surprise.
Why would the king of Ravka give her the best room in the whole palace? She wasn't even from this world, and she'd only just discovered she held the gift of summoning. Surely the other grisha here were more worthy of a room like this and not this poor orphan girl who dressed is raggedy clothes and ate lumpy beef stew and hard bread for dinner. The food compared to home was outstanding. Freshly baked bread and tender cuts of beef with roasted vegetables.
"Anyway, the Tsar sent me to get you ready for your first day, he's taking you riding. Usually, we have breakfast together in the dining hall, but he said you'd prefer to eat alone until you're ready to meet everyone else. I know how daunting it can be when your new" Marie explained as she took the clothes, unfolding them for Alina.
"But I don't know how to ride a horse" Alina said worriedly. The only time she'd been on a horse was yesterday with Aleksander and she wasn't even riding it. She didn't want to look a fool in front of him.
"Don't worry, it's not as scary as it looks, it's a bit jumpy at first but you get used to it" Marie reassured her, but Alina was still nervous. Marie sat back on the edge of the bed and gave Alina a gentle smile.
"I know things here are very different to your world and if I was in your position, I would feel exactly the same. You probably have so many questions and it's all scary and new to you. But trust me, everyone has been waiting for you and soon you will learn how things are here in Ravka. The Tsar is the best person for that. He's going to help you, don't worry" Marie gave Alina's hand a squeeze and she relaxed.
"Thank you" Alina said. She was so glad she had already met one nice person so far and now the idea of being here in this little palace wasn't so nerve racking to her. Alina hoped she and Marie would remain close as she didn't know how she would feel about the other Grisha here. Like Marie said, it was all so scary and meeting everyone else would add to her list of anxiousness.
"And maybe later today you can tell me more about… where is it, you're from?" Marie asked.
"England" Alina answered.
"Yes, England. I too have so many questions" Marie said, and Alina giggled softly.
"I'd be happy to".
"Come on, let's get you ready, you don't want to keep him waiting" she smirked, and Alina blushed.
Certainty don't want to keep the king of Ravka waiting.
Alina was given some black breeches and a white blouse with her kefta on top. Her hair was styled so two pieces on either side were plaited to the back of her head with the rest in loose waves over her shoulders. The riding boots came just up below her knees, and they were stiff and hard. She'd never worn boots like this and as she walked down the halls of the little palace, she found herself trying to regain a normal walk. Marie had given her a hearty breakfast of porridge with honey and yogurt and a plate of fresh fruit with a cup of tea. It was delicious and went down a treat. Alina did offer some to Marie, but she refused as she would be eating with the other Grisha later.
As Alina walked down and out to the courtyard, she immediately caught Aleksander standing beside two horses and two guards. Aleksander stood in front of his black steed, stroking its nose gently while the horse next to it was white like the snow in the permafrost. Aleksander looked over to Alina and a smile itched onto his lips as Alina walked over.
"Good morning" he greeted, and Alina gave a nod and a smile. He was dressed in his black attire, his long kefta flowing in the breeze behind him, his hair combed back. He truly was a sight to behold, and Alina kept her face down a little to hide the blush on her cheeks.
"Morning" she squeaked back. she did know whether it was Aleksander or the fear of riding a horse in front of him that made her so shy.
"Please" Aleksander gestured to the beautiful white horse and Alina took a hard swallow before approaching it calmly. She brushed its neck, and its white coat was silky smooth. she stroked it's nose like he did, and the horse instantly warmed to her.
At least the horse likes me, now it might think twice about throwing me off
"How was your first night?" he asked.
"Lovely thank you, I've never slept in a bed that nice before" Alina said.
"Good" was all he said before making his way to his horse and mounting with ease. Alina gulped, realising she had to do the same and she looked at the saddle with a puzzled look. This was it, the moment that would make or break her. if she failed at this, how was she going to do when learning how to use her power. Alina took a deep breath before grabbing the edges of the saddle. She hooked her foot into one of the stirrups and pulled as hard as she could. She was lifting off the ground and she swung her leg over and sat with a wobble. She was on. Alina grinned to herself in amazement that she managed to get on the horse without looking like an idiot. She took the reins in her hand and sneaked a look over at Aleksander to see the correct way to hold them. Luckily, he was busy saying something to his guards to notice Alina staring and when he turned back, Alina looked away quickly as if she was waiting for him.
"Ready?" he said, and Alina nodded silently.
Aleksander gave a kick and his horse trotted off. Alina did the same and the horse gave a short buck before following on.
They rode into the woods and Alina was surprised with herself. The horse did not once fling or kick to throw Alina off and even though Aleksander was an experienced rider, she was able to mimic what he was doing and ride safely along with him. They rode through the forest slowly, Aleksander leading, and Alina took in the sights around her. it was nothing like the permafrost. There was no snow and only leaves and dirt covering the forest floor, the trees having not many leaves as they had all fallen.
Their horses were tied to a nearby tree and Aleksander led Alina up to another fountain. It was similar to the one in the permafrost; made of stone and around the base of the fountain were pictures engraved. The water was still as a statue, and they stepped up to it. Alina glanced over the edge, staring at her reflection.
"What do you see?" Aleksander's voice was soft, and Alina sighed.
"Someone that isn't me" she said. It was the truth. The girl staring back at her wasn't Alina Starkov from England. In England, girls don't wear kefta's and have gorgeous suites with canopy beds and marble bathrooms, unless they were rich of course. And Alina certainly was not rich.
"Or perhaps this is the real you and not the girl behind the wardrobe" he answered, and Alina looked to him. He gave her a sweet smile, but Alina wasn't convinced. How could this be the real her? She had only known this Alina or as others called her, the sun summoner, for a day or so.
"I just don't understand" she murmured, looking down at her hands. Her so called light came from these hands… she just didn't know how and why. Aleksander took a deep breath before speaking slowly.
"Many years ago, the black heretic created the shadow fold. Our people have been slaughtered, sold as slaves, experimented on like rats and discriminated against for years. It's what fuelled his anger. The shadow fold was created out of his hatred for those around who have treated our people differently because of who we are and our gift".
"And after it was created, a legend was brought that the sun summoner would come to end all suffering and destroy the shadow fold. You are that sun summoner Alina. I can't explain how that wardrobe leads to Ravka, but I can explain what your powers means".
"I told you before that I am a descendent of the black heretic and I want nothing more than to end the suffering of Grisha. And it doesn't help when people look at you as only a reminder of it and not the solution… which is what you are" Aleksander turned to Alina who stared up at him, her eyes fixed on him.
"With proper training, some amplification, you and I will bring down the shadow fold and bring peace to Ravka".
Alina glanced back down at her hands, her fingertips rubbing together. she was Ravka's saviour. She was going to be the solution everyone had been waiting for. How a wardrobe would lead to a mysterious world, she couldn't explain either, but the legend Aleksander spoke of, she was that girl, and she was here to learn her knew found powers.
"Do you really think I can do it" she whispered, and Aleksander smirked.
"Would I have brought you here if I thought you couldn't?" he had a point. He obviously believed she could live up to her name and do what needed to be done. Alina blushed a little and offered a smile.
"I guess not" she said.
"I shall be right by your side. It will take time for you gain control, but I will train you and until I am certain you're ready. This is your home now and you belong here".
Home
The little palace with the best suite and the best food was now her home. She was to live here with the other Grisha, Aleksander's people and be one of them… her family. And in that moment, Alina forgot about her family back home. She forgot about Genya and Fedyor… and Mal. Alina stared up at Aleksander and felt that tingle again. His words were comforting and reassuring. Now she understood. She understood her purpose and although it would take time for it to completely sink in her mind and settle in, she knew what she was to do. And Aleksander would be right there with her.
"Thank you for the kefta, I was actually very surprised when Marie brought it to me" Alina ran her hands over the material and Aleksander smiled.
"I had it made as soon as I knew you were the sun summoner. All Grisha wear one, you are no exception" she was no one of them.
"But I thought only you wore black" she said curiously.
"There is only one of me and one of you. You are the only sun summoner known to history. There are no others like us which means you are worthy of wearing my colour. Besides, I think black suits you better" he smiled, and Alina laughed softly to herself. She had to agree the black was very striking with her pale skin and dark hair along with the gold stitching.
"So, when does training start" Alina was excited to get started to learn her power. From the first time she summoned when Aleksander tested her, she felt that buzz run through her, and she wanted that feeling again.
"Soon, first you need to learn combat fighting, I doubt very much you learned any back home" he asked with a raise of his brow and Alina shook her head.
"Girls don't really learn that sort of thing… my brother Mal however is an excellent fighter. He knocked someone out just by punching them in the stomach once" Alina said, and Aleksander let out a soft chuckle.
"All Grisha here are trained in the field of combat. Yes, we have our powers, but we cannot always rely on them. And I think it would be useful for you to learn the theory behind Grisha and the small science. It's what our gift is about, manipulation of what exits around us. It may be difficult for you as there is not much theory on sun summoners however it would still be useful for you to know. And of course, I will train you to summon your light and control it".
The king was training Alina himself to summon her powers. She wondered whether the other Grisha had learned from him as well. Alina felt that giddiness come back, and she sucked in a calming breath to calm herself down, but she was just too excited.
"Okay" Alina agreed.
"I should get you back, I'm sure you're hungry and the others are waiting to meet you" he said and stepped down from the fountain, walking back to the horses. Alina took one last look in the water, staring back at the girl she met earlier on and smiled.
This is the real you
Hey so I hope you like it, what do you think will happen next, please leave a review and let me know. I'll give a hint, the next chapter involves Zoya ;), enjoy x