Alina woke the next day, thoroughly rested from combat training and her body no longer ached from the hard blow Zoya gave her. Marie and Nadia said that Zoya was one of Aleksander's most loyal squallers and was up there in the ranks with Ivan. She was by the far the most powerful out of the squallers thanks to her amplifier she received from Aleksander himself. Alina didn't quite understand amplifiers, but Maire assured her Aleksander would explain. It was something they learned in Grisha theory while growing up and only the most loyal Grisha were allowed one. Ivan too had his own amplifier. Alina had made a mental note to ask Aleksander about them when she begun training.
Marie said that Zoya was an easily jealous person and quite frankly could be horrible to others. She didn't like anyone showing they were better than her and with Alina arriving at the little palace as the sun summoner, she was instantly jealous because Aleksander was focused more on her than she.
Alina laughed at the idea. She'd only been here a day and already had an enemy. So far Zoya was the only person who hadn't taken a liking to her, and Alina had a feeling they weren't going to be the best of friends here. Alina was hoping she didn't have to run into her today after yesterday.
The door to her suite opened and Maire came strolling in.
"Good morning, hope you are well rested" she said brightly as she sat on the edge of the bed,
"Why, what's happening today?" Alina asked curiously.
"Well, you have combat training this morning and then Moi Tsar is taking you to start your training" she said excitedly.
Today will be the first day of Alina training to summon her light. She was finally going to learn how to use it and control it. Alina felt giddy inside. Aleksander was going to show her how to use her powers himself, the king of Ravka training this little orphan girl. But the mention of combat training made Alina frown and she sighed heavily.
"Do I have to, I think I know how to fight someone now, do I really need more training on that. Shouldn't I focus on learning my power" she said. The reason was because she didn't want to see Zoya again and get thrown into another wall without being able to use her light back on her.
"It's important we keep our skills up, so we don't forget" Marie reassured, and she walked to the wardrobe to pull out Alina's clothes for her.
"Or get thrown across the field by jealous squallers, I'm sure Zoya is just dying to make a show of me" Alina grumbled.
"Oh, Zoya isn't attending, she's been taken off palace grounds" Alina looked stared in shock at Marie.
"Really" Alina asked. Had yesterday's spat with her and Zoya got her kicked off.
"He wasn't pleased with her after what she done so he sent her away to reassess her priorities… and I even heard that he took away her amplifier".
All that for throwing me across the field
Her punishment seemed extreme, but it was clear Alina was important here and something as little as using her powers on her was not acceptable to the king. And taking her amplifier away, did that mean she was no longer the powerful squaller she once was?
"He took her amplifier" Alina murmured, and Marie shrugged.
"Well, that's just a rumour, Nadia said she saw her crying when she left his room and she's defiantly not here, come on, you'll be late for breakfast" Marie patted Alina's knee under the covers and got up to allow Alina to dress.
Alina felt more relaxed now she didn't have to worry about running into Zoya and the confrontation. She still couldn't get over the fact she had been sent away and her amplifier had been ripped away from her. Surely that would cause significant damage to her power. Alina still didn't understand it all, but she knew she would soon. She walked down the halls of the little palace and reached the dining room where Grisha were sat around a large square of tables.
On one side were the Etheralki, dressed in their blue keftas. Beside them were the Materialki dressed in deep purple and to their left the Corporalki. Alina wondered why they sat in their groups and not wherever they wanted to. Was it important for them to stay in their orders? Alina walked in shyly as the Grisha stared at her, a million eyes all looming at her. Alina wanted to turn back around and run out of sight but that would be more embarrassing for her. Luckily Marie came up to her and guided her in.
"Come, I'll introduce you" she pulled Alina along and proceeded to introduce her to some of the Grisha. they were all very friendly and each one gave a short bow to her. She met the inferni that came to the clearing that night, Pavel and his sister Polina. She was introduced to a healer named Zia on the Corporalki table who was also very friendly. Alina noticed there was an empty table at the front where no Grisha sat and all that was there was a black chair.
"Who sits there" Alina asked.
"That's for the Tsar but he rarely eats with us. When he does, Ivan and Zoya and Pavel normally sit with him but otherwise they eat with their order" Marie gave a slight frown to Alina as she looked her up and down.
"What?" Alina said.
"Well, I'm just thinking where you should sit, I guess you are a summoner so you can sit with us… but I have a feeling you'll be sitting on that table soon" Marie pointed to the empty table and Alina swallowed. She'd be sat with the king himself.
After breakfast, Alina and Maire went down to the training circle and commenced their training. Botkin apologised on behalf of Zoya's behaviour, but Alina brushed it off. She couldn't hold on to that forever and one day they would come face to face again but luckily for now they wouldn't. Alina got the hang of the fighting and she fought against Zia the healer she met at breakfast. It made it easier seeing as they were friendly with one another, and Alina didn't feel pressured to show her up.
Botkin was pleased with her progress and gave her a clap of congratulations.
"Well done, you have amazed me, you're quite the learner aren't you" he smiled, and Alina laughed softly. If only Mal and the others could see her now, fighting against these people like she was a boxer in the ring. She felt ready to take on anyone now… even Zoya.
As Alina finished her round with Zia, a guard marched over into the training circle and addressed Botkin and Alina.
"It is time for Miss Starkov's training" he announced, and Alina's nerves and excitement came back. Botkin nodded and dismissed Alina, allowing her to follow the guard who led her away from the training circle and over the grass of the little palace. Her stomach did a flip inside as she walked closer and when she looked up, she saw Aleksander waiting patiently for her. He offered a soft smile as she neared and when he looked to the guard, his expression fell hard again, a simple nod being the only thing to dismiss the guard and she was left on her own.
"Hello" he said softly as Alina came beside him.
"Hello" she said back quietly, and she suddenly became very anxious. She had no idea how this training was going to work, and Alina felt her palms become sweaty and subtly tried to wipe them on her kefta. Aleksander gestured her to follow, and they walked side by side.
"How was your training" he asked.
"It was good thank you, I think I'm ready to fight anyone" she said, and Aleksander chuckled softly.
"Good, I wanted to make sure you had a session without any distractions" Alina looked up at him and the smirk on his lips told her he was talking about Zoya.
"Thank you, I appreciate that".
"I apologies for Zoya's behaviour, Botkin informed me yesterday of what happened, I hope you are feeling better" he said with concern and Alina nodded. She felt bad the king was having to apologies on behalf of Zoya when in fact she should have apologised herself. But perhaps he sent her away immediately and didn't give her a chance to. It was clear he was frustrated with the ordeal.
"I am… I don't really know what I've done to make her hate me" Alina said.
Was it because I punched her in front of the other Grisha… probably that?
"Zoya is one of my most loyal Grisha and squallers. She is quite powerful compared to the others here and she can become easily jealous. I think the notion of you coming here after so long has made her realise that she isn't the best, that someone could be better than her" he said.
"Does she know I don't know how to use my power" Alina said which made Aleksander laugh softly. The sound was reassuring, and Alina smiled at him. She liked that sound coming from him.
"Zoya thinks that no one can be better than her at anything and I think she's a little afraid of what your power means to me, to Ravka. She is still my most powerful squaller and I don't doubt that in anyway but that does not excuse her behaviour. I will not have her treating you any less than what you deserve Alina".
Alina went quiet as they walked further down the path to a lake. Aleksander was not going to allow anyone to treat Alina than anything, but Grisha and what Zoya had demonstrated had shown that to Aleksander. Alina wanted to ask if he took her amplifier away but kept it to herself. What's done is done and Aleksander wasn't going to change his mind on his decision.
When they reached the lakeshore, Aleksander led the way down the path to a small hut. It was cute and small and reminded Alina of David's little cabin. Alina had completely forgotten about David. He'd probably be wondering why Alina wasn't visiting but she remembered then that he said he had joined forces with the king. Perhaps Aleksander could take her to see David one day or better, yet he come here. He did say he'd been to the palace before.
Aleksander opened the door and allowed Alina to enter in first. The hut was cosy and there was a small fire burning in the corner. Two chairs were in the middle of the room and to the side a table and chairs as well. candles lit the room up and Alina noticed the large flag hanging down with the eclipse symbol.
"Please, sit down" he gestured to one of the chairs and Alina sat. She was rigid and stiff and waited for Aleksander to come and sit in the other chair. He slowly sunk down opposite her, his hands resting on his lap. They were sat very closely to each other, their knees almost touching, and Alina sucked in a deep breath, trying to calm herself. Aleksander gave her a warm smile and Alina relaxed. He was good at keeping her calm and Alina let go of the stiffness in her body, her shoulders falling. She was now going to learn how to summon her light.
Hey so I hope you like it, what do you think will happen next, please leave a review and let me know what you