His eyes darted across the sandy shore. Eight cages remained with prisoners inside. Bodies of their captures littered his path to them. He wasn't sure what he just stumbled upon, but it seemed these Otkazat'sya were planning on executing them. His eyes fell on their wardrobe, some wore red and others wore blue. The style and material were familiar to him. He's always dressed in black, but his clothing resembled theirs to a point. Like a uniform.
"What are you?" His voice was louder than he intended, but the fear in their eyes was something he was quickly becoming to enjoy.
Genya was confused by his question. 'What were they?' He of all people asking them that. "Grisha." Flinching the second his unnaturally black eyes landed on her. The darkness around them emphasizes their color. "We are Grisha, Moi Soverenyi."
Aleksander was taken aback by the title she addresses him in. "And who might you be?" He approached her cage. His eyes ran up and down her body. Not in a sick way you might be thinking. He was merely looking for any life-taking injuries. He's lost so many of his people already. "What is your name?"
"Why do you ask that?" She asked.
"Is it not proper to ask one's name upon meeting them?" He raised a brow at this woman's question.
Genya was stumped once more. "Genya Safin."
"What do you say to getting out of that cage, Ms. Safin." With no effort, he broke the lock on the door. Walking into the cage, he broke the ties on her hand. "Perhaps once we get the rest out, you can explain what is going on around here." Taking her hand, he helped her out of her prison. "Starting with whatever that might be."
Following his gaze towards the fold, she knew her thinking was correct. The man has officially gone mad. "That's the Shadow fold."
"Shadow fold." Its name was appealing to him. He had to admit he didn't enjoy his time inside the place. But it might just be useful to him. "Now, are there more of you that might need help? Perhaps being held someplace else?"
"In town." One dressed in blue replied. "There is another group being held by the first army."
"Well then, who's up for a trip to town?" He clapped his hands in a cheering manner. Just because the man didn't remember anything, did not mean he was going to abandon his people. Besides he was itching to see what else his shadow beasts could do. Just how far can they distance themselves from him before returning to his shadow. Tilting his head to the side he noticed the young woman lingering a few feet behind him. "Ms. Safin, am I correct to assume you know me?"
Genya jumped clearly lost in her own world. It takes her a few moments to realize he was speaking to her. "Yes sir."
"How?" He had never seen the woman before. She was pretty, even in her dirty state. He wasn't blind, but she wasn't normally the type of woman he liked to bed.
"Moi sover-" She gasped at his sudden turn, stumbling back to avoid crashing into him. "I-sir?"
"Do not call me that." Aleksander growled. "My name is-" He paused himself. His name was something he never shared, but to those, he kept close. His eyes flickered to her for a moment. "What do you know me as?"
"General Kirigan." Genya was relieved at sounding normal. Well, as normal as she could.
"Call me by that name." He muttered. "Kirigan." When did he become a general?
Genya nodded trying not to let her fear evident. "O-okay."
Aleksander closed his eyes for a moment, pinching the bridge of his nose. "How do we know each other? When did our paths cross?"
"I was found by the testers at the age of 10. They took me to the little palace where I met you. You then gifted me to the queen. To serve as a communication between you and them." Genya didn't go deep into her answer. If her suspicions were correct, it wouldn't even matter. He wouldn't remember it regardless. Whatever happened inside the fold between him and Alina, left him with no recollection of said events. "M-may I ask what is it you remember? The last thing."
Aleksander shook his head, trying to get his puzzled mind in order. "I gifted you?" He was not opposed to using those he could for his own agenda, but a child? That was past his boundaries. He has never harmed a child or woman.
"Y-yes sir." She couldn't see his face clearly in the dark. But there was something she hadn't seen in his eyes before. "Kiri-sir?"
"I-uh-I'm fine." Turning away from her he continued his way. "The last thing I remember is a bounty on my head and every Grisha that stood by my side from the king. My...a close friend had been killed at the hands of the king's army. It's blank after that."
Genya mauled over what she was just told. Based on the stories they knew of the black heretic, that was the night the fold was created. She didn't want to tell him, not knowing what it would do if he found out so abruptly. She needed to get word to Alina. "Many things have happened since that. But we should find somewhere safe."
Aleksander glanced over his shoulder at the men and women following him. They were going to need some horses if they were to continue after the town. Finishing anyone off wasn't the problem. The problem was walking when you're injured. "Those men that held you captured."
Genya frowned. "Yes?"
"Was their camp nearby?" Stopping to turn at her, he waited for his response. Patience with others was not something he was good at. "Ms. Safin?"
"It was about three miles from the location. To the east." At that moment she had signed every single soldier's death. "W-what are you going to do?"
"Relax Ms. Safin, I am simply in search of some horses." With a wicked smile, he called his horse over. "Anyone who wishes to come is welcome to do so. The rest will stay here and wait for my return." Grabbing a handful of the stallion's mane, he swung himself onto its back. "Make sure you stay hidden until we come back."
Genya had no choice but to follow him. Everyone else had opted to follow the man and she'd be damn stupid to stay alone. They reached the camp radiatively quickly. The general-should she even call him that? He was no longer a part of the first army. They branded him a traitor to the people and must be killed on site. Something almost no Grisha will ever do. To the Grisha, he has no harm. In fact, he had done everything to make them feared and respected. Built a safe place for them. Cared for them. Saved countless of them.
Jumping off his horse he sent the horse off to the side. Closing his eyes as he took in a deep breath, a Nichevo'ya emerged from his shadows. And still not a single sign of movement from the soldiers. Walking through the maze of tents, he reached the makeshift barn. Standing by the door, he ordered each one to grab a horse. Hearing the footsteps approaching, he hushed their movements. Standing behind the door Aleksander waited for the person to walk by. Reaching out he wrapped his arm around the man's neck, putting him into a headlock. His shadows swept into the man's nostrils and mouth before he had a chance to scream. Dropping the lifeless body to the group, he hurried the group.
Just as they walked in they walked out. Much to his disappointment, there wasn't any reason to kill the miserable humans. Had he done so, he would just prove them right by calling him a monster. Besides, he'll get his fill in town. No reason to pout.
Reaching a good distance everyone began mounting. Aleksander sat on his, waiting for them to do the same. Looking over the small group his eyes caught Genya struggling to climb onto the horse. Didn't help she chose one of the larger horses. With ease he jumped off the horse, making his way to her.
"Here."
Startled by his sudden appearance at his side, she looked over her. "Sorry?"
He laced his fingers together, creating a cup. "Place your right foot here."
With a slightly raised brow, she hesitantly did as ordered. A part of her feared he'd drop her the moment she did. Show the cruelty everyone spoke of. But as she stepped on his hands, she felt boosted up onto the horse. Pulling herself into a seat position, Genya found herself speechless once more. He grabbed her by the ankle moving her foot into the stirrup of the saddle. He walked around and did the same with the other foot. His hands ran across the saddle, tightening some straps and losing others. Slapping the large beast's neck, he gave her a stiff nod before turning without another word.
Was this how he was in his younger age? Genya wondered. Before whatever caused him to give into his darkness. Before the need for power overtook him. Watching him settle on the black steed, she noticed he wasn't as regal as he used to be. His eyes weren't as guarded. They seemed younger. Seeing the rest begin to trot after the Darkling, she urged the horse to do the same. Staying directly behind him, Genya had begun to devise a plan on how to get word to Alina.
