chapter 7: Celebration

Kara had to ring Artyom's ear who had indulged in the celebration with the soldiers and offered a cup of kvas to Yurii, whom she found falling asleep tipsy in the storage room at the back of the makeshift infirmary. Celebration was no reason to expose a youngling, not yet a man, to booze and smoke. Luka also came by to celebrate, talking proudly of his initiative to add a more pure form of gunpowder to the explosives and setting it with his Small Science for a stronger blast. " I was inspired to think creatively and in a novel way, just as you did for Vasily's surgery", he said standing tall, boasting. Kara ruffled his hair and chuckled, " Now you are being cocky! Careful that it does not become you. There is resourcefulness in being humble. That is how you continue learning and trying out new things".

The festive air in the camp was in great contrast with the bitterness of the cold. Soldiers were singing, dancing and laughing loudly outside their tents. Seraphine had tucked Yurii in his bed and Kara smiled tiredly as she dispatched the last merry wounded men from the infirmary to celebrate with their comrades. Kara did not easily make light conversation with strangers so she hardly felt like joining the men in the festivities. However, the feeling of joy emanating from them was contagious and she wanted to see them happy, smiling and staggering around the camp tipsy and merry. She wrapped herself in her winter uniform and added a fur shawl over it to keep the bite of the air at bay. She turned around to look at the empty infirmary. How strange, to think that her home for the last few months would be completely dismantled tomorrow. The cots were empty, the blankets tucked away and the lamps which usually lit up the barn at night had been removed to light up the center of camp for the evening. She knew that her relief at the sight of an empty infirmary would be short-lived. After their short visit to Os Alta, she would be sent to another battle front along with Seraphine and Artyom. She had agreed with Seraphine to find a safe place for Yurii to stay in the capital, where he could have a chance at a normal childhood. They had not told him yet, as the boy seemed too attached to staying with them. They would tell him soon enough.

She walked slowly to the camp center, which usually served for general announcements to both the First and Second Army. Tonight, it resembled nothing of its usual sober and quaint structure. The wooden stage used by the generals had been swept clean of snow and was used as a dancing floor. Many lamps had been added and strung between the tents so that it looked like they were surrounded by fireflies. Four large firepits had been made around the stage to warm the air and the army's stock of booze had been wheeled out in barrels for all to share. The soldiers danced while others sang, giving them a beat to strut around in their thick coats and boots. Kara stood at the edge of the plaza, breathing in the happiness flowing out as the Kvas was consumed in tankards. She chuckled as the singing became off key and the dancing more clumsy as the evening wore on. " Here", a cup of warm kvas was roughly given to her by none other than general Biryukov, whose face was half hidden by a black fur scarf. " You are off duty so do not try to evade a cup of kvas with your general. If not for the taste, at least drink it so as to keep you warm". She thanked him, and wrapped her gloved hands around the drink, relishing in the heat spreading to her fingers.

" So General", she said in a teasing tone, " how does it feel to be at the head of yet another successful mission? What tale will you be telling to the lords and ladies of Os Alta once we get there?". The general snorted," the lords and ladies of the court, just like the prince who was forcefully imposed upon us, think that wars and battles are easily won because Ravka has one of the largest armies. They forget, the number of men lost to win those battles". He grinned darkly, " I intend to be gruesome in my tales so that they do not forget that their lavish parties and tranquil living are paid in blood". Kara acted shocked, " You mean to slap them into a better sense of reality? My poor Biryukov, they are not like us. They are purebreds who would have us believe they do not go to the latrine like us little people". The general choked on his drink and laughed loudly, his head thrown back. Kara had rarely seen the old general so relaxed and she liked seeing him like this. She made a note of making him laugh more often. The general regained his composure," Saints Kara, you really have a tongue! I don't know a lady who would speak as you do". She raised an eyebrow, " Then why call me Dama Kara if I am unworthy of the title?". The General grinned, " I never said you were unworthy". He became more serious and thought for a moment, " Actually, you deserve it more than most".

Kara held her breath as she saw that her general was becoming restless. Him giving a compliment was uncommon. He was very demanding with everyone, accepting little else than perfect execution of his orders, refusing incompetence and lies. A compliment from Biryukov was to be cherished. He added gruffly, " for me a lady is defined, yes by grace, which you have little of. A lady is also defined by having a good heart and thinking of others before herself, which you do selflessly. I do not regret a single moment having taken you on as our head healer". Kara was blushing and looked into her drink. She didn't know how to react. Biryukov changed his demeanor and become colder, " However I would appreciate you reporting information to me before my Grisha counterpart. It would avoid me appearing like a fool". Kara opened her mouth to apologize but the general held his hand up to stop her. " what's done is done. Promise me only that it won't happen again". Kara was relieved, " I was exhausted general. His tent was closer than yours. That was the only reason". Biryukov took a sip from his cup, looking up at the dancers. He looked at her from the corner of his eye, " Speaking of which, have you been able to rest? Those bags under your eyes are a shade less darker yes but still very much present". He noticed his cup was empty and started to move away to a tankard for a refill, " Do not stay out too late, Kara. Get some shut eye before our early rise tomorrow." and with that he disappeared into the crowd.

A soldier standing close to her approached her. It was Vasily, standing on a crutch with a cup in his other hand. " I couldn't help but overhear the general, and I agree that we are lucky to have you with us". He hobbled to face her, his eyes slightly hazy from the drink, " I would not be walking if not for your genius idea in associating surgery and grisha magic." He chuckled, " Grisha can boast of their superiority with their Small Science but our head healer has a sharper mind then they do". Two soldiers standing close and who had spent some time in the infirmary cried out " hear hear!" they drank in unison and Kara wanted nothing more than to disappear at the bottom of her cup. She saw Ania speaking with Igor on the other side of the plaza and decided it was her escape from overwhelming compliments. She excused herself, claiming she needed a refill and headed through the crowd to the two Corporalki.

As She got closer, she saw that Igor was trying to flirt with Ania, who did not seem receptive to his charms. She was looking out to the dancing soldiers, nodding from time to time without looking at what Igor was boasting about the intervention by the waterfall. When Ania saw Kara making her way to them, she seemed relieved. " lady Kara", called out Ania, " How fairs our patient Vasily? Were you not speaking with him just then?". Kara nodded, " I think he was quite impressed by the result of our teamwork. Thank you again for participating in this new operating procedure". Ania smiled sweetly towards Igor, " Did you hear? We are being innovative". Igor smiled, he seemed to be happy to see Ania so proud. Kara made a note to tease Ania about this if they ever got on closer terms. Igor added, looking at Kara this time, " You seem to have a knack for good ideas. I would never have thought to imprint a heartbeat to apply to another heart for reanimation. The prince was lucky to have you by his side." Ania was startled by the change in Igor's angle and seemed displeased that Kara was now getting his attention. Kara who had fled the attention of Vasily to end up getting another compliment from the heartrender, decided to change the subject.

" And what of your General? I have not seen him tonight. I was expecting him to be celebrating with his soldiers". Igor became grim, " Our general does not think that it is an effective way of spending his time. He does not meddle at parties unless there is a political need of it. He is probably in his tent, planning for our return to the capital". Kara was surprised, " Does he take no enjoyment from this success?". Igor was uncomfortable, Ania noticed and came to his rescue, " I'm sure General Kirigan is very happy that we can have peace, at least for now on the Ferdjan border." Igor seemed relieved by Ania's intervention. Igor was thoughtful, " The general is always looking to the future. He's older then most of us other Grisha, so he might think that our success may be short-lived. I know he plans to pressure the king to intervene in political discussions with the Ferdjan royal family to settle disputes at the border." Kara was startled, " the general can pressure the king? I thought no one could partake in the final decisions of our monarch." Both Igor and Ania sneered and Kara for a second, felt like a child kept out of a secret. Igor smiled wryly, " Our king cannot take the chance of having the Darkling as an opponent. If the general needs something, he'll make sure the king makes the RIGHT decision". Ania chuckled and swallowed the last drops of her cup, smacking her lips in satisfaction. " I do not know about you two, but I am getting a refill. Who knows when we'll celebrate next". She discovered quickly into the crowd, followed quickly by Igor who bid Kara good night.

Kara mused over what had just transpired. It was daunting to think that General Kirigan could have so much power. Then again, she had heard rumors about his power and how fear of what he could do was sometimes enough to sway events in his favor. Her time on the Ferdjan front was the first time she had come into close contact with the General. He seemed closed off, distant but she had not yet seen what caused some of the First Army to fear him. The festive air was coming at an end. The frost was making the thinner of them, seek the heat of their cot and blankets. She decided to leave with the first wave, knowing that they would have to wake up before dawn to pack. As she left the plaza, her steps lead her, without thought infront of the black tent of General Kirigan. His Oprichnik, the one called Konstantin looked at her with a quizzical eye. She summoned her courage and said, " Is the general still awake?". Konstantin nodded. A man of few words thought Kara. She pressed on, " I'd like a word, if he would receive me". Konstantin scowled but made a sign to his counterpart on the other side of the entrance. The other soldier went in. Kara waited calmly, making smoke clouds with her breath, feeling the cold burn her nostrils. The soldier came out again and nodded that she could enter. She stepped under the flap of black cotton and tapped her boots at the entrance to remove most of the snow. General Kirigan was standing waiting for her, his back to the table which had been cleared of all the previous documents she had seen. It seems unnaturally bear, showing its quaint structure, that of a farm house workshop.

The General looked curious, " Dama Kara, to what do I owe the pleasure of this late evening visit? Should you not be celebrating with the others?". Their was slight disdain in the way he said " the others", and she knew he meant, the other unendowed of the First Army. She looked at him calmly, " Why do you say it like that?". He raised an eyebrow, " Say it like what?". She weighed her words, " You have no idea why I have come and yet your tone is almost insulting. Yes, I belong with the First Army men, and they are brave. They fight without any magic gifts because they want to protect their homeland just as much as Grisha. You may look down upon them if you wish. However, I would ask that you mask that disdain with me out of courtesy". Kirigan was surprised. She was calling him out on a behavior he had bared so long, he was no longer conscious of it. He straightened stiffly, " You are right. I apologize for the understatement in my tone. Why are you here?". She paused and looked at him, searching for her words. " I think I wanted to thank you".

The general stepped closer, crossing his arms musing, " and for what?" She removed her gloves and warmed her hands over the firepit within the tent. " Had you not agreed to Ania helping out at the First Army infirmary today, the festive air would be...less festive. Your compliance has made our victory easier to enjoy. As a healer, I can ask for nothing more." She turned towards him and smiled warmly. Kirigan was at a loss for words. He was not used to praises or kind words. Most of his interactions with others were lukewarm, just enough to gain alliances. As he trusted no one, it seemed to ooze out of him, making others uncomfortable at best. The other Grisha acknowledged his presence, but he could hardly say he had friends. He felt even more uneasy with his previous unwelcoming behavior. he cleared his throat, " It was Ania's idea, I only obliged because none of the Second Army were wounded". Kara slipped her gloves back on and readjusted her coat. She cocked her head to the side, grinning, " You don't know how to take a compliment. A "your welcome" would suffice". She said more seriously, " I am grateful, for the men in my care, who would not dare to thank you themselves". The corner of the general's mouth twitched, the beginning of a smile forming, " You are welcome". They stood a moment together, relishing in a kind moment shared between strangers. Kara adjusted her hat and bowed slightly, " good night Moi General". Kirigan nodded kindly, " good night Dama Kara".