Chapter 26

After Kara had voiced her recommandation, the shadow summoner had shut himself into a profound silence. The light was fading fast and so the healer had coaxed the general onto his horse and they had set their course towards the Palace of Os Alta. He did not speak during the ride, his horse was the only entity by his side making any noise. Please do not shut me out, she wanted to plea. yet she also knew that people needed time to come to terms with the harshness of reality. She could not speed up the process. She could only wait and be present if he needed.

Once the horses were left at the stables, Alexhander did not wait for Kara. He marched quickly, his head down in shame, towards his quarters. The staff had done incredible work to clean up after his mess. The shattered chandelier had been removed, making the hall appear quite plain and empty. A new set of doors had been placed onto new hinges to secure his rooms. Considering the close design with the ones prior, the general suspected that the staff had anticipated this event, and ordered new doors to an artisan. He shook his head in disbelief. I am therefore predictable. Every autumn with the arrival of the scouts, they plan for the damages associated with my disappointment. His corporalki were not yet present. They would come to guard him again in the morning, keeping their distance for the moment. How wise of them, the general thought.

He gently pushed the door to his war room and stepped inside. The table had been set to its original place. his papers had been stacked in haste and mixed in a shamble together. No matter, he would work through them in the morning. He went to his bedroom without paying much attention. His mind was still set on the emotional fog and stupor of having to go through another year of waiting. His room had been rearranged. New pillows, a new mattress and sheets had been carefully arranged on his bed. The clothes had been folded away or sent to the housekeepers for cleaning. The apparent gash on the wall however, could not be removed. It would appear as yet another scar, to be hidden away with a fresh coat of lime and paint in a few days.

He opened a wooden chest at the foot of his bed and selected a bottle amongst the few hidden away. He was not one to often indulge in drink. However, once a year, he would drown his solitude with one of the finest brews of Ravkan Vodka. He would sit by the fire and he would sip the content directly from the flagon without deigning to use a glass. He would then dive into the darkness waiting below the surface of his skin and let it wash over him. He would forget everything for a few hours down to his name. The next morning, he would be bedridden by a terrible hangover and order to be left alone. He would emerge 2-3 days later and start his recovery.

As he pressed the bottle to his trembling lips, he could not avoid the recurring fear. How long would he have to wait? How many more years? How many more kings and queens to serve? How many more feigned deaths and transformations to appear as the near shadow summoner? As he crumbled into his chair set by the warm flames, he shuddered. The healer had made it worse by pointing to the fact that he was wasting his time. Was he? Everything he was setting in motion was meticulously calculated to have effects decades from now. When the sun summoner would appear, everything would be ready. He swallowed the drink and it burned his throat, causing his eyes to smart. She does not understand, he told himself. And indeed how could she? She did not know how old he was. Everyone believed him to be but a century old. He had made sure that no one would guess the truth. He had lived a thousand years and would probably go one to live centuries more.

He felt his throat close into a tight knot. He shut his eyes. He could hear his mother's voice inside his head. You silly boy, she would say. I did not raise you to pine after companionship. You are exceptional. you are above others. You cannot have what others do. You must set yourself for higher ambitions. He shook his head to push her voice away and swallowed some more vodka. The night would prove to be long.

Kara had walked slowly back to her room. She had paused in the hall, wondering if she should go see Alexhander. His words still echoed in her mind. I have experienced all that I can, he had said. She could not believe that to be true. A sunset can be repetitive if you are set on focusing on its colors. however, they are different in the moods we feel at that moment, they are different in the company we hold at that instant. She wanted to prove him wrong. To show him that beauty could still strike him and that he could be moved by it. She pondered on the idea as she removed her boots and placed them by her door. As she changed into her nightwear and slipped under the covers, an idea began to form. She knew of an event the shadow summoner had probably never lived and she was set on providing him with the experience.

The next morning, Kara was summoned by the king to share her training program over tea. Her heart had accelerated as the servant had indicated she was expected within the hour. After much thought, she decided she could not ask Alexhander to accompany her. It would be too clear that she was being protected. She had to appear as if she knew nothing of the king's intentions. However, for her own safety, she decided to hide a needle she used for the lancing of abscesses. She pinned it within the cuff of her army vest. She dressed as the healer she was, to remind him she was no court princess to be swept off her feet. She looked over the second copy of her program destined for her monarch, much lighter and less thorough than the one she had provided to the shadow summoner. She had omitted anything relative to what she had found in the little palace library. She wrapped the document in a clean cloth and tucked it under her arm. She quickly wrote a note for the shadow summoner, indicating where she would be. She indicated that if she was not back by 11 O'clock, he would have to worry and come searching for her. As she passed the door to his chambers, She saw Igor and another heart-render guarding the doors. She gave her note to Igor and he seemed worried. " Are you sure you do not want to be escorted to his majesty?", he said softly so not to be overheard by his companion who seemed set on ignoring the healer. She chuckled, " It would be probably wiser yes. However, you have your duty to tend to and Alexhander is to be left alone today. I will be alright".

The king had invited her to a small reception room close to his chambers which irked Kara. All her instincts told her to be vigilant and so her movements were slow and coiled. If she needed to run she would. She would prefer to be rotting in a dungeon for having vexed the king rather than to submit to his touch. She breathing slowly to calm herself as she was announced by a servant. She was invited to enter. The king was was standing by two plush chairs by the fire. A fine porcelain tray with tea and biscuits was waiting. He was dressed in hunting gear which was less impressive than his gold clad costumes for the ball. He seemed more accessible and Kara guessed it was his intention to appear harmless. She bowed as was custom and waited several steps away, her program pressed to her chest for comfort.

The king bowed, his eyes always on her. "Ah Lady Kara, I am glad we have this moment to exchange between us. I am aware that my command came as somewhat of a surprise to you." His eyes softened and his head dipped down slightly, " I apologize for uprooting you from your military functions." She was surprised by his kind words. " Thank you... for acknowledging it Moi Korol". He showed an opened hand to one of the chairs. "Please have a seat". She slowly walked forward, making a wide berth around his majesty. She sat stiffly and placed her training program on her lap. The king laid back into his chair his eyes twinkling. " I hope you feel comfortable?". The healer did not know how to answer that question. She looked down at he cup of tea a quiet servant was holding out for her. She took it gently while answering, " My stay at the palace is pleasant compared to traveling on the road. However, I fail to see how I am more useful here than healing soldiers in your army".

The king stroked his beard thinking. " I know it may seem bizarre from your point of view. However I would be a fool in not seeing that your methods deserve to be known further than a set of 2 or 3 healers." Kara was skeptical, " Then why not have me teach our own? It would be more beneficial than to try to teach Grisha who do not wish to be taught by a non gifted". The king chuckled, " I could see how that would seem more logical." He became more serious, tucking on his beard. " I know little of the small sciences. However, what I do see, is that where summoners of water, fire, air seem to have no limits to their potential, General Kirigan has always been skittish about his heart-renders and healers. His most frequent excuse is that their small science can be depleted if solicited too often". He took a report from a side table and pulled out a thin pair of golden glasses which he placed on the bridge of his nose. " I have a letter here from your fellow Healer Artyom who has rendered a detailed account of the surgery which you have excelled in on a soldier's shattered spine. From what I read here, the initial goal, to which the grisha healer had agreed, was for you to execute part of the surgery prior to her intervention, therefore saving her energy for the most crucial part of this risky medical procedure. Is this correct?".

Kara was at a loss for words. Her mouth was dry " Artyom wrote a report?". The king winked over his glasses, " My dear, anyone is willing to write a report if I ask it". The healer did not know what to think of it. Was Artyom forced to reveal each consideration they had had with Ania to ensure the success of the operation? Was this not already a revelation that should not have transpired to protect the knowledge on small science? " Yes your excellency, that is correct", she whispered. He beamed at her reply, " There! Then indeed my intuition was correct. Grisha do have extraordinary powers but they intend on safekeeping it due to...ah, their limited supply". He removed his glasses and replaced the report on the table. " You see I have been frustrated in our inability to work hand in hand with the general. Some of our best generals and soldiers could have been saved if only we had KNOWN of this limitation. That is why the fusion of minute surgery and Grisha Magic is essential. That is why I asked you to train them this year". He nodded towards her lap, his eyes lingering a little too long on her legs. " Have you brought something for us to discuss?".

Kara shuffled uncomfortably under his gaze. " Yes, I have written down a form of proposal for the training you have asked. I will have it validated by Alexhander as well before starting next week". She had intentionally used the shadow summoner's name to highlight their presumed intimacy. The king smiled slyly. " Ah yes, indeed the two of you seem somewhat of an item. Interesting that you should both choose to be so explicit at a formal event and yet do not share many intimate moments otherwise". Kara stiffened, " We do share moments, they just so happen to be behind closed doors or away from the palace". The king was not convinced. "You forget that I have eyes and ears everywhere within these walls. All I have heard is that you have not shared one night together as of yet. So either you are at the very start of a romantic relationship, or he is not that interested in you and is therefore doing it to vex me". Kara was trying to stay calm and avoid the flush of her cheeks. So nothing is secret here, she thought. She knew that contradicting him would only make the scam all the clearer.

The king leaned forward his hand extended to receive her program. " May I?". Kara was surprised at the change of intention. one second the king made it clear he did not believe in her intimate relations with the shadow summoner and the next he seemed interested in her work. As she looked into his eyes she saw a cold intelligence lurking behind a fake smile. He was more complex than she had anticipated and would not submit to desire unless he was certain of the consequences. So if we do have elements to prove we are together, Kara thought hopeful, than I will be safe. She smiled weakly and handed the leather poach and its content to her monarch.