Chapter 41:
Alexhander had held vigil by the healer. She had refused anyone tending to her and remained prostrate by the tent's fire. He had tried to question her but she shook her head and whispered, " Tomorrow", as her eyes drooped. Finally, she had fallen asleep under the safety of his arms and the warmth of his fur cloak. His anger filled the room with utter darkness which made his guards at the entrance of the tent uneasy. The general was furious. He believed he knew the healer enough to know that rushing into the Fold was unlike her. Why had the Tailor rushed in? Was he so unhappy to be at the Little palace that he would forsake his existence? Alexhander could not fathom the conundrum of these events. In the end, he only knew that if someone had forced his beloved into the Fold, there would be no mercy in his heart.
BELOVED. Indeed, he could not hide the fact that he had come to love this woman. He remembered his utter terror when Irina had mentioned that Kara had crossed the barrier. He knew his soul would have been ripped apart as it had many centuries ago, when this had all started. He had sworn off love and companionship to protect himself and had done so beautifully for decades on end. However, this Otkazat'sya had found a way to peal his iron protection, secure a place in his chest and make it hers. Oh, he was done for. The very thought of anyone harming her was heart-wrenching. He would protect her. He would make sure she lived. He pushed back the small voice irritating his mind. She is mortal. She will die one day anyway. He clenched a fist at the thought, his lovers body still asleep by his side. NO. He would find a way to keep her with him. If he had to call upon more potent Small Science to do it, so be it. He would not lose her.
Kara awoke in the early morning, her bandaged arm stinging and sore. She took in her surroundings, not remembering her apparition in the general's tent. The fire had died down, the ashes smoldering. As she turned slowly around, she felt a hand around her waist and a warm breath in the nap of her neck. Alexhander was asleep, his body mirroring her own. His grip was tight, holding onto her protectively. She placed her hands under her head and contemplate the Shadow Summoner. How calm and relaxed he looked. Kara had thought her life was at its end just a couple of hours ago. She had feared never seeing her friends and love again. YES, LOVE. She could not deny the feeling in her chest. The warmth that spread every-time she looked at him. She was alive. All the moments hence forth with him would be even more precious. She was alive, and she intended to LIVE. Alexhander opened his eyes slowly and saw the healer's soft blue irises searching his face. She was beautiful, even with her hair ruffled and her face pale. She smiled softly as if to apologize for the previous night. The general forgot his earlier anger instantly. It did not matter. She was alive. The Tailor was alive. He pulled her closer and kissed her gently, holding onto the feeling of her lips on his. They snuggled like that a while, not wanting to break the bubble of time they had. Not yet.
As Kara nursed a cup of warm tea accompanied by biscuits, the general inquired gently, " Will you tell me what happened last night?". The healer was silent. Something on the edge of her mind warned her not to tell him of the Volcra's absence of reaction to her presence. So long as she could not fathom it, she would not talk of it. I need to see Baghra, she thought. Why did she think of the old hag? The woman who had absolutely terrified her months ago? And why did she not trust her love with the information? She did not know. The information seemed better kept secret. She decided to go in part with the lie she had constructed with Timofei. It was her best option. She took a sip of her tea. " As much as you would like to believe I am well integrated with your Grisha comrades, it is untrue. My students accept me but others have made my life miserable ever since my classes have shown success. I told you I was worried. You did not listen. Irina and some others have made it...difficult. Timofei was no better off. He has been often pummeled in empty rooms of the Little Palace in the short moments he was left without a guard. We discussed it and...as wild as it might seem, we wanted an opportunity to prove that we belong. You once told me not to attempt Igraya Smrak and I looked into it. We were desperate. We were afraid. So we agreed to try it. It was the ONLY WAY to be left alone".
The general was silent, his face cringed in pain. He locked his fingers together, his hands pressed to his mouth. His eyes twinkled in an alarming way. His voice was hoarse. " I am sorry I did not understand. I did not know you both suffered this much from the unruly behavior of certain of my soldiers." He sighed, " ...but to attempt such a dangerous game? I do not believe it was worth the risk. You both could have died". Kara placed her cup onto the table and grabbed his hand with hers. His fingers were tense and she rubbed gently with her thumbs, hoping to loosen the tension. Kara felt a lump in her throat at the lie, " It was my choice. It was foolish. I am sorry too". Alexhander could still not understand something. Why had Irina said that Kara had rushed in the Fold AFTER Timofei? If it was a joined decision, would they not have stepped into the darkness together? As much as his heart ached to let the matter rest, something was not adding up. The healer was holding something back. He knew it. Why? Unbeknown to the healer he found a moment to whisper to Lieutenant Konstantin, " Find Irina, Timofei and Esfir and summon them to my tent".
Kara turned white as the three Grisha arrived within the tent. The general looked calm and composed. however his gaze was cold. He does not believe me, she thought. Timofei looked curious but unafraid. He knew what story he would tell. It would corroborate with Kara's version of events. They would be safe. Esfir looked sheepish and Irina looked not far from losing her breakfast. Alexhander took their different expressions in. The general announced the objective of the meeting. " You have been summoned concerning last night's events. There are...details which do not add up. I want the truth". He walked slowly between them," Know that if any of you lie, I will take it into account in the punishment you will face. If you are found guilty of anything against our laws, you will find no mercy here". Irina gulped in fear. Kara was pale. They looked at each other for an instant. The healer could say nothing to warn her of her intent. The general stopped by the heart-render and whispered, " Esfir, how did you lose sight of the Tailor? He was entrusted to your care was he not?". The heart-render's mouth twitched, " Yes sir he was, I...". Timofei intervened, " It was my doing General. If you have noticed I was not allowed a specific kefta. It was hard to identify me in the crowd once I changed my face and body. As we were dancing, the density of our congregation was enough for her to lose sight of me for a second. I changed my appearance to look like another Grisha who had retired earlier to his tent. It was EASY. I then could escape and join Kara to our agreed meeting spot". The shadow summoner fumed, " Your Small Science is indeed impressive. I'll make sure you have your own Kefta once we are back at the Little Palace. If you do NOT wear it and I find out you have stolen another's identity, your life will be forfeit". The Tailor gulped but nodded.
The general turned to Esfir and whispered, " You are lucky that this Tailor you so despise has brought forth an explanation to cover your incompetence. Know that I consider your lack of attention incredibly disappointing". Esfir bowed her head in shame. The general walked slowly over to Irina. He paused for a second, his voice breaking, " We used to be close you and I". The blond trembled but said nothing, holding her shaking hands in her back. He added gently, " I hope you will tell me the truth. I know you well enough to know when you are lying". Irina looked to Kara with pleading eyes, " I saw very little Moi general and it was dark. I only saw Lady Kara and the Tailor step into the Fold from afar." Alexhander raised an eyebrow, " Lady Kara? You call her by her honorary first army title? That is unlike you. You despise the woman". Irina bit her lip, " I am only trying to be polite". At that moment, Igor came into the tent. most of the participants were puzzled by his intrusion. Only the general seemed unruffled by his arrival.
" Ah Igor, you are here. good. Join us". The heart-render bowed and joined the gathering. Esfir looked at her comrade with wide-eyes. The general added menacingly, " I will ask Igor a few questions and I want NONE of you to intervene." He said this by staring coldly at Timofei who cowered. Igor stood stiffly. The general looked at him gently. "Igor, I believe you are one of my most trusted Corporalki. Pray tell me what you know". Igor looked at Esfir. He was still angry at his comrade's assailants. Who ever had attacked Esfir needed to be punished. Kara looked wild eyed and seemed to shake her head in warning. He knew that his testimony would not fit with whatever she had decided to say. However, his sense of justice was stronger. Between gritted teeth, he mumbled, " Esfir was attacked last night by one of our own." The air in the tent dropped in temperature instantly. The General was tense, his jaw tight. " By who?", the shadow summoner inquired. Igor shook his head, " We do not know General. All I know is that the Tailor did not do it". The general turned to Esfir, " Is this true?". The brunette whimpered, " I ...I was hit across the head from the back as I was speaking with the Tailor. I do not remember any detail of my assailants". Irina almost sighed in relief. Alexhander caught the slight change in body posture and noted to question her.
Alexhander's skin was framed by molecules of shadow. His anger apparent. " So indeed, one of our most important rules was broken. Your assailants will be punished severely Esfir. You have my word. However, do not lie to me again". The brunette quaked in fright and nodded. The shadow summoner turned to Timofei, " What did you see Tailor?". The red-head turned to Kara, unsure on what to say. Kara's eyes were downcast, her lie unraveling slowly. She tilted her head slightly as if to say, say what you wish to say. Timofei thought fast. Kara had saved him. She was protecting their assailants. He knew not why but he would give as little information as possible. He said calmly, " Esfir's attacker was masked and did not wear a kefta. I could not identify him". Irina froze with shock. He lied. He had seen her coming with Armen before he was gagged and stripped of his winter cloths and boots. Why was he protecting their identities? The General drummed his fingers to his chin. " So Esfir was attacked and you were kidnapped." the Tailor frowned. How could he know? He hesitated, " kidnapped General?". The shadow summoner was irritated, " Do you all take me for a fool? You and Kara have rope burns on your wrists. I do not remember that being part of Igraya Smrak". Kara closed her eyes in surrender. Saints, there would be no way of hiding the truth from him.
Alexhander turned to Irina and his figure was now tall and menacing, the shadows writhing around their master. " It is interesting, that you came to me, knowing that two of our party had gone into the Fold. Yet, both were bound and apparently roughly handled prior to their entry through the barrier." He whispered dangerously close to her face, " My theory is that they went in not of their own accord". Igor was livid with anger as he looked upon the water summoner. He almost choked on his words, " Irina, did you...do you know who did this?!". Esfir's was red with fury. " Kara...was attacked?". She looked accusingly towards her teacher. Kara felt like all the air had left the room. She stared frozen as her lover stared dangerously at the water summoner. He was a cobra ready to strike at the smallest threat. Kara intervened, " It does not matter who did it!". Alexhander froze and turned to her in astonishment. " Do you not want to know who risked your life?". Kara thought fast, " Yes we were attacked and pushed into the Fold. I did not tell you because I knew you would want retribution." She looked at him pleading, " No ONE has died. If you go through your desire to find the culprits and punish them, what will your soldiers think? That you would hurt your own for an ungifted one and a traitor? There will be no end to the daily tortures we would face with Timofei." She breathed in to slow her drumming heart. Alexhander listened intently. She continued, " I beg you. If Irina knows who has forced us into the Fold is neither here not there. let it REST. Let the second army believe that we wanted to prove our worth with Igraya Smrak. We will have gained the respect of those that hated us. The ones that care for us will not seek vengeance. The second army will not turn on itself on my account". The shadow summoner looked at his lover with care. She had thought a step farther on repercussions. She would ensure that his army would stay safe and whole.
Irina's heart broke at the look he gave to the healer. He had NEVER looked at her that way. The general looked at all those around him. He nodded, " I am disappointment that you felt the need to lie to me. Yet, I see the value in the lie. It is decided then. The story you will all keep is the one that Kara mentioned last night. The tailor and her both foolishly attempted Igraya Smrak and came back alive". He looked slowly at each of them to make the matter clear. The Grisha were then dismissed coldly from the tent. Only Kara and the shadow summoner remained. Alexhander could not help the words escape his lips, " It is in moments like this that I am doomed to love you". The moment was awkward but the general did not care. This woman was the rarest combination of bravery and kindness. The fact that his path had somehow crossed hers was border to a miracle. Kara smiled gently, " Then I believe we are both doomed". The shadow summoner's eyes grew bright with happiness.