Chapter 1 - Our start of forever
Alina never second guessed her decision to forsake her name and life at once with the Fold. As she watched her body burn along with the Darkling, the sweet smoke stinging her nose, Mal’s warm hand holding hers, she knew she made the right choice. The people had their martyred Sankta and she - finally, finally – had her peaceful and ordinary life, with her love, away from wars, schemes and magic of any kind. A perfectly exceptional, ordinary life.
Genya, David, Zoya and Nikolai understood Alina’s wish for a quiet existence, maybe even envied her a bit for having it become a reality. And while Nikolai and Zoya offered both her and Mal positions of influence in the ravkan court and the Grisha Triumvirate, they understood when their proposition was refused. Nikolai, however, could not accept his friend’s refusal, when he offered them both a monthly stipend for their efforts in stopping the Darkling and took it upon himself to rebuild the orphanage of Keramzin. Albeit reluctant, Alina and Mal accepted, knowing life would be difficult and caring for and orphanage even more so, when they had nothing to their name.
Such the day has come for them to leave Os Alta. The group of six said their goodbyes in the Little Palace courtyard, teary hugs and promises to visit exchanged. The last to hug her, Genya held onto Alina a moment longer and embraced her a fraction tighter - a part of their life was over for good.
As their farewell ended, Zoya approached with a box, tightly wrapped.
“Open it later. And know we mean it.”
A nod of her head and another poignant smile later, Alina sits next to Mal in their carriage, hands tightly held, watching the world pass them by and their future come to them. As they have always wanted it to be.
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That day, in a small, ravaged chapel from a small, ravaged village, a young couple stood in front of each other and promised their lives and loves to one another. The priest, their only witness heard none of the names the young hearts whispered to each other. He heard those written on the license. And then forgot them fast.
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The construction of the orphanage took less time than expected. Things tend to move along way faster when a ravkan prince commissions the building. Not that the village of Keramzin was aware of that.
Word started going around from the moment the two young newlyweds - that bought Duke Keramasov’s ruined lands - arrived at the only inn in those grounds. People did not decide to settle in Keramzin by choice – they were either born and raised and too old to leave or young but too poor to go. No one chose to stay in Keramzin and make a life out there. Especially after the war, after the Darkling and after what was to come. Yet this couple came in and took the market by storm, buying homeware, furniture and clothes for dozens of people, in all sizes. The butchery, grain and vegetable vendors and the live animal merchants were very happy those days, making quite hefty sales and the promise of contract for monthly merchandise delivered to the old Keramsov’s grounds. Such abundance has never been seen in Keramzin. So, they took the coin with a dose of skepticism. But they all understood when the baker, Dima, took courage to talk to the young man.
“Say, lad…aren’t you storing a few too many breads and beds for the two of you alone? And your woman is a slight lass at that…” He asked, shifting his eyes over the small frame of the woman.
“We’re making sure we have enough for when the children come.” Answered Mal with a smile, knowing how they attracted the attention of the villagers, albeit unwillingly.
“You’re too young to have grown children.”
“Not ours.” Interrupted Alina smiling. “We are opening the orphanage again; we’re preparing for when the children come.” She knew the whole village would find out soon anyway, and maybe this would help stump the mistrust of the people
The baker released a grunt, clearly not interested in a warmer response now that he had his answer. He packed the bread and send the pair on their way, their goodwill not thawing his frigid reaction.
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Thank you to all of you who have showed interest in this little project of mine. I truly did not expect anything when I first posted so knowing that someone is actually reading what I write was a bit demoralizing. Add a severe bout of depression into the equation and you have me :)
I will make no promises regarding posting schedule and chapter lengths because I might change the way I do things along the way. Right now I am going to try and post smaller chapters, more often. I am also hoping this will help with my excessive overthinking.
Again, thank you for your time and good day.
O.
