The First Sun Summoner | The Darkling *on hold*

𝕮𝖍𝖆𝖕𝖙𝖊𝖗 𝖘𝖎𝖝

A/N: This chapter includes spoilers for the shadow and bone trilogy. Also reference to 'The Demon in the Wood, A Darkling Prequel Story'. It was reposted, changed and worth rereading.

"Concentrate! Focus on the light! Cover that annoyed face right now, I can assure you I am having it worse, girl." The woman hadn't shown any mercy on Astra. "Don't pity yourself! You're useless... People really believe you will save Ravka?" It was horrible, but it also worked. Astra was getting more determined with the minute to prove that old woman wrong.

Astra had been ordered to take a few other classes. History of Ravka for example, but also the history of Fjerda, history of Shu Han, history of Novyi Zem, even history of Kerch.

In between her classes, training, and private training, she was also very busy making friends. At breakfast, she first dined with the Darkling, then sat at the Heartrenders table or the Materialki or the Etherealki. She was surprised how friendly she could be, it also seemed to work very well. The only person getting in her way was Lilith Finley.

Lilith tried to ruin her plan by spreading rumors. She was busy trying to convince everyone Astra wasn't a shadow summoner at all. It worked though, people thought it was weirdly suspicious she couldn't use her powers.

Astra laid in her bed that morning. The old woman, who was appointed as her private trainer, had planned an extra session. It wasn't going very well with Astra's sun summoner training. Ever since the woman had told her she could only do it when her emotions were the better of her, it didn't work anymore. Only glimpses of light appeared when the woman had told again how useless she was.

She had mumbled something in Ravkan, but Astra had understood it all too well. "Beznako..." The woman had said. Astra immediately spat back, "Ne ya beznako!" I am not a lost cause. The woman had just laughed. "Find your yunejhost with the sol." Find your unity with the sun.

She looked at the clock beside her, it was almost time for breakfast. Astra had freshened herself up and changed into her black kefta. Astra looked into the mirror and didn't see the same girl as she was two weeks ago. That girl had been spinning around with a face full of joy, the girl right now had dark circles under her eyes. It looked like those Lilith had naturally but with Lilith, it looked beautiful, with Astra it looked like she hadn't slept for a month and she wouldn't be surprised if that was true.

She wandered towards the great dining hall like her normal routine. On her way there, however, she ran into Clive. "Astra... Thank- goodness-" He took a deep breath while panting deeply. "Plans have- changed." Astra rolled her eyes, "I know Clive, extra training with the grumbling old woman. Let me have breakfast first." She sighed.

Clive shook his head. "No, put these on." In his hands were a pair of boots. Not normally ones like she was wearing, but ones people would wear when they would go horseback riding. "No way Clive, I am not going horseback riding." Clive just shrugged, "Order from our Soverennyi." Of course, this was the Darkling's idea.

Clive led her to the stables and there was a black horse waiting for her. Its skin was as dark as her kefta while the horse tack was as golden and bright as her light once was. The stable boy helped her on her horse and she went outside. The reins were clenched in her hands and then she saw him.

He stood there with his own horse. His horse was dark gray and had the darkest tack. "Oh Miss Éowyn. A pleasure to see you again." Behind them stood two guards and a Grisha. He jumped onto his horse but didn't look away from her. "If this is your idea of becoming friends, it's a bad one. I hate horseback riding, it makes me dizzy."

The Darkling smirked and began to ride slowly in the other direction. "Hey, Mister Sorevennyi." He turned around, "So you know my title?"

Title? Please. She thought to herself. He began to ride faster now and Astra decided to follow. The Grisha and guards also followed from a small distance. She hoped there would be food at the place they were going to, a girl has to eat.