Past memories and Fedyor, not having a good day at all.
The noise was that of a fight that just commenced, now why would there be any fighting in this part of the woods if not for the…Valeria suddenly stilled, 'The Fjerdans know. It's the Drüskelle then. Of course they would know, anyone that isn't blind, would've seen the bright light that Alina made appear.'
And the other party would be the Grisha that are searching for them, Valeria concludes.
She almost grits her teeth in annoyance, seeing this, Alina and Mal grew more concerned.
Mal took a step closer to Valeria in worry,
"Ria…do you think it's the Fjerdans?" He asks making the same deduction as her.
Seeing her nod in response, made him look at the girl behind him, who looked at him back in worry and fear.
Alina.
"Alina, Mal." Valeria then pulled their attention to her, seeing them finally put their focus on her, Valeria then intently looked into their eyes. " I want both of you to do something for me, will you comply with my request?"
Mal then began shaking his head in denial, because he knew what she was going to ask of them.
Valeria would always put herself in harm's way for them, before they could even protest.
"I don't like where you're going with this, Ria. Don't, just don't. Let's just stay here together, they can handle themselves. " he said sternly, but also in worry for the girl he considers to be like their elder sister.
No, she is their big sister, he thinks firmly.
He won't let her do something like that again.
Even when they were in the First Army, when they had to go through the enemy lines, Valeria would always put herself in front.
To protect him.
They were thirteen going on fourteen then, for saints sake. They shouldn't even have been in harm's way then, their leading officer told their group that they'd be safe, and that they should only be on the lookout.
But no, they weren't safe then. If Valeria hadn't done what she did, back then, they wouldn't even be here.
And Mal will never forget the look on her face from that moment onwards.
It haunted him. Still does.
Valeria got recognition from the leading officers for her actions after that, and was promoted to a higher position. And then that promotion turned into another one, this then continued throughout the years, until she declined a higher standing position.
Fighting and killing their enemies everywhere she went, all with a detached look on her face, while their superiors only looked upon her in pride and greed for what they had attained in their ranks.
A weapon to fight their wars.
Their very own Black Knight, as people would later refer to her as.
Even when she got out of her detached stupor from it all, all the while giving him a soft smile in response to his questioning and worried gaze for her, that she was alright.
But she wasn't, and Mal knew. But he never pressed.
Mal always felt that everytime she went away, a part of herself, slowly but surely, would break away as well.
And once again, Valeria is going to put herself in harm's way, for them.
He doesn't want her to go. He wants her to stay with them, where he can look after her as well as she had done throughout the years for them.
Mal trained hard for that reason alone, so he could protect them both as well.
It's not fair.
Seeing the stubborn, but worried look on Mal's face, but also on Alina's, made Valeria soften her gaze.
"Don't worry about me. You know I'll be fine, I always will." She softly said to them, she then saw Mal's eyes water for a bit, all the while he's shaking his head in denial.
'Oh Mal…I'm sorry.'
Coming closer to the both of them, she clasps their shoulders, "You both know what I'm capable of, please just comply with my request." she asks once more, looking into both of their saddened faces.
Alina then stared at her feet, while Mal turned his gaze elsewhere. Away from hers.
She continues, "I want you both to remain here where I can protect you under my shield. And I'll just look for a bit, see if they need any help, Merlin forbid that the damned hero complex of mine will go away." She then finally grouches at the end, making both of her friends crack a tiny smile on their faces, but then their faces turned back to neutral.
Finally huffing, she ruffles their heads at the same time, which made them both make a noise in protest. The both of them tried to smack her hands away from their heads, part in irritation, but it also made them smile at the girl in front of them.
'Ria and her antics, she'll never change.' they both thought, while looking at the girl in front of them, and begrudgingly accepting her request.
But only until they're certain that nothing will truly happen to her, that is.
They then agreed, and stayed in the protective shield Valeria put over them.
While the both of them watched Valeria go away from them, they held each other's hands in worry for the girl.
Their sister.
Fedyor does not like this, he does not like the situation he is in. At. ALL.
After their General ordered them to go after the girls that escaped in front of their eyes, which Fedyor will admit, he was in awe of! Never in his life, did he ever expect such a thing to have happened, something that was only talked about in Myths!
But no, they all saw it, a Myth in living flesh (well actually two Myths..).
While different from the descriptions they have read about…she changed into a Phoenix nonetheless.
Even though he should be angered just like the General and all the rest of the Grisha about the both of them escaping their clutches. Very seamlessly, might Fedyor add.
Fedyor isn't angered by it at all! No, he is glad to have witnessed it with his own eyes.
'So wondrous…', Valeria Cherniak, Fedyor thinks, is exceptional. And if they do find the girls, he would really like to exchange his hand in friendship to the girl.
Well to the both of them of course.
He understands why she did what she did, she did it for her friend. Even while injured, as Fedyor took notice of. She did it all for Miss Starkov, and Fedyor is in awe of her steadfast loyalty towards her friend.
Such loyalty that dared to defy their General!
Of course Fedyor would like to be her friend, and hopefully in time, one of her best friends.
If she will let him, that is.
He hopes she will.
But back to the matter at hand, when they were searching for the both of them, they encountered the Drüskelle in their way. And now Fedyor, who was hit by them, is hiding behind a rock with his dear Ivan next to him.
"Stay here, Fedyor. Do not come out of here, do you hear me?" Was his Ivan's stern, but also worried command next to his ear.
'Oh Ivan.'
Fedyor only raises an eyebrow in response to his command,which made the man grimace and almost groan at the sight of him.
He likes it when Ivan groans, well in a pleasurable way of course, but bad Fedyor, now is not the time!
Later.
"Fedyor-" Ivan said but before he could continue, they suddenly heard a crack like noise in the air, some screams, and then the noise from the fighting before, was no more.
It was eerily quiet.
Confused the both of them, then looked away from their shelter.
And what they saw made them stare in shock.
The Drüskelle that were in their vicinity, were no more.
Only their corpses layed on the ground, dead by what appears to be a painful slice wound, by a sword and by the dark colouring that is on the Drüskelle's body, they gather it was a poisoned sword.
While others had strange scorch like marks on their bodies, not like how their Inferni would burn their enemies. No, these ones were different.
And the rest of the Drüskelle were killed in other ways…
But before they could continue their examination, they were interrupted by someone, which they should have noticed before, they were heartrenders for saints sake!
"It's important to be constantly vigilant, you know. You never know what will happen when you don't take notice of your surroundings. I could've killed the both of you before you could have even lifted an arm, for Merlin's sake!"
Fedyor then screamed in fright, at the face that was suddenly next to theirs.
While Ivan was only frozen in shock.
"My poor ears, will you please stop your screaming!"
Was the voice of one of the girls they were searching for, Valeria Cherniak.
Fedyor then fell on his ass from the sudden sight of her.
Saints, why did Fedyor have to embarrass himself at their first official meeting? Fedyor thinks in embarrassment, first at the girly scream he emitted, and then him falling on his ass afterwards.
It just wasn't his day, was it?