"Bet it will be."

"Good luck."

"You too."

Talking with Val always makes her feel better.

Svetka's very busy over the next few days- more exercising, etiquette and style with Genya, combat training with the Shu trainer, Botkin. What feels like endless classes on everything from history to literature to mathematics to science. And the Small Science, of course, learning to actually call the light without leaning on the Darkling's ability as an amplifier. That's maybe the most challenging part. Figuring out how to- how to get at that power, to bring it up from the well deep inside-

Then she realizes that she doesn't have to bring it out from inside. There's light all around her. She doesn't have to hoard it. It won't leave her.

The first time she brings a burst of light of her own volition is like the dawn breaking inside of her. Everything that was cloudy is suddenly clear, she has energy, she has appetite- she feels like she could seize the world.

That evening, Elvira brings her serious face to the rooms she shares with Val.

"I hope you haven't gotten too used to the comforts of a feather bed, Corporal Oretsev."

"Not at all."

"We're getting out of here?"

"Reportedly, you are the best tracker in the service of the King's Army. The General requires those talents."

"So, getting out of here. "

"What am I after?"

"Are you familiar," Elvira says, "with the legend of Morozova's stag?"

"...Yeah."

"It's real?"

"The General says that it is, and some of our people have spotted it in the northern regions. You and I are going to go confirm the truth of this, and its exact location."

"To what end?"

"Certain animals are natural amplifiers, just as some humans are. If a Grisha kills one of these amplifiers, they can take that power for their own." Elvira raises her wrist to show the silver bangle she wears, tiger teeth carved and melded together with metal to form a bracelet. "It is an exponential increase in power. The stag, if it exists, will certainly be an amplifier unlike any other. The General intends Private Starkov to take it."

"...I'll do it, then. But that power will be Svetka's, no matter if the General changes her mind."

"Once an amplifier is attuned, the owner cannot be changed."

"Even if she changes it before the amplifier's attuned."

She nods. "Understood and agreed."

"Good we're on the same page, then."

"We leave tomorrow at dawn, if there is any last-minute business you wish to see to."

"Is Svetka coming along?"

"She will be staying her for the first part of our hunt."

"Then I want to tell her where I'm going."

"You are free to do so, of course."

"Your oh-so-needed permission is appreciated."

"You are most welcome, Valeriya."