Chernov frowned. “You sound different. You look different.”
Aleksander knew better than to try to make excuses. Instead he grabbed Chernov’s arm and met his gaze. “I am different, Chernov. How many are gathered here?”
“At last count, we had thirty-two of the faithful. But we’re feeding a few travelers who have not yet found the Starless path.”
“We are?” Valuable resources squandered.
“We are,” said Chernov. “Just as you preached. All are equal in the dark.”
He had to stop himself from laughing. Instead he nodded and repeated the words with fervor. “All are equal in the dark.”
Chernov led him through camp, and Aleksander greeted those who seemed to recognize him as an old friend. If they only knew. As they walked, he inquired casually about the other places the Cult of the Starless Saint had taken hold. By Chernov’s count, the cult’s following had swelled to nearly one thousand pilgrims. A meager number, but it was a start.
“We’ve decided to head south to warmer climes, get away from the northern border. We don’t want to get caught in the crossfire when the fighting breaks out.”
“And then?”
Chernov smiled. “And then we continue the good work of spreading the Darkling’s name and championing his Sainthood. Once King Nikolai is deposed, Vadik Demidov will be crowned and we will petition—”
“Demidov will be a Fjerdan puppet.”
“What do we care for politics of that kind?”
“You’ll care when they stack Grisha on the pyre.”
“Grisha?”
Aleksander had to work to hide his anger. “Was not the Darkling a Grisha?”
“He was a Saint. There is a difference. What has come over you, Yuri?”
Aleksander smiled, regrouping. “Forgive me. I only meant that we may still find new followers among the Grisha.”
Chernov clapped him on the back. “A worthy goal once the war is over.”
He contemplated tearing Chernov’s arm from its socket. Instead he shifted his approach. “But what of the Apparat? The priest will return to Ravka with Demidov, will he not? He’s fought the Darkling’s Sainthood at every turn.”
“We believe we can win him to our cause in time.”
This is all wrong. On that, Yuri and Aleksander could agree. Yuri had been a member of the Apparat’s Priestguard for a time. He’d watched the Apparat side first with the Sun Saint and then with no one at all, waiting for Alina and the Darkling to wage their battles as he and his followers stayed safely underground. The Starless shouldn’t be content to plead for scraps from the priest’s hand, no matter what sway he held with Ravka’s people.
“The sun will be setting soon,” Chernov said as the Starless gathered, facing to the west. “You’re just in time for services. Brother Azarov will be speaking.”
“No,” said Aleksander. “I will speak.”
Chernov blinked. “I … well … Perhaps it would be best to take some time to settle in, to reacquaint yourself with—”
Aleksander didn’t wait to hear the rest. He strode to the front of the congregation and heard a few murmurs of “Yuri!” and “Brother Vedenen!” from those who had not yet seen him in the camp. Others were strangers, people who had joined the Starless after Yuri had left their ranks.
“Brother Azarov,” Aleksander said, approaching the young man with yellow hair who was preparing to speak. He had the pallor and charisma of a glass of milk.
“Brother Vedenen! I’m so pleased to see you again. Your preaching was sorely missed, but I’ve been trying my hand at it.”
“Chernov has an urgent matter he wants you to attend to.”
“He does?”
“Indeed. Extremely urgent. Go on now.” He strode past Brother Azarov and took his place where he belonged, in front of the crowd.
Aleksander looked out over their faces, confused but eager, waiting for someone to give them something to believe in, a spark of the divine. I will give you a conflagration. I will give you a new name for fire.
Yuri’s joy coursed through him. The boy had been a preacher himself. He understood this exultation.
“Some of you know me,” he said, his voice carrying over the crowd as the light from the setting sun turned golden and washed over their faces. He heard them react to his unfamiliar voice with whispers and gasps. “I am not the man I was. I traveled to the Fold, and there I was visited by the Starless One himself.”