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“A SCHOOL?” I asked. Genya nodded. “When a Grisha’s talent is discovered, the child is brought here for training. It’s where nearly all of us LEARNED THE SMALL SCIENCE.” ... “What happens WHEN THEY FINISH?” “THEY BECOME MEMBERS OF THE SECOND ARMY. Many are sent to the great houses to serve with noble families, or they’re sent to serve with the First Army on the northern or southern front, or near the Fold. The best are chosen to remain at the Little Palace, to finish their education and join the Darkling’s service.”

Shadow and Bone- Chapter 8

Not a single Grisha remained at the encampment [at Kribirsk]. After the Darkling’s attempted coup and the destruction of Novokribirsk, A WAVE OF ANTI-GRISHA SENTIMENTS HAD SWEPT THROUGH RAVKA and the ranks of the First Army. I wasn’t surprised. An entire town was gone, its people food for monsters. Ravka wouldn’t soon forget. NEITHER COULD I.

Siege and Storm- Chapter 10

Fedyor had been serving near Sikursk on the southeastern border. When word of the destruction of Novokribirsk reached the outpost, THE KING'S SOLDIERS HAD TURNED ON THE GRISHA, pulling them from their beds in the middle of the night and MOUNTING SHAM TRIALS to determine their loyalty. Fedyor had helped to lead an escape. ... There had been massacres at Chernast and Ulensk when the soldiers there had tried to ATTACK MEMBERS OF THE SECOND ARMY.

S&S Ch 12

Bigots: *jump at the first opportunity to slaughter the witches* The Heroine™: Goooood!

Also note how it's "King's soldiers" vs. "Grisha", when the later are LITERALLY THE KING'S PROPERTY. OTHERING too much?!

Sorry for getting sidetracked. Now. Back to the children:

The only reason Alina had anything to do with them, is that they remained in Little Palace after the failed coup, and the bigots didn't get to outright murdering kids YET. Surprisingly, Alina realized leaving them in the capital with the upcoming siege might be a bit unreasonable, so she sent them "to safety". Why the quotation marks, you ask?

Well, it's rather simple, really. Alina's choice of A HIDEAWAY is about as inconspicuous as placing an advertisement in a newspaper, and ordering a giant bilboard on every single access road. Keramzin is literally the most-known place she's connected to, and THE ONLY PLACE SHE CARES ABOUT.

IF THE DARKLING WANTED TO GET THE GRISHENKA, HE COULD'VE DONE IT ANY TIME.

He only bothered to involve them, when he needed to draw Alina out, and playing on HER PREJUDICE by threatening children- one of a few things she "cares" about in an ABSTRACT, GENERAL way any member of society should do.

By the end of the first book, Alina proved she doesn't really care about anonymous masses. She herself slaughtered around sixty people to escape with her beloved. (S&B Ch 22) At the end of the second book, the Darkling offered her the lives of her followers for cooperation. She proceeded to try to kill him, which I guess could count as "No.". (S&S Ch 23)The beginning of the last book has the Darkling literally offering her the Throne, which she outright refuses out of some perceived sense of danger due to his alleged inherent deceitfulness. (R&R Ch 3) The very same one we never witnessed, but never mind that.

All in all, Alina made abundantly clear she doesn't intend to negotiate, least of all entertain any of the Darkling's notions about partnership, so she has to be brought to heel by force.

As stated above, threatening just anyone won't work, the only thing Alina seems to be consistently attached to is her shitty orphanage past, most of all Malyen, but that one isn't available, so the place itself will have to do. A nice demonstration of "force", although one could argue it didn't require much of that. A clever trick to draw the enemy out, when they refuse to show themselves. *slow clap, although the strategy is rather primitive*

Yes, I DO prefer death PREVENTION to fatality jerk off, and barely a dozen lives in exchange for THE END OF CIVIL WAR is a pretty sweet deal.

As for the losses:

Am I supposed to pretend Alina cares about any of the teachers? Aside from Botkin, she DIDN'T EVEN KNOW THEIR NAMES! The only reason it got to her at all is that the Darkling also offed that old cunt who BRAINWASHED AND ABUSED Alina throughout her childhood. I ain't gonna cry for that one, the hag is almost as bad as Baghra, the scale she was allowed to work on just happens to be smaller. There's NOT A SINGLE good memory of her Alina would recount in THREE books we get to live in her head.

With his father’s permission, Nikolai had installed HEAVY GUNS like those on the Hummingbird ABOVE THE CITY AND PALACE WALLS. Despite Grisha grumbling, I’d had several placed on the roof of the Little Palace. ... While the Darkling’s shadow horde was focused on the Little Palace, he would be vulnerable. Small, heavily armed units of Grisha and soldiers would be stationed at two-mile intervals around the capital. Once the fighting began, they would close on the Darkling and UNLEASH ALL THE FIREPOWER that Nikolai could muster.

Siege and Storm- Chapter 17

Are you really gonna pretend a MACHINE GUN will only hit ONE man, not anyone from his forces, or any bystanders? There's ZERO talk about evacuation of Os Alta! There are not just its usual inhabitants, but also a whole fucking tent city of Alina's worshipers under the city walls! The very same one she visits to attempt a suicide?!

A city of tents had sprung up around the walls, and a long line of people waited at the gates. ... “They’re not allowed within the city walls,” said Tamar.

S&S Ch 12

If you rake approaching Darkling with gunfire, these people won't be protected even by those stacked up stones, unlike the capital's inhabitants, who'll only have to worry about not hiding well enough in order NOT to get hit by a "stray" bullet. Same goes for the Darkling's Grisha, who were actively participating in the battle.

Mal and I burst from the palace and careened down the marble steps. A screech of twisting metal rent the air. I looked down the white gravel path in time to see the golden gates of the Grand Palace blown off their hinges by a wall of Etherealki wind. THE DARKLING'S GRISHA STREAMED ONTO THE GROUNDS in their brightly colored kefta.

S&S Chapter 22

And those would drastically outnumber Alina's "maybe fifty":

HUNDREDS of Grisha were stationed throughout Ravka, and [the Darkling] was responsible for all of them.

Shadow and Bone- Chapter 12

I made a silent count—forty Grisha, maybe FIFTY, most of them barely out of school. Some army, I thought with a sigh. My glorious reign was off to a miserable start.

S&S Ch 15

Like Nikolai, Fedyor believed some Grisha had gone into hiding, waiting for order to be restored. But he suspected that MOST OF THEM had sought out the Darkling.

S&S Ch 12

Except:

a.) The Tether between the Darkling and Alina doesn't work, unless they're thinking ABOUT EACH OTHER. Yes, HE claims that, but its every single manifestation supports it, so Alina HAD TO be thinking about him, when "seeing" Malyen.

b.) If he wanted to pretend to be Malyen, you'd think the skilled manipulator we're supposed to see would change HIS BEHAVIOUR, but no. He goes after her neck, just like HE always does. Malyen on the other hand likely never even heard about erogenous zones that aren't boobs or genitals.

c.) If he truly wanted to f.ck her, he had bazillion other chances, yet he doesn't continue even in this one. Why, I wonder?

d.) Hint- she moaned Malyen's name, and Darkles isn't exactly secretive about his disdain for that creature. He's a prideful man, he wants Alina to ADMIT she wants him (Which we DO know from her POV to be true.), to scream HIS name, not her manly appendage's.

e.) Alina DOES have power over their Bond, she "sees" him without his scars, when he's pretty obviously rather proud of them, therefore wouldn't choose such look.

f.) One of Alina's greatest issues is the conflict between what she knows she's SUPPOSED TO want- the "nice guy" from her past, who claimed to want to marry her properly, when they were like ten- and what her naughty lady parts point at- the soulless, unnatural monster all "normal" people hate.

g.) Alina just had a nasty fight with Malyen, when he throwed a pity party for himself instead of trying to support his "oldest friend", when she's way over her head with her responsibilities. Alina spent last few chapters describing her loneliness- the one thing she admits to have in common with the Darkling-, so yeah, she seeks support where she knows she WILL get it, because it's also been established the Darkling DOES keep her company for hours at time.

h.) Even if she couldn't naturally control what she sees (Which is not the case, but nvm.)- she's half asleep. The space between sleep and waking is one of the most malleable states of mind. It's not difficult to alter your visions even irl. Alina outright admits she'd forgive Malyen ANYTHING if he comes back to her (Pathetic, really. Have some self-respect, girl!). Of course SHE tries to MAKE IT SO. Am I guessing right you didn't mention any of this to your detective friend?

_____

To your second citation:

Now we're entering the realm of FANTASY. Something that CANNOT HAPPEN IN REAL LIFE. Real people don't have metaphysical bond that allows them to visit another person in spirit or FEEL THEIR EMOTIONS.

By reading fantastic literature, you sign up to the possibility you might need to ADJUST your views and expectations. That relatively black and white situations might turn out blurrier than you might be comfortable with. This is one of those cases. Exactly four racy sentences after your quote, the text follows:

I felt that rush of HUNGER, the steady, longing beat of DESIRE that NEITHER of us wanted, but that GRIPPED US ANYWAY. We were alone in the world, unique. We were bound together and always would be.

Ruin and Rising- Chapter 9

Up until this point, Alina were more or less receptive, the Darkling chose to be VULNERABLE around her, to give her something personal nobody else has. It's no surprise he seeks out physical closeness. He CAN FEEL Alina DOES want him, no matter how much her puritan upbringing likes to revolt against that, so he tries to persuade her by action.

He's used to treat his own body as a currency, and Alina likes to reassure herself he's incapable of human emotion, so acting on sexual attraction is more logical choice for the BOTH of them, than for example a hug.

If you want to call this sexual assault, you're merely proving you're not taking the purely FICTIONAL aspects into consideration. A bit hypocritical, when you like to pretend to participate in literary analysis.

And when we're at the topic, what about the disturbing OBJECTIFICATION of the Darkling? Genya gawking at his naked chest right after he leaves traditional sauna (The Tailor), Zoya treating him like an exhibitionist while having him TORTURED (RoW Ch 9), Alina's descriptions focusing on his hair and pretty, pretty face, LAUGHING at the notion he were likely assaulted by noblewomen (S&S Ch 16)... In this very chapter, we get the focus on "HIS MUSSED HAIR, THE SHADOWED RIDGES OF HIS BARE CHEST", as he's TREATED FOR A WOUND deep enough to require a Healer! The guy's bleeding, but nvm that! THE BODY!!! 🤌🥵

Genya was under the Queen's protection, she was a part of HER household, safe until the hag grew resentful, and decided to demote her from a doll to piece of furniture. Even Nikolai acknowledges who was responsible for Genya's safety:

“She was under YOUR protection, Mother.” “She is a servant!” “And you are a queen. Your subjects are your children. All of them.”

Ruin and Rising- Chapter 7

I went to the Darkling. I don’t know WHERE I FOUND THE AUDICITY. Even as I ran across the palace grounds, a voice in my head was cursing me for a fool, clamoring that I would never be granted audience, that I should turn back around and forget this madness.

The Tailor

As we can see, Genya went to the Darkling DESPITE his lack of authority over her position. She wasn't in contact with him prior to seeking help there.

“The Darkling should have done something,” I said. “He should have protected you.” “He has, Alina. More than you know. Besides, he’s AS MUCH A SLAVE TO THE WHIMS OF THE KING as the rest of us. At least for now.”

Shadow and Bone- Chapter 14

“You cannot sell her off now! She’s Grisha. It’s against the law. SHE IS THE PROPERTY OF THE KING and will go to school to train.”

King of Scars- Chapter 25

The Darkling AND "his" Grisha belong to the Crown, his job is to manage them, assign them. He chose to allow Genya to develop her- back then, before someone retconned the hell out of this- unique skill, but that created other issues.

“When Genya’s abilities began to show themselves, I could have had her choose between becoming a Fabrikator or a Corporalnik. Instead, I CULTIVATED HER PARTICULAR AFFINITY and made a gift of her to the Queen.”

S&B Chapter 7

How awful, right? Being "a gift" to the Royal household?!

Not really.

We've already established Grisha belong to the Crown anyway. The Queen as well could've REQUESTED the Tailor's services. The thing is- Lantsovs aren't exactly fans of Grisha, the King himself calls them witches (R&R Ch 7). It's a delicate situation- were Genya too old, she would've been suspected of being the Darkling's spy. Hell, Tatiana's jealousy of more attractive WOMEN considered, she'd be seen as a seductress sent to become the King's mistress- a TRUE position of power, one usually REQUIRING the woman to bed the King. A child though?

It’s as if I were still the girl she treasured, the doll she LOVED TO DRESS UP AND SHOW OFF TO HER FRIENDS.

The Tailor

This Grisha-averse leadership would never allow Genya to model spies' faces. Saints know who else is fake, who else is a Grisha imposter?! Genya's place to practice her craft had to be something harmless, therefore she became a glorified beautician, assigned to the most powerful and vain person in the country- the Queen. Which brings us back to "Were the Queen to learn about Genya, she might've requested her services.", but having to ASK, Saints-forbid having the girl transferred from elsewhere, would create resentment to begin with. A bit of sycophancy, a neat little bow on what's the Crown's anyway, gave the girl a head start. It allowed her to be viewed as a harmless doll.

Tatiana being a resentful cunt, who'd happily mock a girl she WATCHED GROW UP for something awful she herself also orchestrated... that's something so comically "evil", a normal person wouldn't expect it. Not without prior situation like that.

So no, the Darkling had no power over THE KING'S ACTIONS. I don't know why this fandom insists on putting blame on anyone but the ACTUAL perpetrators and/or acting as if the Royal couple were a pair of marionettes instead of two fully legally competent people, wielding the reins of the whole country.

(No, wait, I DO know, but the answer is rather unflattering to those fans' intelligence.)

Once "the deed" was done?

What can a serf do, when mistreated by an owner with ABSOLUTE power over the whole country? So many words, and even after removing some of them, the answer is still- legally NOTHING. Yet the Darkling risked displeasing the monarchs by taking away their favourite toy, offering Genya a way out, GIVING HER BACK SOME SORT OF AGENCY in her own life. All of the protection Grisha "enjoy" in Ravka, jeopardized for a single girl. Yet Genya CHOSE revenge instead. Valid decision, unless you'd rather see OTHER people direct her life?!

“I can promise you SAFETY,” he said. “OR I can promise TO SEE YOUR SUFFERING REPAID a thousandfold.” With the pad of his thumb, he brushed a stray tear from beneath my eye. “YOU DECIDE, GENYA.”

The Tailor

A private promise to a single girl, and the Darkling DELIVERED. He overthrew the King, HE allowed Genya to poison her rapist. He would've served her justice, but got murdered by a girl supporting the guy, who sent Genya's abusers to a tropical resort with free access to more young women to abuse, while having the Tailor stand trial for her "treason". For which she's "eternally grateful", kissing the new Tsar's ass so thoroughly, her face is likely brown all over.

My last question regarding this particular topic is- WHAT EXACTLY DID THE DARKLING "GAIN" by Genya's rape, because the narrative claims she were crucial, yet doesn't offer anything specific? Are we to believe the late King made a habit of moaning strategic information during intercourse? Were the diamonds he threw on his mattresses stolen from foreign dignitaries? He's said to be visiting the girl IN HER ROOMS, so she couldn't snoop around as he slept, so WHAT exactly did she learn, and WHEN?! Did the Darkling earn some sort of special privileges for "procuring" a maid to the Queen? Sorry, a hole for the Tsar's dick? No? Or do you have passages specifying the alleged gain?!

“There are just the two THIS YEAR, then?” said a woman’s low voice. ... “A boy and a girl, the youngest here by quite a bit. Both around EIGHT, we think.” --- When we’d first started our military service A YEAR ago, Mal had visited me almost every night. --- We’d spent MORE THAN TEN years of our lives in Keramzin ...

Shadow and Bone- Before & Chapter 1

Even if we allow that Alina might've arrived shortly after the examinations year prior, we're still left with 8+1+10=19.

I don't care what later retcons state, you cannot establish the basics in the first chapters, and then claim something else without meaningfully addressing the change.

In the prologue, it's also implied Alina ARRIVED ALREADY WASTING. Since that condition influences her appetite, and developing children are easily susceptible to malnutrition, it's very much probable she LOOKED YOUNGER than she truly was. Impossible to verify, when she doesn't remember her own age, twice as old as average child, who does.

“She’s an ugly little thing. No child should look like that. Pale and sour, like a glass of milk that’s turned.” “And so skinny!” the cook replied. “Never finishes her supper.” Crouched beside the girl, the boy turned to her and whispered, “Why don’t you eat?” “Because everything she cooks TASTES LIKE MUD.” “TASTES FINE TO ME.”

S&B Before

Another layer you're conveniently ignoring is that she isn't 21st century US-American teenager or whatever you believe to be the universal standard. Ravkans are considered adult by the age of FIFTEEN, when they're drafted. If you're old enough to die as a soldier, you're old enough for some light petting with a guy you're horny for. It's not so different from our world, where plenty of countries- including Western ones- deem people a few years under eighteen fully capable to consent. Just visit wiki page for "Age of consent by country". It's interesting reading.

Last but not least- what sex are we talking about? Does kissing now count as such? A hand on a thigh? That's longingly gazing at the third base if we're being generous. VERY generous.

His hand slid down to my hip. I felt a little trill of panic as my skirt slid higher and his fingers closed on my bare thigh, but instead of pulling away, I PUSHED CLOSER TO HIM. I don’t know what MIGHT HAVE happened next...