by K. M. Shea
“I understand that knowing his price or limit would aid us,” Rakel said, “But I still believe that if we wish to use the resistance forces to their greatest capacity, I need to build ice structures to protect them.”
“It’s not possible, Princess,” General Halvor said.
“What if we were to recruit Farrin Graydim?” Rakel asked.
The room exploded in whispers and yelps.
“What?”
“Colonel Graydim?”
“We nearly killed ourselves keeping him occupied in Glowma, and Ostfold was barely any better,” Frodi said.
“Exactly.” Rakel ignored the nay-sayers. “If Farrin could be brought to our side, it would be a terrible loss for the Chosen. They depend on him to keep a large number of our magic users occupied, and none of our soldiers can face him due to his speed magic.”
“Perhaps, but it cannot be done,” General Halvor said. “He is loyal to his cause.”
“Not so loyal.” Oskar’s expression turned thoughtful as he studied Rakel. “If he were, he would not feed the princess so much information.”
Rakel offered her attendant a smile, thankful for his support.
“I think it’s a smashing idea!” Phile said.
General Halvor glared at her.
Rakel pressed her case. “You know he will be dispatched to attack me. You have it worked into the plan to have a small squad of magic users intercept and engage him. Let him come to me, and I will ask him.”
General Halvor placed a hand on the hilt of his sword. “While I must admit Oskar is correct, and Farrin Graydim doesn’t seem to see you as an enemy, I do not think it is likely he will accept your offer. Moreover, it is not wise to hinge an entire battle plan on a mere possibility.”
“Do it,” Steinar spoke, shocking everyone into silence. He didn’t seemed to notice the room’s scrutiny as he stared at General Halvor. “Change the plan so Rakel can speak to Farrin.”
The silence was thick and suffocating until Hròarr worked up the courage to ask, “You think he’ll listen to her, King Steinar?”
“He will.” Steinar’s confidence and firmness were as solid as a frozen waterfall.
General Halvor hesitated. He looked back and forth between the royal siblings and then bowed. “As you wish—though I request that we have a number of back-up plans in place.”
“Of course,” Rakel murmured.
Steinar nodded his acceptance.
“Very well. The resistance fighters will be in four separate groups,” General Halvor said, returning his attention to the model.
The meeting went late into the night, and by the time they had concluded, all but the soldiers on the night watch had retired for the evening.
“Steinar,” Rakel said when she slipped outside after her brother.
“Yes, Rakel?”
“Could you walk with me—for just a moment?” She asked. She glanced over her shoulder, checking to make sure the resistance representatives could see them.
“Certainly.” Steinar offered his arm, which Rakel took. She smiled at him when he didn’t flinch at her touch. “You wish to show the resistance that we are a united front?” he guessed as they meandered away.
“Partially, but I had a question for you.”
“Yes?”
Rakel hesitated, trying to find the right words. “Why do you believe Farrin will listen to me?”
Steinar nodded and dropped his gaze to his feet. “I interacted with Farrin on several occasions, the first of which was when he took Ostfold. The most recent interaction was when he and his forces retreated to Ostfold from Glowma. Therefore, I have seen him before he met you, as well as after.” Steinar met Rakel’s piercing blue eyes with his own. “He knows a great deal about you.”
“I am the enemy. It would be natural for him to keep information on me,” she said.
“No.” Steinar stopped when they reached the center of Tana. His gaze lingered on the ice block that held Farrin’s sword. “The knowledge he demonstrated is well beyond that of spying. He knows your heart—at least, I think he does.”
“Why do you say that?”
“When Farrin left to conquer what was left of Verglas, I was placed under the supervision of Major Peadar. Major Peadar—like all officers of the Chosen Army—possesses magic and a hatred for those without it. As neither he nor any of the Chosen particularly cared about my well-being, they decided to have me isolated.” Steinar hesitated. He scuffed his boot on the snow-covered ground and seemed unwilling to continue.
“They threw you in the dungeons?” She gripped the skirts of her dress with her free hand to keep the breeze from ruffling them.
“No…they put me in the tower where you were kept as a child.”
Rakel’s heart stopped. “There?” Her voice was little more than a squeak. “I’m so sorry. I-I tried to topple it in the invasion. I could have killed you!”
“I wasn’t kept there by the time you arrived,” Steinar said. “When Farrin returned and learned where I was, he came and personally escorted me back to the castle, putting me under guard in a spare bedroom.” Steinar’s forehead puckered as he stared at the glittering ice block. “I thought he was going to execute me, but when I said as much, he laughed. He told me he would be happy to leave me in the tower—and it would serve me right—but if he did, it would be that much easier for you to save me.” Steinar shifted his gaze to the sky. “I thought he was lying. I couldn’t conceive of the idea that you would possibly want to save me. But Farrin knew. He had no reason to lie to me—he didn’t care for me at all. Because of his words, I dared to hope.”
Steinar looked to her again. “I’m sorry, Rakel, for everything our parents did and for everything I have done. That tower…I had to endure it for a few weeks, and it nearly drove me mad. I cannot imagine how you felt spending years there.”
“I am sorry for the treatment you endured under the custody of the Chosen,” Rakel said.
Steinar snorted. “It was better than what you received from your own family. I was ashamed to learn from our enemy about you.”
Rakel tried to soften the topic with a teasing smile. “I don’t know. I resorted to books—there are very few written on you.”
“He will be yours, if you wish it.”
“Farrin?”
“Yes.”
She sighed. “I hope you are right.”
“I don’t mean he will just be your soldier,” Steinar said. “The way he spoke about you…”
“I know,” Rakel said. There were footsteps behind them. Rakel spun, ready to face—Knut and Ensign Topi on patrol. She exhaled and let her shoulders sag but remained alert. If she was a target, Steinar must be one as well. I can’t even speak to my brother without Tenebris ruining it in one way or another…
Steinar gave her a lopsided smile. “I am sorry that you bear so many burdens. You carry all of us on your shoulders.”
“It is a shared burden,” she said. “I do not carry it alone—nor would I ever be able to.”
“You are certain you do not wish to be queen?”
“I have no desire to rule or make laws. But selfishly, I want to be the Snow Queen,” Rakel said. “If you tell Phile, I will deny it all my life, but the name delights me. I want to be the monarch of winter and to protect our people with what most would think the worst weather in the continent. If I could live out my days with those I consider important—with those I love…I would consider my life a blessed one.”
“I am sorry to tell you, my sister, but if I must be King of Verglas, you will not be able to live carefree,” Steinar said. Though he smiled, his eyes were sad. “You are powerful, and even after we defeat the Chosen, there will be some who crave power and will seek to test themselves against you.”
A cold hand clenched Rakel’s heart for a moment as she thought of the mirror. He’s right, but how can I stop it?
“Additionally, I don’t believe the magic community will let you sink into obscurity. You are wildly powerful,
and you bring others hope. Don’t you wish to free magic users across the continent?”
She thought of Farrin and the pain in his eyes as he explained his past; she thought of Liv, who bravely accepted the censure of other women for her magic. “Yes.”
“So, I will be King of Verglas. You, sister of mine, will be the Snow Queen—of all the continent,” Steinar decreed.
Rakel chuckled. “As if the continent would have me.”
“They will,” Steinar predicted. “But first, if I were you, I would prepare myself for the backlash you will face from Tenebris. He will not take it kindly when you steal his best colonel.”
“True, but it will just be one of the many sins I have committed against him,” Rakel said.
“I hope Farrin joins—for your sake,” Steinar said. “You need a guard, and he would never leave you.”
“I am not Verglas’s only hope,” Rakel reminded him.
“No. But you offer the path of the least bloodshed.”
But I don’t. If word gets out about the mirror, Verglas will be bathed in blood. A feeling of hopelessness threatened to storm Rakel. Even if she could recruit Farrin and rid Verglas of the Chosen, what then? It was just a matter of time before their doom arrived in a different body, veiled with a new shade of darkness.
As if sensing her troubling thoughts, Steinar straightened and smiled. “Come. The hour is late, and we need to sleep.”
“Very well. Thank you, brother.” She squeezed his arm.
“It is my pleasure, Rakel.”
CHAPTER 9
VOWS TO VERGLAS
Phile dropped from the sky like an owl and grunted when she landed on the snowy ground. “You called it, General. The Chosen troops began marching when we pulled out of Tana. If they continue on their current course, we will meet them in the valley between the Lowland Hills.”
General Halvor adjusted his grip on the reins of his mountain pony. “Excellent work. And Snorri?”
“Following up to make sure they stay on course. He’ll make the signal—though I don’t think we’ll miss ’em.” Phile glanced at Rakel, who was crouched on the ground rubbing snow between her fingers. “What’s wrong?”
“The temperature. It’s above freezing; the snow is starting to melt,” Rakel said. “I’ll have to lower the temperature.”
“Will that overtax you?” Oskar asked.
“No.” Rakel watched the Verglas army as the wind picked up. “It will be particularly easy with the hills on either side, isolating the wind.”
Though they were called the Lowland Hills, in truth, they were cliffs—nearly sheer cliffs with a large valley stretched between them.
“Very well. We will continue on this route.” General Halvor turned his pony to the front of the army. “Move out!”
Rakel managed to scramble on top of Frigid. He snorted, but he was less skittish than the reindeer pulling the supply sleighs. Rakel patted his furry neck and muttered, “Me, too.”
In spite of all her brave words to Phile, Steinar, and the rest, she was apprehensive. What if I’ve overestimated Farrin’s feelings for me? What if he doesn’t care about Tenebris’s actions? Rakel shifted on her blanket saddle, moving side to side with Frigid’s swaying walk. What if Tenebris was not using his full strength against my counter attack during the surprise ambush, and he is much stronger than I?
“Chin up, Princess,” Oskar said.
Rakel shook her head, clearing her mind of her grim thoughts. “I apologize, what did you say?”
Oskar was in one of the sleighs instead of on a pony. Though he had to look up at her, a knowing edge glittered in his eyes. “You are doubting yourself. Don’t.”
“I think it would be natural. I promised a great deal,” Rakel said.
“Stop worrying. If any mortal can pull off this battle, it’s you,” Oskar said.
Rakel glanced at Phile—who carried Farrin’s sword, wrapped and disguised. “I hope so. If I can’t, I might ruin us all.”
Oskar’s smile was as timeless and knowing as the snow-covered mountains. “You are the Snow Queen, Rakel. Have faith, and step forward.” He gestured at the valley. Verglas troops poured in one end; the Chosen oozed from the opposite direction.
Grateful for the chance to set her musings aside, Rakel drew her shoulders back and tugged on her magic. It sensed her fear, for it doused her like an avalanche. Rakel scowled and tilted her head back, taking control of her powers. It softened under her hands, and the temperature began to fall. She closed her eyes and felt for the ice structures she had made the previous night. They were standing—though she couldn’t tell if the resistance fighters were behind them or not. At the moment, the walls were covered with caps of snow, hiding the resistance troops in darkened caves.
Rakel dismounted Frigid and started walking with Oskar to the front lines. It took several minutes to reach the magic users stationed in front.
“Archers, on my mark,” Halvor shouted as he rode past. A Verglas soldier—Knut probably—blew a haunting note on a ram’s horn.
From the Chosen side came a drumbeat that throbbed like the heartbeat of a monster. It made Rakel’s stomach churn.
Eydìs held a hand to her chest. “They have so many more soldiers.” Dismay clawed at her voice.
“Stand strong, partner.” Frodi removed his gloves and snapped his fingers, cradling tongues of fire in his palms. “We’ll get through this.”
Eydìs nodded, though the creases on her face spoke of worry. “Good luck, Princess. We’ll hold them off.” She smiled.
“Thank you. Phile, which regiment are we facing?” Rakel asked as General Halvor stopped his mount by her.
Phile joined them. “The third, Kavon’s—like Halvor predicted. I think almost all of Farrin’s magic users are present, but none of the mercenaries under him are. It’s all Kavon’s forces, and a few squads of troops Tenebris brought with himself.” She rubbed her mitten-covered hands together and gave Rakel a reproachful look. “Do you have to make it this cold? Give it a few more minutes, and I won’t be able to feel my nose.”
Rakel eased off on her powers. “Sorry.”
“Everyone is in position,” General Halvor said. “We are ready.”
“Do we let them strike first?” Oskar asked.
“No. I want to use our archers as our first attack, but we will make them come to us,” Halvor said. “Princess?”
Rakel scanned the troops. “You are certain Steinar will remain in back?” She had argued strenuously against his presence, but Steinar had been insistent.
“Yes,” General Halvor said.
“I still can’t believe you let the king out here,” Phile said.
Halvor sourly frowned at Rakel. “He gave his word to stay out of combat—which is more than could be said for other royals of the same family.”
“This is a risk we have to take, Halvor. If I can get Farrin…”
“I know,” General Halvor said.
Oskar pointed to the sky. “I believe they’re readying their assault.” Swollen thunderclouds formed overhead. In spite of the cold temperatures, lighting flashed and crackled.
Rakel scowled. “He’s finally learning. He used the warm temperatures and my artificial cold front to create a storm-head.”
“Princess,” Halvor started.
“Done,” Rakel said. There was a large boom overhead as Rakel tapped her powers, this time using them to clear out all warm air. The temperature dropped again, making Phile shiver.
“Darn that boy!” she sniffed.
“Incoming,” Topi called.
“Archers, on my mark!” General Halvor shouted, wheeling his pony around.
The Chosen mercenaries charged across the valley with a roar, their weapons raised.
“Now!” Halvor shouted.
Verglas archers fired, taking down rows of enemy troops. But the Chosen far outnumbered them, and more soldiers poured on the field to make up for the loss.
Verglas archers nocked another round of ar
rows, and the front-line troops—all bearing shields improved by Tollak, who charmed them to be lightweight and nearly impossible to dent, much less destroy—raised their shields and prepared for the onslaught.
“Magic users, now!” Halvor shouted.
Frodi flicked his hands, and the rope Eydìs had laid up and down the lengths of the field erupted into flames. Frodi yelped, surprised at the ferocity with which they caught fire. Blue colored flames leaped up like a flickering wall, scorching the Chosen soldiers near it.
Eydìs rubbed her hands with glee. “That worked better than I expected.”
Frodi stared at the wall of fire, aghast. “What did you do?”
“I soaked the rope in barrels of alcohol.”
“Well done,” Halvor said.
“Yeah, it doesn’t last too long, though,” Frodi said. The blue colored flames consumed the alcohol in the ropes and sputtered out.
Halvor unsheathed his sword. “Infantry, stand firm!”
The two forces collided in a cacophony of sound. Some soldiers shouted; others screamed. But the Verglas lines held, and the shields kept them safe until they pushed through with their own attack.
Knut blew another note on the horn, signaling the arrival of the Chosen magic users. There were more than they had ever faced previously—at least forty of them—but one of them was struck down by Genovefa before they drew close enough to attack.
“Excuse us,” Eydìs said.
Frodi saluted Rakel. “Princess.” He chased after his partner, who almost hit him in the face with a pack of dried food.
“Eat up. We’re going to have some fun.” She laughed.
Farther up the line, Rakel heard curses of irritation as Tollak slapped unbreakable restraints on every Chosen magic user he could find. A Verglas soldier built like a massive blacksmith guarded his back, throwing attackers away like they were wee kittens.
Many of the magic users poured around them and fell on the magic-less Verglas troops, wreaking havoc.
“We’re going to be heavily outnumbered in magical strength.” Rakel gathered up more and more of her powers.
Phile offered her a smile. “Only for a few minutes. Have faith in him, Little Wolf. He picked you, after all.” Phile abandoned her mittens and thick jacket, leaped onto her horse, and cantered away. “Don’t worry, Oskar. This time I’ll steal a horse for you, too!” she called over her shoulder. With a whoop, she plowed into a Chosen magic user who was harassing Verglas troops.