New Title 1

by K. M. Shea

  “I kept you isolated.”

  “No. I did that,” Rakel said with conviction. “You were always pleasant—I thought you were ill in the head because you weren’t afraid of me. I could have reached out to you, but I was too wrapped up in my misery.”

  “You were a child, Princess.”

  “And you were scarcely an adult,” Rakel challenged. “Choosing to serve me and move to Ensom, what, besides an enviable position, did you leave behind? Family? Friends?”

  Oskar looked away, confirming Rakel’s suspicions. Yes, he had to leave things that were precious. Feeling emboldened, Rakel placed her hand on Oskar’s arm. “I see it now, Oskar. Not just on Ensom, but in this invasion. You have always thought first of me and my concerns. Thank you. From the bottom of my heart, I thank you. But you mustn’t live with all this regret. Things are different now. I am happy; it is time you think of your own happiness as well.”

  Oskar stared at Rakel.

  Rakel swallowed and gazed into his familiar face. She had always longed for family, but she had never known how close it was. Oskar was her father and brother rolled into one. He sought to protect her when the rest of the country threw her away. “Thank you,” she repeated. “Your actions saved me—and have saved our country.”

  On an impulse, she hugged him.

  Oskar’s shoulders shook for a brief moment, then he returned the embrace. “You are too good for us, Princess.”

  “If I am, it is because you taught me to be so.” Rakel pulled back so she could smile at the attendant.

  Oskar returned the smile, then glanced beyond her to the fire. “You might wish to go assure your particularly dangerous beau that this is not what he thinks.”

  “My what?” Rakel turned and saw Farrin—still standing by the campfire but turned in their direction. Rakel sighed in aggravation.

  “For what it counts, I approve of him.”

  Rakel spun around and gaped at her attendant, horrified. “Why?”

  “Because he’ll keep you safe.”

  “He says he has shed innocent blood.”

  “Yes,” Oskar acknowledged. “I imagine he’ll have to forgive himself for that. But he would never hurt you. Even when you fought him, he took a surprising amount of care to see that you remained uninjured. That being said, if you wished to remain single for life, I would gladly support you.”

  Rakel cracked a smile. “Thank you, my attendant. I do need to speak to him—and Steinar, it would seem.”

  Oskar smiled. “Enjoy the celebration, Princess.”

  “Thank you, but…Oskar?”

  “Yes?”

  Rakel frowned at the slushy ground, then gathered enough courage to meet his eyes. “Could you teach me a Verglas lullaby?”

  Oskar smiled. “It would be my honor, Princess.” He reached out and placed a warm hand on the crown of her head.

  “Thank you.” She said.

  Oskar nodded, bowed, and made his exit.

  Rakel made for Farrin’s tall shape in the shadows of the fire. A nagging moment of warmth tickled at her memories, and for one brief moment she could recall—as a small child—a young Oskar kneeling in front of her, smiling and ruffling her snow-white hair.

  Life is so much better now…but I must always remember the kindness of those who first reached out for me. General Halvor was taking notes on a few pieces of parchment while Knut relayed a funny story to Steinar. Hilda had come for Gerta and Kai, so Phile was free—performing a daring dance on top of a stool that involved a lot of hopping and rocking. She wore a huge smile, and her eyes were lit with delight.

  Finally, there was Farrin. He was a tall, lean shadow that lurked behind the laughing, singing, and clapping soldiers and villagers. When she joined him, he didn’t say anything, but his head tilted, and there was a painful sort of questioning look set in his eyes and the wrinkle of his forehead.

  Aware of his gaze, Rakel recalled Oskar’s advice to reassure him. What do I say? I cannot blurt out that I see Oskar as my family. Rakel pressed her lips together. “I am blessed to have Oskar’s loyalty.”

  “Are you,” Farrin asked in a flat tone.

  It seems that was the wrong thing to say. In fact, I think I have made it worse. Rakel darkly eyed the Robber Maiden as she leaped from one stool to the other. What I wouldn’t give to have Phile’s knack for communication. “Yes. I realize now that I’ve never been as alone as I thought I was.”

  Farrin’s stance grew stiff. “I see.”

  And that apparently was not the right thing to say either. Blast—what do you want me to say? “So sorry I just had a touching moment with Oskar, but it’s because I now know he has cared for me as my father should have?” Rakel almost slapped her hand over her mouth when she realized she had snarled the words out loud.

  “He’s like a father to you?” Farrin’s voice was so warm with affection she could almost feel her face heating.

  “Yes, or a brother,” she muttered, embarrassed and angry to be so.

  “I’m glad.” Farrin shifted close enough so their arms brushed. “You deserve that sort of support.”

  Relieved at his response, Rakel exhaled deeply. She found it oddly difficult to swallow when Farrin caressed the back of her hand with his fingers.

  “Is everything alright?” His voice was barely above a whisper.

  “Yes.” Rakel smiled. “Everything is perfect.”

  Farrin crouched uncomfortably in the shadows—tensed in an awkward position, but he dared not shift until the soldier five paces away moved along.

  “Wow.” Phile leaned past him to peer through the gaps in the foliage of the evergreen tree in which they hid. “You like to get real close when spying.”

  “You frequently move in even closer.” Farrin shifted so the tree’s needles no longer scratched his face.

  “Oh, I haven’t the grace and the wondrous abilities to pull that off,” Phile said.

  “You left carving marks with Foedus in my best desk the last time you went through my tent,” Farrin said.

  “Well, there was that one time,” she acknowledged.

  Snorri—the other scout Halvor had instructed him to take—turned to stare at her.

  “What? Farrin had confused Little Wolf by telling her she would have to pound him.” Phile said.

  “I don’t believe I used the term ‘pound,’” Farrin said. He watched Tenebris’s tent, deep in thought. I wasn’t aware of Snorri’s existence and shadowy magic until I witnessed it myself. Could he sneak closer while using his power? “Snorri, can you get just outside the tent?”

  Snorri mumbled something, saluted him, and then melted into the shadows.

  “Where is Bunny?” Phile asked.

  Farrin pointed to the crow sitting on the bare tree branch that stretched over Tenebris’s tent.

  “You don’t think they’ll guess?” Phile asked.

  “No one—superior or underling—was informed of Bunny’s crow form, except for me.”

  “Saving it just in case, eh? I wonder who is more paranoid, you or Rakel.”

  “It was not a move of paranoia but of respect. Bunny has several shapes she can change into—including a few she has not told me of. It is for her safety,” Farrin said.

  “I suppose that’s fair. Which reminds me, we need to have a chat.” Phile flipped out her ugly dagger and was somehow able to toss it back and forth between her hands in spite of all the branches webbed around her.

  Rakel said Phile never told the same story twice about how she got the weapon, but Farrin was certain it was magical. I can’t fully deflect it. She’s nicked me more times this season than I’ve been hit by any one person for years. “You wish to hold a conversation in the middle of a scouting mission, while we are sitting in a tree near the heart of the enemy camp?”

  “Yeah,” Phile said. “I find adrenaline and the fear of getting caught often produce more honest answers.”

  Farrin exhaled in exasperation. “What do you want?”

  “This is
very important, do you understand? This is a question you must stake your life and code of honor on. I very much doubt you will ever face such an important conversation again in your lifetime.”

  The Robber Maiden likely would have gone on, but Farrin removed his gaze from Tenebris’s tent long enough to give her a flat look.

  “Okay, fine.” She leaned close. “This is it: Phile is both a girl’s name and a boy’s name, so it will be the perfect name for your first child.”

  “What.”

  “The first brat Rakel gives birth to. You really ought to name it Phile.”

  Farrin stared at her. She uses the exterior of a blissful imbecile to lure others into whatever trap her wicked mind comes up with. No wonder she and Rakel are friends—they are both fiendishly clever.

  Farrin went back to scrutinizing the tent, nursing a pinprick of resentment that Phile would attempt to use his feelings for Rakel as leverage.

  “I’m being serious,” Phile said.

  “You do not often say something without hidden depths and calculations. What is it you are after?” Farrin asked.

  “Eck. Aren’t you a saddlebag of fun? What I’m telling you, Farrin Graydim, is that you shouldn’t give up hope with Rakel, but you need to be crazy careful with the way you approach her. If you get too intense, she is going to leave you faster than a king loses money.”

  “Tell me, how does King Steinar feel about your poor attitude towards his station?”

  “I can’t help it. I was raised from a babe to distrust people who decree they’re better than anyone else—which actually excludes Steinar, as he has quite the low opinion of himself,” she said. “But we’re not talking about Rakel’s kid brother. We’re talking about Rakel. And you.”

  “Yes? Is this where you intend to threaten me to take care of her and promise not to hurt her?”

  “No, there’s no need for that. I’ve liked you from the start—and even if I didn’t, standing outside her room for a week solid without moving was a pretty good indicator you will keep her from encountering any harm. I just want to make sure you know that it is okay for you to pursue her,” Phile said.

  Farrin tilted his head and listened. “Thank you for your blessing?” he said, only half paying attention to the conversation.

  Phile opened her mouth to say more, but Farrin silenced her, raising a finger to his lips.

  Tenebris stormed from his tent, his face twisted with dark rage. A uniformed soldier followed him, cringing as Tenebris fixed his face so it no longer resembled the visage of a monster.

  “The Second Regiment has disbanded?” he demanded.

  The soldier nodded and leaned back—away from his leader. “The report from Colonel Grimick stated that the officers will arrive in several days, but all the mercenaries left.”

  Tenebris clasped his hands together and squeezed them until they shook.

  He isn’t just angry—he’s enraged. He never displays actual signs of fury.

  Bunny—in her crow body—dropped from the trees and pecked at the dirt. She ruffled her feathers, but neither men took any notice of her as she hopped around until she found cover behind a pile of equipment. Hidden, she wriggled under the canvas side of Tenebris’s tent and disappeared.

  Careful, Bunny, Farrin thought. If he finds you in there, he will know you are not a mindless animal.

  Farrin shifted his gaze to the shadows, but none of them seemed to harbor Snorri.

  “There is good news, though,” Tenebris’s lackey said. “According to the message, a southern village was wiped out. Colonel Grimick believes the resistance sustained major losses.”

  Tenebris nodded. “Good.” His charm and smile were back in place. “That is more of what I wish to hear. Make it so.”

  The soldier squirmed. “Which colonel do I tell this?”

  “To whom would you normally report?”

  The soldier dropped his gaze, and Farrin knew the man was thinking of him.

  “Ah, yes. Colonel Graydim did a fairly large amount of structural damage when he turned traitor. I guess it goes to show that it doesn’t do any good to be humane to your guard dogs.”

  Farrin winced. He thought Tenebris had been kinder when he first met him, and perhaps had turned less and less merciful with the passage of time, but he had to wonder… Did he ever care for any of us?

  “Inform Kavon. It is time he took some of his mercenaries raiding again. Scouts found that Tana and a number of the other villages have been receiving supply caravans. Destroy them,” Tenebris said.

  “Tana, or the caravans?”

  Tenebris gave the soldier a toothy smile. “The caravans, of course.”

  The soldier scribbled down Tenebris’s words and saluted him. “Sir.”

  Tenebris adjusted his helm and watched the soldier go. When he was left alone, he took off the helm, smoothed his hair into place, and then repositioned it.

  For a split second, Farrin thought he saw an oozing scab of crusted blood on Tenebris’s head, but he put the helm back on too quickly for Farrin to be sure.

  Tenebris turned on his heels and stalked towards the medical tent. “Sunnira,” he called. “I received word from Grimick…” his words trailed off as he left the area.

  “Timing,” Phile whispered. “Is everything.”

  “The slaughter of the southern village does not bode well,” Farrin said.

  “No, it doesn’t,” she agreed. “But we can hope the losses weren’t as bad as they claim.”

  It’s possible, though not likely. His heart heavy, Farrin mimicked the whistle of a song bird.

  Bunny hopped outside of the tent, pecked at the dirt again, and then flew off, taking to the sky. Snorri was nowhere to be seen.

  “Sir, I have their numbers,” Snorri said.

  Years of experience in the battlefield was all that kept Farrin from startling as he turned around to find Snorri nestled with him in the prickly branches.

  “Well done, Snorri,” Phile praised. “Now let’s get out of here.” She slipped from the tree, as quiet and sure-footed as a cat.

  Farrin—and Snorri—followed her, though Farrin gave Tenebris’s tent one more inspection. What will it take to force him out of Verglas? Killing him might be the easiest way, but I suspect Kavon and Grimick would not give up on the mirror even with Tenebris gone.

  Farrin stifled the desire to massage his forehead and slipped through the shadows, refocusing himself on his task.

  He needed to get out of the Chosen’s camp, first. Then he would see what General Halvor, King Steinar, and Rakel had to say.

  CHAPTER 12

  THE BEAUTY IN MAGIC

  “Princess, look out!” a soldier yelled.

  Rakel spun around, but Farrin was already there, bearing down on the would-be attacker with his speed and two-handed broadsword. In a few heartbeats, he had the soldier disarmed and immobilized.

  “Thank you,” Rakel said. She froze the boots of five Chosen soldiers to the ground with chunks of ice, letting the Verglas troops chasing them catch up.

  “Of course,” Farrin said. He lunged forward, slicing his sword through the air in front of her. The orb of black fire that had been creeping towards her bounced off his sword and flew back at its caster.

  The Chosen magic user screamed in pain.

  “We’ve got more enemy soldiers rolling in, Princess.” A reckless grin lit up Pordis’s face as she strode towards Rakel and Farrin. “About thirty paces behind me.”

  “Thank you for acting as bait,” Rakel said.

  “My pleasure. Tryggvi is going to be thoroughly jealous.”

  A squad of Chosen soldiers scrambled around the corner and ran for Pordis, freezing when they realize they had run straight into the street Rakel and Farrin had claimed. Rakel raised a wall of ice behind them to keep them from fleeing, then pelted several dozen ice daggers at them.

  The soldiers shouted and tried to charge, but Rakel froze over their weapons—making them too cold to hold. Their hands formed clawed sh
apes—and ached with the unbearable temperature, probably—and they turned to dart up an alley, running straight into Bunny and Tollak. The men screamed, Bunny roared in her snow bear form, and Tollak chuckled.

  “Good show!” Tollak said.

  “I must say, battle is certainly nothing I would wish upon any person or country, but there is something satisfying about paying back these wretches for all the damage they have rained down on our pure Verglas,” Pordis said.

  “I am glad to see you made it through your captivity without any injuries.” Rakel raised her hands, and snow started to drift down from the sky—causing shouts of panic from Chosen soldiers.

  Armed with the knowledge that Tenebris was going to disrupt their supply caravans, Pordis had volunteered to take a number of her wagons near the medium-sized city of Kiby. It was smaller than Glowma, occupied by the Chosen, and positioned near the Verglas-Kozlovka border.

  A number of soldiers and magic users—including Bunny and Phile—had gone with Pordis as her “employees,” and also to serve as her guards in case of violence. As predicted, Chosen forces intercepted them and took them captive. Once they were taken inside Kiby, they waited for dusk to fall, then Phile broke everyone out and opened the city gates, letting Rakel and additional Verglas troops inside.

  I think this might be the easiest battle we’ve had so far. All the extra magic users make quite a difference, and having Farrin has greatly improved my ability to fight. It was a wonder how much easier it was to use her magic when she wasn’t always listening for an ambush.

  Rakel heard a number of soldiers stomping their direction. She listened for the familiar clink of Verglas armor. Not hearing it, she iced over the street and strewed powdery snow on top of it.

  The Chosen soldiers moved from the alley to the street and wiped out.

  Rakel raised an eyebrow at Farrin. “Your soldiers would have worn ice cleats.”

  “Kavon has been south—out of your reach—and he doesn’t much care about his front lines,” Farrin said. He stalked towards the fallen soldiers like a cat.