by K. M. Shea
“Please, sir, stop!” a soldier in the room begged.
CRASH!
“I would if you would UNTIE ME,” Oskar growled.
“But, but it was the c-captain’s orders!”
“Forget your mule-headed captain. Once I loosen these knots, you’ll regret the day you left the womb!”
“If you’ll allow me, Princess.” Captain Halvor bowed and made his way inside.
“Halvor—you traitorous cur—what?”
There were several moments of silence as Phile and Rakel slipped from the horse, until Oskar burst outside.
“Princess,” he said—his shirt ripped and frayed and his hair mussed. He swept Rakel up in a tight hug, surprising both of them.
“I’m sorry,” he said.
“It wasn’t your fault.”
“That doesn’t matter. It must have frightened you.”
“Thank you for welcoming me back, Oskar.”
He squeezed her once more—being careful for her side and arm—and released her.
“If you’re giving out passionate embraces, I’ll take two for starters, please,” Phile said with a winning smile.
“You were the one who brought her back?” Oskar asked.
“Yes,” Phile said, throwing her arms wide. She shrieked in surprise when Oskar picked her up and whirled her around.
“Thank you,” he said.
“O-of course.” Phile’s face turned such a brilliant shade of red, she glowed in the torchlight.
“Considering you have the shame of a dirty old man, you appear to be easily embarrassed,” Rakel said when Oskar put Phile down and she tottered away.
“You,” Phile snarled.
The exchange got several chuckles from the soldiers and villagers who accompanied her.
Phile scowled, but she slung an arm over Rakel’s shoulders. “Come on—you need to get your wounds checked again, and I don’t know about you, but I’m ready for bed.”
“What does your bed have to do with me?”
“I’ve decided that we’re bunking together. I don’t care if Captain Halvor and Oskar get all prissy about you being a princess—we’re sharing a room!”
“As you wish,” Rakel said. In spite of her warm welcome and her new determination to trust her people, it was hard to focus. I can’t undo years of self-preservation in a single night, but Phile is right. I need to trust them more, and that starts with my magic. If I want to take Glowma and rescue Steinar, I’m going to have to use more of it in the open.
Remembering Farrin, she thought dimly, but even that might not be enough.
CHAPTER 12
VERGLAS MAGIC USERS
“Princess, how’s your side? Mother said you were hurt real bad,” Gerta said, staring at Rakel’s uninjured side. Her gaze was so intense she almost tripped when she walked into a dip in the road.
“It was the opposite side I injured, and I am well enough. I sustained a minor wound compared to most,” Rakel said, smiling tightly at the little girl as they strolled past a gaggle of gossiping women.
Kai pursed his lips. “I don’t like magic users at all—except you, Princess!” he hurried to add.
“Kai, that’s mean!” Gerta said, her eyes wide. “There’re nice magic users, too! It’s just like reindeer; the mean ones are the ones everyone talks about.”
“Have you been talking with Phile?” Rakel asked as they approached the long, skinny building that housed Oskar, Captain Halvor, and most of his squad.
“No…why?”
“It is nothing. If you’ll excuse me, children,” Rakel said, stopping in front of the door of Captain Halvor and Oskar’s shared quarters.
“Yes, Princess,” Gerta chirped.
“We’re still searching for a bull reindeer,” Kai promised.
“Thank you. Enjoy your morning,” Rakel said, slipping into the room.
The pair must have cleaned up the mess it sounded like Oskar had made the previous night, for the room was spotless.
Phile was seated in one of the chairs, leaning it back so it balanced on two legs. She nodded in a greeting. “Your strapping manservants are gone gathering some reports. I expect they’ll arrive at any moment.”
“They are not manservants.” Rakel smoothed the fabric of her gray dress and eased into another open chair.
“What else do you call an attendant and a pet-captain?” Phile asked.
Rakel frowned. “They deserve your respect.”
Phile flashed her a toothy smile. “I know. I just wanted to make sure you remember that, too.”
Oskar and Captain Halvor made their entrance, each bowing to Rakel and seating themselves.
“We need to discuss yesterday’s battle. It went…poorly,” Rakel said.
“It was unfortunate we did not predict that Colonel Graydim would have a second, more lethal magic, though I don’t believe we can be blamed. Most magic users specialize in one specific power,” Captain Halvor sighed. “Unfortunately, there is no excellent way to counter him as long as he is absorbed with you.”
“Halvor and I were thinking we could travel south and free a few more sets of Verglas troops. If we had more troops, we could face Glowma without your powers—except for, perhaps, a few key moments,” Oskar said.
“What about Steinar?” Rakel asked.
Captain Halvor was mute, and Oskar shook his head, his eyes mournful. “Saving him is beyond our reach at this time, Princess. If we can make it apparent that we are a force to be reckoned with, perhaps they will spare him in hopes that he can be used as bait or for bargaining.”
Rakel stood. “That’s not good enough. The Chosen are ruthless. They’re confident they’ve won already, and they don’t care at all for those who don’t have magic. They’ll kill him.”
“It cannot be prevented, Princess,” Captain Halvor said. “If I thought we stood even a chance, I would march on Ostfold, but you are our only magic user, and you cannot counter Farrin.”
Phile studied Foedus with great nonchalance. “If only there was someone so crazily powerful, he—or she—could face him.”
Rakel pressed her lips together and gave her friend a warning look.
“What?” Phile asked, all innocence and sweetness. “We won’t be able to take Glowma back until Farrin can be dealt with.”
Rakel grit her teeth. “What if I could do it?”
Oskar stared at her.
“The wall I built? I can do more,” Rakel said.
Captain Halvor blinked. “More?”
“Much, much more.”
“Finally! She admits it.” Phile said, hopping up from her chair so she could thrust a finger in Rakel’s direction. “She’s been holding back because she didn’t want people to think she was monstrous.”
Captain Halvor frowned. “What are you yapping about?”
“She means that each time I cleared out villages and the garrison, and even when I fought Farrin, I didn’t use my magic to the fullest extent. I dared not against Farrin because it would be disastrous if he reflected it back at our forces, and during the other times it seemed…prudent to minimize my power,” Rakel acknowledged.
“But this has to be the end of that,” Phile said. “You need to drive the soldiers away—frightened and screaming—instead of whisking them away with soft snow like they are babes in a cradle.”
Rakel threaded her fingers together. “I don’t know if I agree with that.”
Phile tilted her head and studied her with glittering eyes. “You claim you want to save your brother. Is his life really that precious?”
Rakel nodded.
“Then you’ll have to do this,” Phile flatly said. “You can’t fight half-heartedly anymore. I’ve seen you make life-sized reindeer sculptures for the children. Apply the same method, but make swords and spears of ice and fling them around.” She plopped back down in her chair and leaned forward in her eagerness, almost toppling over.
Phile’s words stung, but Rakel couldn’t deny her argument. “I don’t want
to use my magic to kill,” she said.
“That doesn’t mean you can’t injure anyone,” Oskar said, rubbing his chin.
Captain Halvor spoke up. “While your morals are admirable, I am not certain we will win this fight if you do not bend in some way.”
Rakel clasped her hands together. “We’re not fighting against monsters, but other people.”
“Yes, people who have slaughtered our armies and plan to kill your brother. They’ve already maimed you,” Phile said.
“Fighting is not something to be reveled in, Princess. I would spare you the pain of it if I could,” Captain Halvor said. “But you know that the leaders of the Chosen army are evil. Some of their underlings might not be, but the actions of the armies are a loud testament to the state of their commanders’ souls. I do not wish for blood to be on your hands, but I would rather that you live to see the dawn of tomorrow than die as a martyred innocent.”
“War is a grave matter, Little Wolf,” Phile said. “This rebellion is guaranteed to cost lives. The real question is whether the lives will be those of the innocent or the tyrannical. Your magic could be the determining factor.”
“Do even you know how much you can do?” Oskar asked.
Rakel studied her hands. “I can make things, but I know only architecture and animals—not weapons.”
“Oh, yes, you do,” Phile grinned. “I heard all about the statue you made and impaled with an ice sword.”
“It was a poor replica. I am certain I forged it wrong,” Rakel said.
“It doesn’t matter if the sword was balanced or not. When faced with a cloud of ice pikes, even the best swordsman will tremble in his boots,” Oskar said.
“Don’t worry,” Phile smiled. “We can work together to come up with all sorts of fearsome attacks. You will enjoy it.”
Rakel frowned. “I find that unlikely.”
“There is another thing that should be discussed,” Captain Halvor said, carefully. “Princess…when you fell unconscious, was it due to blood loss…or your limit?”
Rakel’s frown deepened. “Neither, I think. Though my wounds were painful, they were not deep. I did not feel lightheaded at the time.”
“But it had to be your magic. You used too much,” Phile said.
“No. Building the wall did not tax my magic. I had plenty left. It must be my price. Could it be that I fall unconscious whenever I use a sizeable portion of my magic instead of a loss of energy, or something else similar?” Rakel asked.
“It is plausible,” Oskar said.
“It has never happened previously, and I’ve been using my magic for years.”
“Yes, but have you used as much as you flashed around yesterday?” Phile asked, tapping her nose. “Even before you built your monolith of a wall—which was wretchedly cold, I’ll have you know—you were throwing magic left and right.”
“Phile mentioned the cold, and I agree. Your ice-castle feels like normal ice. That wall…” Captain Halvor shook his head.
“It was a frozen temperature I’ve never experienced,” Oskar said.
Rakel frowned. I hope that’s not my price. Pain I could endure, but being knocked unconscious for a time in which I am out of control? That is unacceptable.
“It’s something to keep in mind,” Captain Halvor said. “Particularly if we are to try to march against Glowma.”
“We are,” Rakel said, iron in her voice.
“Perhaps,” Oskar said, “but even with the revelation of your powers, we cannot attempt to take back Ostfold in time to save—” Someone knocked at the door. “Are we expecting company?” he asked.
Captain Halvor gripped the hilt of his sword. “No,” he said as he moved to the door. He opened it, revealing Snorri with a middle-aged woman and three soldiers standing behind him.
Snorri saluted and stood in the doorway. “Sir, we wish to have an audience with you and Princess Rakel, outside,” he said, more articulate than usual.
“Now?” Captain Halvor asked.
“It’s important, sir.”
Captain Halvor turned to appeal to Rakel, but she was already standing. “It’s fine, Captain. Snorri was the reason Phile found the information about yesterday’s march against our encampment.”
“Don’t undermine my work,” Phile complained. She nudged Snorri aside and led the way out of the room.
Oskar, however, was not quite so forgiving—probably because Snorri was one of the soldiers to secure him during the previous night. “What is it, Snorri?” he asked, his voice like the howling wind of a winter storm as they gathered in the middle of the road.
Snorri—and the woman and soldiers—bowed at the waist. “We would like to offer our services to you, Princess Rakel.”
“Are you sure you want to talk out in the open?” Phile asked as she inspected the bustling outpost.
Rakel ignored her friend. “You have already served me well, Snorri.”
“As magic users,” Snorri said.
Rakel blinked. “What?”
“As magic users,” Snorri said, his voice surprisingly loud and clear.
Previously, villagers and soldiers alike were moving about their business, not giving much attention to Rakel and her companions. With this confession, however, many stopped and stared, and others gathered around.
“The five of you can use magic?” Rakel asked, looking past him to the three soldiers and the woman.
All of them bowed again. “We beg forgiveness for our deceit, Princess,” a soldier said.
“And our silence—and failure to step forward,” another said.
“It is our dishonor,” the woman said.
“Why come forward now?” Oskar asked. The cold edge to his voice was replaced with cautious curiosity.
“Yesterday’s battle, sir,” Snorri said.
“The princess faced four magic users at once and made a path for our escape. She should not be forced to bear such a heavy burden alone,” the last soldier said.
A flurry of whispers tore through the camp. Villagers gasped; soldiers stared at their comrades-in-arms in shock, and some edged away.
Watching the reaction, Rakel understood two things: First, the woman and the soldiers must have been hiding their magic since birth, for it was apparent that no one knew of their abilities. Secondly, they were entering a state of social rejection for her sake. A powerful magic-using princess might be allowed, but these five magic users did not have the clout of the royal name to hide behind. When this was over, they would have to start over, for who would befriend them? Moreover, they were declaring this in front of others. Everyone would know about their magic.
Rakel’s throat ached as she studied the newly revealed magic users. I don’t deserve this kind of loyalty.
The whispers of the crowd increased, and soldiers and villagers who hadn’t been close enough to hear the announcement were drawn in and informed of the unsettling news by other observers.
“Troll.” Sour-faced Unnr spat at the lone woman, who cowered.
This cannot be allowed. “Enough!” she shouted.
The crowd grew silent and turned their attention to her.
Rakel grasped for words—ideas that she didn’t know how to express. She combed the unkind audience and caught sight of a familiar face. “Knut. Come here.”
The soldier hastily left the crowd and hurried up to her, bowing. “Yes, Princess.”
“Describe Snorri’s person, if you would.”
Knut scratched his neck and squinted at her. “Princess?”
“What kind of man is he?”
“Quiet…and a little hard to understand. He keeps to himself a lot,” Knut said, slow to start. He gave his fellow guard a nervous look, but as he spoke, he grew more confident. “But he’s good at what he does.”
“Has he ever wronged you or acted against the best interest of the country?” Rakel asked.
“No, Princess. Never. He saved my life just a few days ago on a scouting trip against the Chosen. They almost found me,
but he distracted them and drew their attention away.”
“Snorri is an honorable, dutiful soldier—would you agree?”
“Yes, Princess,” he said solemnly.
“Thank you, Knut. That is all.”
She stepped away from Knut and addressed the crowd. “You know these people. They have fought and lived at your side. Whether or not they have magic doesn’t change their character or their past actions.”
She studied her audience.
Phile cleared her throat. When she caught Rakel’s eye, she smiled and pointed to her lips.
Rakel forced a shaky smile. “They came forward on my behalf—sacrificed their anonymity—so I would not have to fight alone. Please, do not reject them because of their magic. It is such a small thing when compared to the strength of their character.” Her smile grew steadier and more real as she looked at the self-confessed magic users.
Unnr’s face would have been more pleasant if she had swallowed a skunk, but other villagers were nodding thoughtfully. Several of Captain Halvor’s squad stood with Snorri in a move of solidarity and slapped him on the back, and others moved from the crowd to stand with their companions.
The newly outed magic users all introduced themselves to Rakel. Besides Snorri, the other soldiers were named Frodi, the youngest and most hot-headed; Tollak, about Oskar’s age and unflappable; and Ragnar, the oldest and kindest. The sole female magic user was a quiet but sweet-tempered woman named Liv.
Rakel exhaled as the conversation eased. While a few still eyed the quintet with dislike, most of those present returned to chatting and laughing—children even pushed forward, eager to meet the new magic users and hear of their powers.
“Well done, Princess,” Oskar said.
Rakel winced. “I don’t know how to act in these situations.”
“You did fine,” Captain Halvor said. “I appreciate what you said on behalf of Snorri.”
“You knew?” Rakel asked.
Captain Halvor hesitated. “Guessed,” he finally admitted. “I’ve had several soldiers under my command who possess magic.”
“That’s why you know so much about it? Not because you were forewarned about me?”
“I researched it for my men, yes. It’s also why I requested the post on Ensom Peak.”