Bran seemed to be thinking the same thing because he quietly sent a message back through the line, to keep silent, to not shout or yell, and to speed up the pace. Fenling glanced at me, and I nodded, softly chucking to Yaran to get a move on.
By late afternoon, I was about to breathe a sigh of relief. We were near the end of the pass and so far, so good. But then, a rumble shook the ground. I stifled a shout as, ahead of us, Bran, Quen, and San broke into a gallop. Fenling and I did the same, and I could hear the other riders behind us.
A loud roar echoed through the air and, as I glanced toward the cliffs on our left, a gigantic creature broke out from beneath the snow, sending an avalanche toward us. The creature must have been fifty feet tall, and he was halfway up the cliff, shaking off the snow like a sleeper pushing back his blanket. Made of granite boulders, the rock elemental immediately headed down the slope, our way, in back of the massive wash of snow barreling for us.
Yaran ran like the wind as I clung to the reins, frantically trying to breathe. I leaned forward to steady myself against the speed, and gave him his head.
As a group, we raced toward the exit of the pass, frantic to escape both the wave of snow and the elemental. I whispered a prayer to the Great Bear, unable to think as Yaran poured on the speed. The sound was horrible—the thundering of a thousand drums as the ground shook and all I could think was,please let us exit the pass, please let us escape the snow. The elemental was dangerous, but the avalanche could bury us alive.
And then—the exit to the pass was near.
“Go, go, Yaran. Fly fast,” I whispered to Yaran as I leaned low, still trying to keep my balance on the wild ride.
The snow was nearly to the road, a massive field of white rumbling down the mountain heading toward us, but we were near the end. Behind the snow, the rock elemental was trying to head our way, but he couldn’t manage through the frozen field that now covered the trail more than twice my height.
“Ride on,” Bran shouted back.
Finally, as we left the pass behind us, he motioned for us to stop. I glanced back, relieved to see that the elemental hadn’t followed us. But the avalanche had blocked the pass, and for good or ill, we were stuck.
Bran glanced at the sky. It was still clear, and with the winds that constantly blew, if it stayed cloudless into the night, the temperature would fall to dangerous levels.
“We ride without stopping. There’s no danger now in falling over the side, and if we continue on the trail, we should reach Swelan by nightfall,” he said. He turned his horse and once again motioned for us to follow him.
As we headed out, I glanced at Fenling. “We can’t go back, at least not until the snow melts. The avalanche cut off the trail through the pass. Are there any other ways around it?”
She shook her head. “Not that I know of. Let’s hope that Swelan proves friendly, because it’s likely to be our home for the coming months.”
We rode in silence until twilight, and then—in the darkening sky—we saw lights from up ahead.The village of Swelan.We’d made it, and now, come what may, it was our home for the winter. As we drew closer, the cheery glow from the lanterns scattered around the village cheered me up. As we approached the gates, the guards gathered in front, holding up their hands to stop us.
“Who are you and what do you want with our town?”
One of the guards stepped out in front, and at that point, I realized they all held staves made of birch wood, and the polished wood gleamed, inset with blue and clear crystals. The guards were wearing blue robes, over white uniforms. Magic swirled around them like a shroud and, without even asking, I knew better than try to go against them. They were powerful magicians.
“We come seeking asylum, and an audience with your queen.” Bran stepped forward. “I am Lord Bran, from the Castle Eleago, above the Leanderial Line. I and my companions come seeking your help.”
The guards suddenly fell silent, parting. From within the gates, a massive white stallion appeared. Atop the horse was a woman wearing ice-blue robes that fell over a dress as white and sparkling as the snow. Her golden hair trailed down her shoulders, setting off the brilliant blue of her eyes. She wore a crown of clear crystal and a nimbus of mist surrounded her.
She sat sidesaddle, holding the reins, and as I stared up at her, I felt as though I was gazing at a goddess. When she looked at me, I felt like she could see through me, into my heart. I wanted to hide, but there was nowhere to go. She rode up to Bran, then motioned to one of the guards.
He stepped forward, looking both proud and terrified.
“Her Majesty Borea, of the city of Swelan, bids you welcome.”
Bran inclined his head. “Your Majesty, we ask a boon from you. We seek amnesty and protection in your fair city.”
She stared at him, but I still felt her watching me, as though her spirit turned toward me even as she was speaking to him.
“Bran of the Wolves. I met your father, many years ago. He was a valiant man and he proved his courage many times over in my service. Bring your companions to my palace, and we will discuss matters.” She turned to go.
As we began to follow her and the guards into the city, her voice echoed in my mind. It was all I could do to hold tight to the reins as she said,Daughter of the Bear, I have been waiting for you. Your arrival has been foretold. Fate has brought you to my city. And your life will never be the same…And so we entered Swelan, to meet the People of the Winds and to meet our destiny.
