It was impossible, given the distance they needed to travel and the days that Vale and Isolde had been gone, that they’d seen the humans to another kingdom. What else could they have done with the slaves? Kept the humans in the mountains?
Or perhaps the humans had remained in the woods while the fae ventured into town and the humans were still actually traveling with them?
“Which direction did they go when they left?” Roar asked.
“They took the high road to Vitvik, or so says my son. He was huntin’ goats on the mountainside and saw them leave.”
Roar sat up. Vitvik was a small city, and he still found it difficult to believe that all the fae in a city would allow humans to live alongside them. He was not the only one with harsh feelings toward the weaker species.
“Are there towns or villages along the way to Vitvik?”
The barkeep appeared deep in thought as he polished a horn. “There was once, but no longer. Too many wild orc tribes in this part of the kingdom.”
Once. Were Vale and Isolde taking the humans to a ghost town? Would he find both his slaves and his enemies in one place?
“Can you show me which road they took? And provide amap showing any of the smaller ones?” Just in case, it was best to have all the information on hand.
“‘Course, mi lord. I’ll send the server to get one right now.” The barkeep looked as though he wished to say more but did not.
Roar slid another gold across the table. “Tell me.”
“The path to Vitvik is perilous. Often much colder than the surrounding area—locals think the passages trap the wind, but there are also creatures in the mountains.Monsters.You’ll take care if you go that way?”
Roar’s ears perked up. It was said that until a fae worthy of ruling Winter’s Realm held the Ice Scepter, the magic of the kingdom would continue to fall into disarray. Cold came with that. Maybe the Ice Scepter had not traveled so far from the site of his parents’ deaths after all?
“Mi lord? I’d be upset if I sent you that way, and you found harm.”
“My party will take care,” Roar assured him. “Thank you for your service.” He stood, not bothering to finish the ale, and left the tavern.
He rejoined his travel party to learn that the king had found nothing of importance at the coinary. That failing frustrated Magnus and left him at a loss until Roar divulged what he’d learned. His idea about the Scepter, too, just to sweeten the deal.
The king grasped at the idea, flailing for some lead, and they took to the skies.
They followed the small road the barkeep pointed out as it unraveled through narrow mountain passages. They searched for signs of passing through, burnt wood froma fire being one sign. They hoped, with the beating of their gryphons’ wings, that finally, they’d have a true lead.
“I’m going lower,” the king shouted over the wind. “To ride through that tunnel through the rock.”
Roar squinted and saw what the king meant. A tunnel ran through the mountain in a place where it would have been too precarious to carve a road on the mountainside. Likely of dwarven creation. In no way did Roar think that his enemies or the humans would all be in there, hiding. However, the tunnel could hold other clues.
“I’ll join you,” Roar said.
The king did not deny him, so the pair descended, the Clawsguards behind, following their king. Upon landing, the king directed a Clawsguard to ride first. Magnus took second position, and Roar followed with the other guards at the rear. They entered the darkness of the tunnel, and a cold set in—one even more stifling than outside.
Recalling the barkeep’s words, Roar sat up straighter, a mistake as the stone ceiling dipped, and he nearly knocked himself out.
Magnus, however, continued forward, his hand running along the wall. Seconds passed before he stopped, twisted to meet Roar’s eyes.
“We need to find a way inside this mountain.”
“Of course, Majesty,” Roar replied, heart skipping a beat. For the first time in days, the king appeared very determined. “You believe they’re in there?”
“I think first of the Ice Scepter. Your own magic is frozen, is it not?”
“It is.”
“Then this area needs to be investigated.” The king paused. “If what I seek is not there, we continue to Vitvik, but if it is, andwehave found it . . .” He let out a hard laugh. “Then she still cannot read her magic. A boon for me.”
Isolde had been powerful in the mines, but Roar believed the king was right. The Falk princess was unable to wield them like one who knew their magic inside and out should be able to use their powers.
