I groaned as I sat up the next morning, a kink in my back from sleeping on the ground. The shelter still smelled of the fish we’d had for dinner the previous night, which didn’t exactly make me excited for breakfast, but I managed to swallow some bread from my pack. Freya and Therese were sleeping soundly before the fire, so I tried to be quiet as I slid out the door, shivering at the sudden cold. The air inside had remained rather warm throughout the night, but one step outside reminded me that we were in a land well below freezing. Gazing toward the village, I noted the ice, still thick on the houses and the surrounding area. Erik was there, walking toward me with a bundle over his back, his hair tousled by a breeze that drifted up from the ocean. I’d half-expected him to have abandoned us during the night.
“Good morning,” he called out.
“Nothing good about mornings in the freezing tundra,” I muttered under my breath, but forced a smile in place. “Find something?” I called out to him.
Erik nodded as he neared, dropping the bag at his feet and opening it for me to see. I knelt down and sifted through the contents, which included a few daggers, a double-sided battle-axe, and a small shield. I glanced up at him, impressed. I tilted my head, wondering if it was my imagination that his clothes appeared to have filled in during the night. His face also didn’t appear as gaunt. Perhaps I’d assessed him incorrectly, because he looked like he could wield these weapons comfortably. “I collected these from hidden spaces, under floorboards mostly.”
“Were things inside just as frozen?”
“Yes.” He hesitated. “I figured that you could use some weapons if you plan to protect me.”
My eyebrows shot up. “Protect you?”
“Of course. Manny failed miserably in his duties, and your friend can teleport us out of here. If something else terrible comes along, I’m sure you can handle it with these.”
“Yes, well, as honored as we would be to escort you, we have our own short-term goals we need to accomplish.”
“Oh?” Erik looked wary. “And what would those be?”
“Well, a few of our friends are being held prisoner. I mean, I hope they’re still…. Anyway, we will be going to rescue them.” I paused as I picked up the bag and we began to walk back to the shelter. “We could use your help, of course.”
Erik blinked. “Myhelp?”
“Yes. Weapon enchanter-extraordinaire. Able to defy the Ice Queen. Who else would I ask?”
He turned a shade paler. “I think you have the wrong impression. Iimbueweapons with magic. I don’t … fight.”
I’d figured as much. “You don’t fight? Then what’s the point of imbuing weapons?”
“Forothersto fight! Obviously!”
I laughed. “Imbue these weapons, then. Give us an advantage in the coming battle.”
He frowned at me. “It’s a process, and I don’t have my tools. Besides, I didn’t say Iwouldn’thelp you.” He paused. “I assume that’s the only way I’m going to get out of this hellscape?”
“I’m afraid so,” I shifted my bag, amused as we reached the shelter. “You need us to get you out of here, and our portal is going to bring us directly to the Ember King’s castle.”
Erik glanced away. “Look, I probably won’t be much help, but I’ll go with you. I just wanted you to know what I could offer.”
“Which is nothing.”
He didn’t disagree. “I’ll need your protection while we’re there. Can you promise me that?”
I pretended to consider. Looking toward the shore, I spied several fish heads, blood soaking the snow. I frowned as I noticed something else bloodied, with slick, gray flesh. A seal, perhaps?
“Well?” Erik snapped, drawing my attention.
“I suppose I can do my best,” I said with a sigh.
Erik mused, “I don’t suppose you can drop me off somewhere else before this rescue mission?” He looked at me hopefully for a moment before his face dropped. “Well, I don’t really have a choice then, do I? If I stay here, the Ice Queen will track me down. At least with you, I have a chance.”
“Then we’re in agreement,” I said. I clapped him on the shoulder. “Just … try to stay out of the way. And don’t get anyone killed. If you do …”
“You’ll gut me?” he finished for me, face souring.
“Worse. I’ll have Freya do it.” I tightened my grip on his shoulder. “But before we do anything, you’re going to tell me about that.” I gestured to the dead seal and fish.
Erik tried to shrug my hand off, but I held on firmly.
