“We have just survived the impossible!” interjected the high prince. “We are surrounded by devastation. I simply cannot afford to send valuable resources across the ocean—”
“Perhaps,” said Kassandr, speaking for the first time, “we cannot affordnotto, Father. You saw those berserkers. You see what they’ve done to the might of Zagadka.” He gestured to the ruins all around them. “How do you think we will fare upon their return?”
Khiva stepped forward, encouraged, apparently, by Kassandr’s boldness. “Thus far, the tamer of horses has not spoken an untruth. She knows things we cannot—she knows this enemy better than all else!”
“You would go to this isle of ice and fire?” asked the clansmother, aghast. “You would lead your horsemaidens into danger on unknown soil?”
“I would die to keep a collar from the necks of our children, Mother. To keep our horses free and protect peace on the steppe.” Khiva nodded, resolute. “Everything I have seen in this city tells me the tamer of horses is a truthful and wise leader—a woman worth following.”
Khiva approached Saga, dozens of horsemaidens following.
“I have discussed with my women, and we have agreed to follow you.” Saga’s heart hammered as Khiva and the horsemaidens dropped to one knee. “We pledge to you our swords and horses.That is close to one hundred horsemaidens who will travel across the oceans with you, tamer of horses. We would see these bear-warriors vanquished before their greed consumes our world.”
Saga’s rapidly beating heart now swelled with gratitude.
“I cannot abandon my clans in the middle of winter,” the clansmother protested. “But perhaps I can put them to use. With access to the ore mines in the east”—she glanced at the high prince briefly—“we could prepare armor and weapons in our mountain forges. We can ready ourselves should the time come—” The clansmother’s voice trailed off.
It was not a promise to join the war, but it was a door opened. A possibility. Saga jumped down from the boulder to clasp the clansmother’s hands before bowing her head.
“I thank you, clansmother.” She turned to Khiva and, after a moment of hesitation, wrapped the startled horsemaiden in a fierce hug. “And I thank you, Khiva, for your trust. I do not take these words lightly.”
Saga stepped back, willing the tears burning behind her eyes to stay put.
“I need more,” said the high prince, rubbing his temples. “I need details—a plan. What do you propose?”
Saga turned to him. “King Ivar will take this loss badly. I suggest that you send with me warriors to Íseldur; that we strike before Ivar recovers.”
“Our city has burned, our fortress destroyed!” exclaimed Oleg. “Father, we need those men—”
To Saga’s great surprise, the high prince raised a hand, and his son fell silent. “Continue.”
Saga swallowed. “North.” The last she’d heard from her, Eisa was in the north, and Saga could not shake Ana’s comment that the rebel chieftains opposing Ivar hailed from the same region. It seemed a promising place to start. “I propose we sail to north of Íseldur. Find Eisa and join with her. Perhapsalonewe do not have swords enough to fight Ivar and his father. But together with those in Íseldur…he would not expect it.”
Oleg’s face had reached crimson now. “Father, surely you are not considering—”
Another wave of the high prince’s hand, before he stepped onto the boulder and stared out at his people. “Saga Volsik,” he said in a loud, carrying voice, “might have brought the Urkans to our doorstep sooner than expected. But she has also saved us. Without the timely help of the clans beyond the river, Kovograd would have fallen. A Usurper would sit on the throne, and we would be dead or enslaved. For that, she has earned a boon.”
Hope pumped through Saga’s veins as the high prince glanced from Kassandr to her. The corners of his lips pulled up. “We will lend you our swords,” said the high prince of Zagadka. “But I have some conditions.”
Saga licked her lips. “What are they?”
“One,” said the high prince, lifting a finger, “you will swear to this alliance before the altars of our four gods.”
Saga was already nodding along.
“Second.” The high prince lifted a second finger. “You will join your bloodline with ours through marriage.”
Saga’s stomach hollowed out as she stared at the high prince, dumbfounded.
“Father—” growled Kassandr, but his father cut him off.
“You may choose among our eligible nobles. My son Oleg—”
“Have you knocked your head, old man?” sputtered Oleg.
“—is of marrying age,” said the high prince, lips pressed together as though this amused him. “And Elder Fedar is in need of a second wife.”
Despite herself, Saga’s gaze followed the high prince’s. Elder Fedar stroked his long gray mustache pensively.
