“How?”
I’d been thinking about that since I left the archives. “Create a thermal barrier. Use heat to form rising air currents that carry the particles straight up, above the inhabited elevations, where they’ll disperse harmlessly.”
“That sounds complicated and potentially dangerous.”
“It is. But it’ll work.” I met his eyes, needing him to believe me. “I can do this, Raoul. I’ve manipulated larger weather systems. This is just more focused, more controlled.”
He studied me for a long moment, and I sensed he was weighing options. Risk versus reward. Immediate action versus waiting for a safer approach.
“What do you need?” he finally asked.
The trust in those words made my throat tighten. He wasn’t questioning my expertise or suggesting caution. He was asking how he could help.
“People who know the peaks,” I said. “We need to locate every exposed ice formation. Both courts will have to cooperate. That means sharing maps and coordinating search efforts.”
“I can make that happen.”
“We need to do it before the Summit. If we solve this now, show both courts that working together produces results, tensions will ease.”
“It’ll set the tone for everything else.” He nodded slowly. “It’ll prove that cooperation is possible. That trust can be rebuilt.”
“Exactly.”
He turned to the maps, studying them. “If we leave soon, we can reach Silvervale before dawn. We’ll locate formations tomorrow and start the sublimation process as soon as possible after that.”
“Then move to Goldwing and repeat the process.”
“We’d be cutting it close. The Summit starts in five days.”
“Then we better not waste time.”
A smile tugged at his mouth. “My determined wife. Always ready to attempt the impossible.”
“Only when the impossible is actually just the improbable dressed up in scary clothes.”
He laughed, pulling me close. “I love how you think.”
“You mentioned that already.”
“Doesn’t make it less true.” He kissed my forehead, and warmth flooded through me. “Let me send messagesto both courts. We’ll need their cooperation, their best scouts, and their trust that we’re not making this up.”
“Will they believe us?”
“They’ll believe the science, and they’ll trust that neither of us has any reason to lie.” He was already moving toward the door, his mind shifting into diplomatic mode. “Start gathering what you need. Supplies, equipment, anything that’ll help with the weather working.”
He left to send messages, and I returned to our rooms to pack. Fletcher followed, making worried sounds.
“I know,” I told him, gathering my weather instruments and warm clothing. “It’s risky. But those babies need help, and we’re the only ones who can provide it. Demi will take care of you.”
By the time I’d finished packing, Raoul had arrived with confirmation from both courts. They’d agreed to share information and provide whatever assistance we needed.
“Trevare sounded relieved,” Raoul said, helping me carry bags to the courtyard. “Queen Mortiven was more cautious, but willing.”
“Because they both want this problem solved.”
“And because they both trust you.” He set down the bags, turning to face me. “They might not trust each other yet, but they trust the witch queen who’s willing to risk herself to help their hatchlings.”
“I’m not risking myself. I’m just doing weather magic.”
