Everyone in the conversation turned to her, surprised with her sudden entrance.
“What?” she said. “Rakel was being a horrible stagehand. I wanted to come see what had you all whispering like conspirators.”
“The wall is a good idea,” Snorri said.
“There, you see? If Snorri feels strongly enough to speak up, you know it must be brilliant.” Phile pumped her arm in triumph.
“Could you do it, Princess?” Oskar asked.
“Yes—unless the pass is bigger than the maps and descriptions have led me to believe,” Rakel said.
“It might then be worth personally seeing to,” General Halvor said carefully.
“If you still wish to, Princess,” Oskar added.
“I do.”
“We must move swiftly, if that is the case,” General Halvor said. “Snorri, please inform the Fireheart Squad of our departure.”
“Fireheart Squad?” Oskar asked.
“That’s Frodi, Eydìs, and Tollak, isn’t it?” Rakel asked, recalling the various teams in which General Halvor had placed the magic users.
“Exactly so,” General Halvor said. “If you will excuse me, I will begin preparing our troops.” He bowed and then strode away, Snorri moving in his shadow.
“Hmm, perhaps it would be for the best if I returned to my room and bothered Sirpa again. She might be able to tell me just when the mercenary troops will march on Begna,” Hilda said.
Oskar offered her his arm. “I believe I have time to escort you to your room before preparing for the princess’s departure.”
“Excellent!” Phile crowed. “Rakel, you can come with me.”
“Where are you going?” Rakel asked as Oskar and Hilda began the trek to the palace.
“Nowhere. I need to finish my story, or my audience will be disappointed, forever.”
Rakel sighed. “I should have known better than to think you would do something in preparation.”
“As long as I have Foedus and an eye on you, I’m ready for anything,” Phile promised, twirling her ugly, bug-shaped dagger. The weapon was infamous for its homeliness and the many stories Phile told of how it came to be in her possession. “Come on. I don’t know how long the children will be able to sit still until they resort to mischief.”
“They aren’t like you,” Rakel said. “So it would be quite a while, I imagine.” She eyed Phile’s young audience, her expression softening when she saw Gerta and Kai sitting on the outskirts of the group.
Gerta waved. “Princess! Come sit with us!”
Phile swatted her hand at Rakel. “Go—but this timepay attentionwhen I signal you!”
Rakel reluctantly drew closer to the crowd of children, watching them for any signs of fear. Several of them threw quick bows in her direction, but most were focused on Phile as she climbed the ice platform Rakel had made for her. Several of the children were occupied with yanking on each other’s hair and pushing, but they quieted when Phile cleared her throat.
“Princess,” Kai—a grave, adorable little boy—said. He stood to bow to Rakel.
Rakel awkwardly stood until Gerta yanked on her arm, pulling her down to sit on the ground. Gerta climbed into her lap. “Phile is tellin’ us about the time you saved Grandmother! It’s so exciting!”
Kai scooted closer, resembling a bear cub with his thick black jacket, pants, gloves, and hood. “I didn’t know Phile saw you free Vefsna.”
“She didn’t,” Rakel said wryly. She looped her arms around Gerta and adjusted the little girl’s position so her hair wouldn’t tickle Rakel’s nose. Gerta giggled and hugged Rakel, making her smile.
Just a few months ago, I never would have known how warm and precious a hug can be.The twelve years of her exile on Ensom Peak lurked in the back of her mind—an unpleasant reminder of how new the respect and loyalty she had won really was.
But Gerta and Kai never feared me. They never hesitated to reach out for me.Warmed by the thought, Rakel impulsively placed an arm around Kai’s shoulders and pulled him in for a hug as well.
