“Patience, Princess.” Oskar smiled sadly. “It’s all we can do.”
“Before the invasion, King Steinar was competent and strong. I am certain he will return to his duties one day,” General Halvor said.
Some of Rakel’s tension eased at his words. “Thank you.”
General Halvor bowed. “With your arrival, we should move on, Princess.”
“Of course,” Rakel agreed.
Oskar groaned, “I always feel like an idiot when I ride a pony. My legs practically scrape the ground.” He sighed, but resignedly mounted up a sturdy gray pony that was almost as tall as a horse.
Phile batted her eyelashes at him. “You could ride my horse, Oskar.”
“The one you stole from the Chosen Army?” Rakel asked.
“We could ride double,” Phile continued.
Oskar laughed. “While your generosity warms my heart, I’m afraid I must refuse. Ponies are the best animal for the terrain we will cover. Well—they’re the best after reindeer.” He winked at Rakel, drawing a smile from her. “Though it is very convenient that we can travel directly west. If the iceberg weren’t here, the gorge would be impassable—good for defending, not so good for speedy travel.”
“I was thinking of melting the iceberg when summer comes,” Rakel said.
“Wouldn’t that flood the palace with water?” Phile asked.
“No, it would fill the gorge, though.”
“And re-fortify the west side of the palace. I see what you are thinking, Princess. A well thought plan,” Oskar said.
“Thank you. Though I believe the water would be too cold for anything to live in it.”
“That makes it an even better border guard,” Oskar said. “Is something wrong, Phile?”
Phile squinted and pointed to the capital. “There’s a bunch of folk gathering on the border of Ostfold.”
Rakel turned Frigid and shielded her eyes. Several dozen commoners gathered at the edge of the city. Rakel could hear their cheers, and they waved something above their heads. “Is that a flag the closest villager is waving?”
Phile crowed with laughter. “It is—it’syourflag! They’ve come to see you off, Snow Queen!”
Rakel was prepared to scoff, but she fell silent when the breeze made the flag flap, and she caught sight of the familiar white snowflake and ash gray reindeer on a blue field.
“Snow Queen!”
“Go ahead, acknowledge them,” Oskar said.
“They think too highly of me,” Rakel said.
“With your brother hiding, they need someone they can believe in,” Oskar said.
“That’s what I’m afraid of,” Rakel said.But it would feel rude to ignore them…as if I thought they were beneath my notice.She hesitated, then raised her hand and waved.
The cheering grew louder.
Embarrassed, Rakel turned Frigid away. “Are we ready to leave, yet?”
Oskar grinned. “Just about.”
Phile watched Rakel like a curious bird.
“What is it?” Rakel asked.
