Now, witnessing Kai’s ashen little face, she was glad. Gerta was bright and bubbly and would cheer up her friend.
They were in the second wave of civilians and soldiers traveling to the newly established outpost. General Halvor and a number of the magic users and soldiers were already there, finishing set-up. Rakel had chosen to travel with the second wave, mostly because Steinar insisted on leaving when she did, and he had agreed to wait for the second wave if she did.
“Where is Frigid?” Gerta strained her neck to look around. Most of the soldiers walked or rode mountain ponies, but many of the civilians rode in sleighs pulled by reindeer or plump ponies—like Rakel and the children. Behind them, a pair of ponies pulled a sleigh that contained the frosted chunk of ice that encased Farrin Graydim’s broadsword.
“Oskar has him.” Phile shielded her eyes as she scanned the party. She rode her horse but didn’t stray far from Rakel’s sleigh. “He’s pulling a load of goods.”
“This is so much fun!” Gerta declared. “The sun is out, and the snow is melting. Soon the flowers will perk up!”
Rakel winced at the observation. “Yes, spring is coming,” she agreed and exchanged glances with Phile. Their road was still frozen over, and the hills that smoothed around them like mushroom caps were covered with snow, but the trees in the forest that meandered around the hills dripped water from melting icicles fused to their branches.
“You’re worrying needlessly,” Phile said. “You’re not alone anymore.”
Gerta looked back and forth between them. “Pardon?”
“Nothing,” Rakel said, smiling down at the girl. “Gerta, Kai?—”
Rakel was cut off by the sound of a horn. She stilled. “That’s not one of ours.”
Phile popped Foedus out of a sheath on her belt. “Nope.”
A line of soldiers dressed in black and crimson uniforms drifted out of the trees and stood on top of a hill to the west.
We’re under attack.“Children, stayhere,” Rakel urged as she slipped from the sleigh.
“Princess!” the leading officer—Colonel Danr—shouted.
“Coming!” Rakel shouted as soldiers and magic users scrambled into position. Rakel felt a pang of longing for Halvor—this was the first time she would enter combat without him—but she set her shoulders and joined Colonel Danr at the front of the caravan.
“Limited foot soldiers.” Snorri pointed at the incoming forces, who marched down the snow-crusted hill. “Most are decorated officers—magic users. That is Tenebris.” He raised a finger to point to a smudgy character standing on the top of the hill.
Rakel stared in disbelief. “He’s sending his men down without him?” Halvor always fought with his men, and Rakel herself was usually among the first to fight.
“Can you act first, Princess? Farrin will soon be on you, drawing you off,” Colonel Danr said.
Rakel extended her fingers, feeling the cool, restless snow coating the hillside. “Keep your men back,” she warned, and then she pulled.
The snow coating the hillside rushed down the hill in an avalanche, throwing soldiers to their knees and rolling them down the hill. Some resisted and stayed standing, but their formation was ruined.
Rakel, watching wildly for Farrin, then covered the hill with a layer of slick ice. Instead of dragging the temperature of the ice down, she nudged it up so a little bit of water and condensation beaded on the ice, making it extra treacherous.
The ice took down almost all the soldiers and some of the officers. A number of the magic users started using their powers, trying to counteract Rakel’s magic.
The mercenaries, when they recovered, tried shooting arrows down at the Verglas army. Rakel raised an ice shield, blocking all the shots.
“Line up! Magic users, at your will! Archers—on my signal!” Colonel Danr shouted.
“I don’t see Colonel Graydim anywhere,” Liv said. She stuck close to Snorri—her assigned guard for the trip.
Rakel’s brow furrowed. “Or any of the magic users under him.”Is this a trap? Why isn’t he here?Colonel Danr nodded, and Rakel shattered the ice shield.
“Now!” Colonel Danr shouted.
Verglas archers fired arrows at the enemy, engaging troops. The Chosen magic users swept down the treacherous hill, drawing closer.
The Verglas magic users met them.
Frodi and Eydìs teamed up and went after a group of four magic users. Ragnar stayed behind them and summoned his elf-friend, Genovefa. They stood by Steinar, smiting anyone who struck out at them.
