“I do not understand it either,” Rakel said, watching Gerta and Kai run past, dragging a patient reindeer with them by his leadline.
“We’ll set up scouts and prepare for an attack, just in case they decide to rush it. If they do not move today, we’ll set up a trap of our own tonight and catch them on their march to our camp,” Captain Halvor said.
“How can we set up a trap? They could attack from a slew of angles,” Oskar said.
“Perhaps, but there is one route that will be quickest and easiest for them, particularly if we can force them to take it,” Captain Halvor said, looking at Rakel.
“How can we—oh,” Oskar said.
“You want me to make areas impassable?” Rakel asked.
“It would go a long way to fortify our attack.”
Rakel frowned. “If you show me the areas, I will attempt it tonight.”Under cover of darkness. No sense spreading unease amongst our ranks.
Captain Halvor bowed. “Thank you, Princess.”
“Did you uncover anything else pertinent to the attack?” Oskar asked.
Snorri shook his head, but Phile spoke. “Of the attack, no. But I did learn something else.”
“Oh?”
“Yes. Farrin Graydim recently received a letter that outlined the Chosen’s intensions for King Steinar, Rakel’s brother.”
Rakel had been watching Kai race past, riding the reindeer, but at Phile’s words, she snapped to attention.
Oskar glanced at her and leaned forward in his chair. “Are they going to move him?”
“No,” Phile said. “They’re going to kill him.”
The air left the lean-to in which they were huddled, and Rakel felt disembodied.
“When?” Captain Halvor asked.
“In two weeks.”
“Two weeks? We’ll be lucky if we’re occupying Glowma by then,” Oskar said.
Captain Halvor rubbed his eyes. “It’s a troubling situation,” he said.
Phile tipped her head and frowned. “How so?”
“Because they’re working with me,” Rakel said, sensing their inner struggle. “Steinar is my little brother. If I hadn’t been born cursed with magic, the crown would have been mine. As it is, Steinar is captive, and Captain Halvor and Oskar have been acting according to my wishes. They are in an awkward situation, strung between two royals of the same house.”
“He’s yourlittlebrother?” Phile frowned. “But he looks older than you!”
“You’ve seen him?” Rakel asked.
“I spied around Ostfold and the palace a bit before joining you at that Chosen garrison.”
“I see. The difference is likely a result of war on his end and magic on mine. Steinar is nineteen. I am twenty-two,” Rakel said dryly.I wonder if Phile could tell me what he is like…
“No—you don’t look a day over eighteen!” Phile declared.
Rakel ignored the observation and shifted her attention to her closest advisors. “Once we get through tomorrow’s attack, draw up plans to rescue him.”
“Princess?” Oskar said, his forehead wrinkled with concern.
