“No,” Rakel said.
Oskar leaned back in his chair. “Incredible,” he murmured. He glanced at Captain Halvor. “Shall I try explaining this one, as well?”
Captain Halvor nodded sagely.
“My understanding is not as clear as Halvor’s—I know only what he’s told me—but all magic users have either a limit or a price they pay for using their magic. Magics that have limits mean there is a limitation to their use. Some can use only a certain amount of their magic every day; or perhaps they are limited to working their magic on things they can touch, or only one thing at a time. The majority of magic users have limitations. However, there are some magic users who have to “pay,” so to speak, for using magic. They might use vast amounts of energy when using their abilities and feel depleted afterwards. Or perhaps their magic can be activated only with the shedding of their blood. Does any of this resonate?”
Rakel forced herself to sit up straight when all she wanted to do was hunch over.What kind of a monster am I that I have neither a limit nor a price?Aloud, she said, “No, I have never encountered such a thing.”
Captain Halvor pushed off the wall. “It is possible that you have not used enough magic to hit your limit or to be required to pay for its usage.”
“If that is so, you must be cautious in the future, Princess. According to the scouts, youwillencounter it,” Oskar promised as he rose from his chair.
Neither Oskar nor Captain Halvor appeared to be frightened that she hadn’t encountered a price or limit on her magic. Instead, the set of Captain Halvor’s shoulders and the lines crinkling around Oskar’s green eyes spoke of worry…for her.
A smile threatened to bud on her lips.If I have received any gift, it is not magic, but Phile’s friendship, and these two men.Rakel tucked the thought away, saving it for a less critical time. “I understand,” she said. “I will be watchful when I build the snowstorm tonight.”
“Ah, yes. I nearly forgot about that. We’ll get ready to head out with you,” Oskar said.
“It’s not necessary,” Rakel said.
Captain Halvor shook his head. “It is only right. Excuse us, Princess. I will have the reindeer sleighs prepared.”
“I’ll go get extra furs. If you build a blizzard, I imagine it’s going to get cold. We’ll be ready shortly, Princess,” Oskar called over his shoulder as he and Captain Halvor made for the door.
“It’s not…I don’t need…” she broke off in a sigh when they left without listening to her. “Yes. A realgift,” she reminded herself. She frowned in irritation until she remembered their worry, and a smile finally won the war. “Enough. I must focus on the present. Tomorrow, we fight.”
CHAPTER 10
TO BATTLE
Rakel watched the fox with the fascination of a child. While everyone else in her unusual army was silent and motionless, watching the pass for signs of the Chosen army, she gawked at the small animal—the first one she had ever seen outside of a book.
The fox seemed to notice her stare, and it made a show of digging a hole in the snow and thrusting its nose in it.
“Is that normal behavior for a Verglas fox?” Phile asked.
Rakel shrugged. “I wouldn’t know.”
The fox barked—a strange combination of a scream and a hoarse yodel. “That is an awful noise,” Phile said.
Captain Halvor rustled a branch, and Rakel cringed in guilt. She gave the fox one last curious glance, and turned to peer down the pass.
The previous night, Rakel had coated the land in a layer of snow that almost reached her knees and used impressive drifting to wash out most of the roads and paths. The one area she kept open was the path they guarded—which wove between two steep hills to create a small pass. Captain Halvor had chosen this location as the place they would make their stand.
They had slipped into position hours ago, and while Rakel tried to tweak the air temperature so it was a little warmer, many were cold and uncomfortable from the inactivity.
“Maybe they’ve changed their plans,” she said as the fox barked again.
“Doubtful,” Phile snorted.
“Colonel Graydim likely realized we were in his office. He?—”
“There,” Captain Halvor said, pointing to the entrance of the pass.
Armor glittered in the sunlight as the Chosen army marched forward.
“Are you ready, Princess?” Oskar asked.
