“What about Steinar?” Rakel asked.
Captain Halvor was mute, and Oskar shook his head, his eyes mournful. “Saving him is beyond our reach at this time, Princess. If we can make it apparent that we are a force to be reckoned with, perhaps they will spare him in hopes that he can be used as bait or for bargaining.”
Rakel stood. “That’s not good enough. The Chosen are ruthless. They’re confident they’ve won already, and they don’t care at all for those who don’t have magic. They’ll kill him.”
“It cannot be prevented, Princess,” Captain Halvor said. “If I thought we stood even a chance, I would march on Ostfold, but you are our only magic user, and you cannot counter Farrin.”
Phile studied Foedus with great nonchalance. “If only there was someone so crazily powerful, he—or she—could face him.”
Rakel pressed her lips together and gave her friend a warning look.
“What?” Phile asked, all innocence and sweetness. “We won’t be able to take Glowma back until Farrin can be dealt with.”
Rakel grit her teeth. “What if I could do it?”
Oskar stared at her.
“The wall I built? I can do more,” Rakel said.
Captain Halvor blinked. “More?”
“Much, much more.”
“Finally! She admits it.” Phile said, hopping up from her chair so she could thrust a finger in Rakel’s direction. “She’s been holding back because she didn’t want people to think she was monstrous.”
Captain Halvor frowned. “What are you yapping about?”
“She means that each time I cleared out villages and the garrison, and even when I fought Farrin, I didn’t use my magic to the fullest extent. I dared not against Farrin because it would be disastrous if he reflected it back at our forces, and during the other times it seemed…prudent to minimize my power,” Rakel acknowledged.
“But this has to be the end of that,” Phile said. “You need todrivethe soldiers away—frightened and screaming—instead of whisking them away with soft snow like they are babes in a cradle.”
Rakel threaded her fingers together. “I don’t know if I agree with that.”
Phile tilted her head and studied her with glittering eyes. “You claim you want to save your brother. Is his life really that precious?”
Rakel nodded.
“Then you’ll have to do this,” Phile flatly said. “You can’t fight half-heartedly anymore. I’ve seen you make life-sized reindeer sculptures for the children. Apply the same method, but make swords and spears of ice and fling them around.” She plopped back down in her chair and leaned forward in her eagerness, almost toppling over.
Phile’s words stung, but Rakel couldn’t deny her argument. “I don’t want to use my magic to kill,” she said.
“That doesn’t mean you can’t injure anyone,” Oskar said, rubbing his chin.
Captain Halvor spoke up. “While your morals are admirable, I am not certain we will win this fight if you do not bend in some way.”
Rakel clasped her hands together. “We’re not fighting against monsters, but other people.”
“Yes, people who have slaughtered our armies and plan to kill your brother. They’ve already maimed you,” Phile said.
“Fighting is not something to be reveled in, Princess. I would spare you the pain of it if I could,” Captain Halvor said. “But you know that the leaders of the Chosen army are evil. Some of their underlings might not be, but the actions of the armies are a loud testament to the state of their commanders’ souls. I do not wish for blood to be on your hands, but I would rather that you live to see the dawn of tomorrow than die as a martyred innocent.”
“War is a grave matter, Little Wolf,” Phile said. “This rebellion is guaranteed to cost lives. The real question is whether the lives will be those of the innocent or the tyrannical. Your magic could be the determining factor.”
“Do evenyouknow how much you can do?” Oskar asked.
Rakel studied her hands. “I can make things, but I know only architecture and animals—not weapons.”
“Oh, yes, you do,” Phile grinned. “I heard all about the statue you made and impaled with an ice sword.”
