Phile got halfway across the room before Oskar and Captain Halvor filled the doorway.
“Princess, I’m glad to see you are looking so well,” Oskar said with a dazzling smile.
Captain Halvor glared at Phile, who meekly planted herself on the wall. “How do you feel?” he asked, gingerly standing still so Kai—carrying a wooden tray piled with food—could maneuver around him.
Rakel pushed one of her blankets down and took the tray from Kai, smiling at him in thanks. “Fine. You were right. Falling unconscious after using great amounts of my magic appears to be my price,” she said, working hard to keep a scowl off her face.
Captain Halvor nodded. “I guessed as much when it took longer for you to awaken. It seems that the more power you use, the longer you are unconscious.”
Just wonderful, a price that plays on my fear of being caught unaware—though I expect many would think it’s a soft price compared to the power it gives me.Instead of voicing her complaints, she opted to change the topic. “How is Glowma?”
“Filled with celebrations—you’ll be expected to attend your fair share, of course,” Oskar said.
“The battle went as well as we could have hoped for. Although, it would have been ideal if we had retained control over themages,” Captain Halvor growled.
“Yes,” Oskar said, giving Phile a scowl of displeasure.
The Robber Maiden had her back to a wall and was smiling like an innocent child. Gerta and Kai stood with her, watching the exchange with interest.
“Any sign of a counter-strike?” Rakel asked.
Captain Halvor shook his head. “They had quite a few losses from the alleyway skirmishes and fights. Most of them were injured, and they left without any sort of gear or medical help. They’ll have to return to a larger outpost to regroup.”
“The gates have already been repaired—an easy job as you merely destroyed the hinges. Tollak laid some magic on the gates to make them stronger and fire resistant,” Oskar added.
“And our soldiers?” Rakel asked.
“We had some losses,” Captain Halvor acknowledged.
“Having Liv in our ranks, however, has significantly cut down on our injury-related deaths,” Oskar said, referring to the only other female magic user. Her specialty was purification—of water, wounds, food, and the like.
Rakel smiled. “I am happy to hear that.”
Oskar snapped a nod. “As we all are. Are you strong enough to get up?”
“She hasn’t eaten yet!” Gerta said.
Oskar smiled at her. “Ahh, yes, how rude of me—little Gerta is correct. You must eat first.”
Rakel self-consciously glanced at her tray of food. “I imagine I’ll be able to get up shortly.”
“Excellent. A seamstress has been altering one of your dresses so it is more appropriate for a celebration. She would like for you to try it on so she can see what else it requires.”
Rakel frowned. “Is that necessary?”
“The dress or the celebrations?”
“Both.”
“Yes, they are necessary, Princess,” Oskar said. “The citizens of Glowma have been clamoring to see you, and there will be important people among the guests. You will enjoy the parties—I promise.”
“What about our plans for marching to Ostfold?”
“Snorri is already traveling there to scout out the situation,” Captain Halvor said.
“Good.”
“In the meantime,yourmain concern should be interacting with your new supporters, while your old ones recover,” Oskar said.
