“How do you know this?” Snorri asked.
“Because he told me,” Rakel said.
“You know,” Phile said, tapping her nose. “I think I have an idea how we can attack the east side—should Little Wolf be willing.”
“Sing out, Robber Maiden,” Oskar chuckled. “It can’t be any stranger than purified water turning into ice!”
Phile grinned and almost fell out of her chair as she leaned forward with eagerness. “Just wait,” she promised.
Rakel turned half an ear to Phile’s plan and mentally congratulated herself.I knewthere was a way for me to beat him. I can’t wait for a rematch—I’m finally going to beat Farrin Graydim!
Standingat the foot of a mountain, Rakel felt at home. The air was cooler and the snow much heavier—perfect for what she wanted.
She exhaled and leaned against her reindeer. He bumped her as he lowered his head to scratch his leg but did not seem to mind the contact.
“Can you do it?” Phile called as she approached, her hands shoved in a fur muff she had liberated from Rakel’s belongings.
“There’s ample snow,” Rakel said. “I’ve been moving it since we arrived two days ago. Guiding it down and turning it into ice will be the difficult part of your plan. Have the rest of the soldiers arrived?”
“Yes, and they’re in place. We’re on schedule for tomorrow’s attack,” Phile said, glancing up at the mountain range that framed the northern parts of Verglas. The mountain nearest to them rumbled, and a cascade of snow slid from the peak. “You’re being discreet.”
“Even if they don’t have another ice magic user, I suspect they would notice when some of the surrounding mountains dump snow that does not turn into an avalanche.” Rakel turned to another mountain and wriggled her fingers. Even though it was miles away, the snow responded and fell from the mountain like sparkling, wintery falls.
“Are you sure you want to ridehiminto battle?” Phile asked, nodding at the reindeer. “I know I gave him to you, and Isaidyou should take him to war, but he’s still barely trained.”
“He’ll do better than a horse,” Rakel said, scratching the reindeer’s forehead. “I’m thinking about naming him Frigid.”
“It suits him,” Phile grunted.
“He’s not bad, just unaffectionate,” Rakel said.
The newly named Frigid waggled his reindeer tail and nibbled a stick.
“I’ll take a horse any day, but I’m glad you like him. It was hellish trying to capture him for you.”
“Princess, Phile, I wondered where you two had gone. Enjoying the view?” Oskar asked, gesturing to the Verglas royal palace and Ostfold, which were settled in the crook of the valley. The capital was sprawled like a child’s playset with little puffs of smoke curling from the wooden cottages and homes. Although Ostfold had not suffered major damages, the palace had taken the brunt of the harm when the Chosen had taken the capital. Some of the walls were toppled, anything made of wood was blackened from fire, and one of the wings had been destroyed.
“The city looks sweet, but the palace has seen better days. Still, even if it was in pristine condition, I wouldn’t ever want to live there,” Phile said, shoving her hands deeper in the muff.
Oskar raised his eyebrows. “You wouldn’t want to live in a palace?”
“All penned-up and boxed-up? Nope. Give me open plains and open spaces—it’s why I admire Verglas. You’ve got untamed land stretching between cities—wild, but not deadly. Not like the Baris desert,” Phile said.
“I see,” Oskar said. “Phile, would you excuse the princess and me for a moment?”
Phile looked to Rakel, who nodded. “It’s fine, thank you.”
“Anything for you, Little Wolf. Enjoy your conversation—I think I’ll go ogle General Halvor for a bit.” Phile started towards one of the encampments tucked in a copse of trees, whistling a tune as she walked.
“Sir Reindeer,” Oskar said, bowing at Frigid.
“I’ve decided to name him Frigid.”
“Not Hugs…or Velvet? I thought females named their pets more cutely,” Oskar said, thrusting his gloved hands into the folds of his cloak.
Rakel smiled but did not take the bait. “What did you wish to discuss?”
He was quiet for a few minutes as he stared down at Ostfold. Dusk was starting to fall, and one by one, tiny windows in the houses and palace were lit from within by fires, candles, and oil lamps. “I wanted to be certain that you are comfortable with tomorrow’s attack—and what winning will mean. Halvor assumes that because you agreed to it, it means youwantto do it. I know better.”
