“Iamnota coward!”
I made a face that said, “Then what are you?”
“It’s just…I cannot enter the Land of Silch on my own, all right.”
My foot tapped. “Why do you keep saying that?”
“Because—because King Ryvar would…execute me. He’d probably shove me into one of his traps, then watch me plummet down the stony tunnel until my body shatters at the bottom of the icy floor. Poetic, don’t you think? Me, an Ice Fae, dying shattered against ice, my Elem—”
“Execute you? Why? And what happens if you enter the Land of Ice with someone?”
“Not just someone.”
“What do you mean? Why are you really here, Marshen?”
“Delia, I—I wasn’t sent here on some heroic mission. Well, in truth, I was sent here to search for Ilman survivors, but it wasn’t like that. Everyone laughed at me when the order was given. They all knew very well that Silchan shifters had already searched every corner of Ilma, even this island. Birds flew over it but saw nothing.” His words reminded me of Eldric. I wondered if he, too, was one of them. Probably. “The quest was Aegir’s idea. He convinced his brother to trade my execution order in exchange for a fool’s errand. He managed to spare my life, or maybe just extend it. But before I reluctantly left Nivaria, Aegir made sure to tell me that I owed him a favour.”
Of course he did.
“King Ryvar’s words were something like this:Return to Silch with a Nymph or a Water Wielder and your execution order will be levied. I was sent as an outcast on a hopeless mission.”
“Well, it doesn’t seem that hopeless to me. You found what he asked you to, did you not?”
“Do you truly believe those caves exist?”
“I do. I read about them before, and you saw the map yourself. Marsh, I’m from Ramel, raised by Sand Priestesses who passionately taught us about the history and geography of our Land. And those caves were more than once mentioned. They have to be real. I have to believe they exist.” We looked ateach other in silence, his face expressing consideration. Then I said, “I’ve never seen the tunnel death traps you claim your Ice King has built, but I believe they are real, because Ibelieveyou. My only fear is getting a surprise visit from the Phoenix. But I’m hoping that he’s long gone by now.”
“Do you think any of them will agree to sail with us? Blake wanted to come.”
“We’ll ask them, but Blake is out of the question. Alma doesn’t know if her husband still lives, and I can’t bear to let her carry that same fear for her son.”
“I—you’re right…I agree. Listen, Delia, I can always go look for the caves by myself, then return here to get you and some others. Or maybe I should just swim back to Ilma’s mainland and go to Ramel, to find Aegir. He is in Sharlam, right?”
“No, that would be too dangerous. The Naaris must be scouting for us. And besides, you don’t believe enough, you wouldn’t be able to find them. Just pack everything. I have a better idea.”
CHAPTER 49
The following morning, we stood in front of five hundred and seventy-two Nerithians. Alma’s voice was loud and strong as she explained to her people that there was another possible way—hope. Her words set off an asynchronous mixture of people crying, cheering, mumbling, and swearing. Others just shook their heads and went on with whatever they were doing.
I respected Marshen’s request not to tell anyone about his execution order. So instead, we asked for this early public meeting to both explain our intentions and subtly persuade them. Yet despite my wholehearted and practiced speech, none volunteered to sail with us into the uncertain. Marshen was right, hope had repeatedly let these people down, leaving them demoralised and wary. I couldn’t blame them. But in desperation, I all but begged, asking them to join us so that they would serve as proof for King Ryvar.
I only made things worse.
Marshen and I found ourselves in front of a total of four people—Alma, Blake, and the two craftsmen.
“I’m sorry, Marsh, it looks like it’s going to be just you and me.”
“I still can’t understand why I can’t come,” Blake complained, but my stare remained on Marshen. The apprehensive look I gave him came with unspoken words.I hope that King Ryvar will render my presence just as acceptable. But the blabbermouth blabbered.
“I’m sure Lord Aegir’s lady will do just fine.” He even had the audacity to wink at me. I wanted to slice his throat open as I felt Alma stiffen at my side. Blake, too, fixed his eyes on me.
I shifted my gaze towards Ronn and Fenric—the craftsmen. “Did you get what I asked?”
They nodded. “We did,” Fenric assured me.
“Good. Let’s go.”
Blake reluctantly waved at us as we started our journey south.
