Heart of Ice (The Snow Queen #1)(17)

Rakel twirled her fingers, chipping away at the ice enclosing the Verglas soldiers in the lean-tos as she studied the unusual girl. Nothing about Phile made her wary, but she found it hard to believe the skilled fighter just happened to find her. “And why should I trust you?”

Phile folded her arms and twirled her oddly shaped dagger in spite of her thick mittens. “I thought you might ask that, so I gathered a token when I visited Ostfold. You see, I came to Verglas because of you.”

Rakel blinked. “Pardon?”

“Well, that’s not the whole truth. I never much cared for countries invading other countries, so I came to bother the Chosen troops a bit, but then I intercepted a communication from one officer to another. They were requesting additional troops to come north because they suspected they would soon be facing you—the famed Princess of Isolation and the Monarch of Winter, Princess Rakel,” she said as she started digging through her coat.

“I was isolated because of my magic. I hardly think that would make you want to meet me.”

“It did, actually.”

“You don’t fear me?”

“Why would I? Back in Baris, Six-toed Ori can hit the center of a target, blindfolded. My mother can jump from three stories and land without breaking a bone or slowing down. How is that any different from manipulating snow?”

Rakel was about to open her mouth to tell her exactly how different it was when Phile slipped something shiny out of her jacket.

“Here you go. Here is my token of loyalty,” she said, handing the object over.

Rakel stared at the mirror shard, which was as big as her thumb and dagger sharp. “What is this?”

“I don’t know, but whatever it is, it’s important. The leader of the Chosen forces—Tenebris—and three of his underlings each have one…or had one. I swiped this one from the illusionist, Kavon,” Phile said.

“It’s magic based,” Rakel said, holding the shard in her hand and feeling the slippery, oily presence of another power. The surface was too warped to study, and the shard was too small to use for anything magic related, but Rakel could feel the pulse of a foreign magic.

“Yes,” Phile acknowledged. “But it seems to be more of sentimental value than useful. I followed Kavon around for two days to confirm he never used it for anything. In any case, I thought it might help you learn why the Chosen are attacking Verglas.”

Rakel raised her eyebrows. “You don’t think they’re here to take over the country?” she asked, her estimation of the young woman rising.

“It’s a flimsy cover of an excuse.” Phile shook her head. “There are countries much riper for the plucking than Verglas. They’re here for a concrete reason, not for wish-fulfillment.”

Rakel narrowed her eyes and studied the Robber Maiden, tapping her ice powers. They cleared her mind with a crisp gush. Oskar and Captain Halvor can decide if she is trustworthy. Although, I do not think she will harm me. “I agree,” Rakel said as she removed the last bits of ice blocking the lean-tos. “Would you mind telling your findings to the head of my guards?”

Phile tossed Foedus in the air and caught it. “Not at all.”

“Excellent. I suspect he will be along shortly.”

The freed soldiers peeked out of the lean-tos, their nerves and unease clear in the way they eyed Rakel.

Rakel fixed her posture and addressed them. “I am Princess Rakel—daughter of King Ingolfr and his Queen Runa, sister of King Steinar. You have been freed, but the battle for Verglas has just begun. Captain Halvor will arrive soon, and he will see to your needs.”

Phile strolled up to the nearest bunch of soldiers. She cocked her head and twirled her ugly dagger. “No cheering or celebrations?”

The Verglas soldiers murmured to one another.

“Not even a bow?” Phile asked.

No one moved.

“Ingrates,” Phile pronounced.

A lean-to groaned and creaked a warning as it started to collapse.

“Look out!” Rakel shouted, throwing her arms out in front of her. Her ice magic roared, and a thick shell formed—sheltering the soldiers as the lean-to caved in.

When the last board fell, the freed soldiers ducked out of their icy shelter.

Rakel cringed—she had been hoping to avoid them seeing much evidence of her magic.

The soldiers, surprisingly, did not puff up in anger or fear. Instead, they solemnly stared at her, making her uncomfortable.

Phile approached Rakel and slapped her on the back. “Good show.”

“Princess.”

Rakel’s shoulders almost slumped with relief. “Captain Halvor, please…deal with your new recruits.”

“Certainly.” Although the captain agreed, he planted himself by Rakel and eyed Phile.

“Ah, this is Phile Silver-Step.”

“The Robber Maiden,” Phile added.

“Phile, this is my advisor, and—for all general purposes—the leader of whatever troops I am with: Captain Halvor.”

Captain Halvor bowed.

“I like this one,” Phile said, looking the gruff soldier up and down.

“Is Oskar coming?” Rakel asked.

“With the Fyran villagers, yes,” Captain Halvor said.

“Excellent. Let me know when you want to see the captives.”