Heart of Ice (The Snow Queen #1)(47)

“It’s something to keep in mind,” Captain Halvor said. “Particularly if we are to try to march against Glowma.”

“We are,” Rakel said, iron in her voice.

“Perhaps,” Oskar said, “but even with the revelation of your powers, we cannot attempt to take back Ostfold in time to save—” Someone knocked at the door. “Are we expecting company?” he asked.

Captain Halvor gripped the hilt of his sword. “No,” he said as he moved to the door. He opened it, revealing Snorri with a middle-aged woman and three soldiers standing behind him.

Snorri saluted and stood in the doorway. “Sir, we wish to have an audience with you and Princess Rakel, outside,” he said, more articulate than usual.

“Now?” Captain Halvor asked.

“It’s important, sir.”

Captain Halvor turned to appeal to Rakel, but she was already standing. “It’s fine, Captain. Snorri was the reason Phile found the information about yesterday’s march against our encampment.”

“Don’t undermine my work,” Phile complained. She nudged Snorri aside and led the way out of the room.

Oskar, however, was not quite so forgiving—probably because Snorri was one of the soldiers to secure him during the previous night. “What is it, Snorri?” he asked, his voice like the howling wind of a winter storm as they gathered in the middle of the road.

Snorri—and the woman and soldiers—bowed at the waist. “We would like to offer our services to you, Princess Rakel.”

“Are you sure you want to talk out in the open?” Phile asked as she inspected the bustling outpost.

Rakel ignored her friend. “You have already served me well, Snorri.”

“As magic users,” Snorri said.

Rakel blinked. “What?”

“As magic users,” Snorri said, his voice surprisingly loud and clear.

Previously, villagers and soldiers alike were moving about their business, not giving much attention to Rakel and her companions. With this confession, however, many stopped and stared, and others gathered around.

“The five of you can use magic?” Rakel asked, looking past him to the three soldiers and the woman.

All of them bowed again. “We beg forgiveness for our deceit, Princess,” a soldier said.

“And our silence—and failure to step forward,” another said.

“It is our dishonor,” the woman said.

“Why come forward now?” Oskar asked. The cold edge to his voice was replaced with cautious curiosity.

“Yesterday’s battle, sir,” Snorri said.

“The princess faced four magic users at once and made a path for our escape. She should not be forced to bear such a heavy burden alone,” the last soldier said.

A flurry of whispers tore through the camp. Villagers gasped; soldiers stared at their comrades-in-arms in shock, and some edged away.

Watching the reaction, Rakel understood two things: First, the woman and the soldiers must have been hiding their magic since birth, for it was apparent that no one knew of their abilities. Secondly, they were entering a state of social rejection for her sake. A powerful magic-using princess might be allowed, but these five magic users did not have the clout of the royal name to hide behind. When this was over, they would have to start over, for who would befriend them? Moreover, they were declaring this in front of others. Everyone would know about their magic.

Rakel’s throat ached as she studied the newly revealed magic users. I don’t deserve this kind of loyalty.

The whispers of the crowd increased, and soldiers and villagers who hadn’t been close enough to hear the announcement were drawn in and informed of the unsettling news by other observers.

“Troll.” Sour-faced Unnr spat at the lone woman, who cowered.

This cannot be allowed. “Enough!” she shouted.

The crowd grew silent and turned their attention to her.

Rakel grasped for words—ideas that she didn’t know how to express. She combed the unkind audience and caught sight of a familiar face. “Knut. Come here.”

The soldier hastily left the crowd and hurried up to her, bowing. “Yes, Princess.”

“Describe Snorri’s person, if you would.”

Knut scratched his neck and squinted at her. “Princess?”

“What kind of man is he?”

“Quiet…and a little hard to understand. He keeps to himself a lot,” Knut said, slow to start. He gave his fellow guard a nervous look, but as he spoke, he grew more confident. “But he’s good at what he does.”

“Has he ever wronged you or acted against the best interest of the country?” Rakel asked.

“No, Princess. Never. He saved my life just a few days ago on a scouting trip against the Chosen. They almost found me, but he distracted them and drew their attention away.”

“Snorri is an honorable, dutiful soldier—would you agree?”

“Yes, Princess,” he said solemnly.

“Thank you, Knut. That is all.”

She stepped away from Knut and addressed the crowd. “You know these people. They have fought and lived at your side. Whether or not they have magic doesn’t change their character or their past actions.”

She studied her audience.

Phile cleared her throat. When she caught Rakel’s eye, she smiled and pointed to her lips.