Heart of Ice (The Snow Queen #1)(48)
Rakel forced a shaky smile. “They came forward on my behalf—sacrificed their anonymity—so I would not have to fight alone. Please, do not reject them because of their magic. It is such a small thing when compared to the strength of their character.” Her smile grew steadier and more real as she looked at the self-confessed magic users.
Unnr’s face would have been more pleasant if she had swallowed a skunk, but other villagers were nodding thoughtfully. Several of Captain Halvor’s squad stood with Snorri in a move of solidarity and slapped him on the back, and others moved from the crowd to stand with their companions.
The newly outed magic users all introduced themselves to Rakel. Besides Snorri, the other soldiers were named Frodi, the youngest and most hot-headed; Tollak, about Oskar’s age and unflappable; and Ragnar, the oldest and kindest. The sole female magic user was a quiet but sweet-tempered woman named Liv.
Rakel exhaled as the conversation eased. While a few still eyed the quintet with dislike, most of those present returned to chatting and laughing—children even pushed forward, eager to meet the new magic users and hear of their powers.
“Well done, Princess,” Oskar said.
Rakel winced. “I don’t know how to act in these situations.”
“You did fine,” Captain Halvor said. “I appreciate what you said on behalf of Snorri.”
“You knew?” Rakel asked.
Captain Halvor hesitated. “Guessed,” he finally admitted. “I’ve had several soldiers under my command who possess magic.”
“That’s why you know so much about it? Not because you were forewarned about me?”
“I researched it for my men, yes. It’s also why I requested the post on Ensom Peak.”
“I don’t understand,” Rakel said.
“It was easier for the soldiers with magic to hide in such an area and establish a camaraderie with their squad. There was little to do, and they saw few people, making discovery unlikely.”
“And you felt if the other soldiers knew them, they would be less likely to turn on them if their powers were discovered?”
Captain Halvor gestured to the squad standing with Snorri. “You think I am wrong?”
“No. It’s the same reasoning I used,” Rakel admitted. A smile tugged at one corner of her mouth, giving her a sly edge.
“You’re thinking something cunning, I can tell.” Oskar said, joining them.
“I bet it’s brilliant. I love cunning—especially in plans and men,” Phile said, throwing an arm across Rakel’s shoulders.
“I was just thinking that with five additional magic users, our success at Glowma is assured.”
“We don’t know if their powers will be at all helpful in warfare, Princess,” Captain Halvor said.
“Of course they are, or they wouldn’t have come forward. And four of them are soldiers for a reason. They did say they thought it was wrong to make me fight alone.” Rakel was almost purring in delight. I don’t relish the idea of facing Graydim again, but I will not allow him to stop us. I am going to save my brother, even if I have to fight Farrin alone!
CHAPTER 13
THE FIGHT FOR GLOWMA
“You’re not going to fight Farrin, remember that,” Oskar said. “The other magic users will keep him occupied while you fight with the rest of us.”
Rakel nodded, too ill to respond verbally. Though she had decided she would risk facing Farrin again if it meant she could reach Steinar in time to save him, now that the moment had arrived, her entire being protested drawing any closer.
Her complete and thorough defeat at his hands had shaken her more than she thought.
“Are you well, Little Wolf?” Phile asked, balancing Foedus on her fingertip.
“Well enough,” Rakel said, growing green with dread. She inhaled and stared at Glowma. It was silent and shut tightly. According to Snorri—who had been lingering around the walls of the city since dawn, using his magic to blend in with the shadows—the city had closed up approximately twenty minutes prior to their arrival.
“At least they can’t shoot down at us,” Oskar said. “Glowma has walls to keep out wild animals, so there are no wall-walks for archers.”
“Princess?” Captain Halvor said, studying her with piercing eyes.
Rakel tore her gaze from the city.
“We await your command.”
Rakel nodded. Though she dreaded seeing Farrin again, using her magic’s full potential made her almost as nervous. To free the country, to free Steinar, I will do it.
She left the shadows of the trees and approached Glowma, drawing closer to the silent city. Troops moved into place behind her, and they organized themselves just outside the biggest city gate.
Rakel brushed the door, and it frosted over as ice flooded the cracks. The wood groaned as she pushed more of her powers into the door, until the ice made the wood buckle.
As the door froze further, she leaned close and listened—able to hear officers of the Chosen shouting to their soldiers. Rakel retreated several feet away and waited as the door continued to crack ominously—though it was nowhere near falling down.
When she estimated there was a sizable crowd lined up behind the gate, she slammed the wooden doors with a glacier—tearing them from their hinges. She kept pushing so the glacier surged forward, shoving the door down the city road, plowing through the troops organized there.