Sacrifice (The Snow Queen #2)(23)

“I will help him,” Rakel said.

“Your time is already in high demand, Princess,” Oskar said.

“Who else is there?” she asked. “I have knowledge of architecture and experience in sculpting.”

Crow drew closer to the fire. “I still think you all are worrying over nothing.”

“Why are you still here?” Oskar asked.

“Nobody put me under arrest again when we got back,” Crow said.

Snorri said something.

“What was that, Mumbler?” Oskar asked.

“General Halvor was distracted,” Snorri attested.

“Indeed,” Oskar agreed.

“He wanted to start making up plans for attacking Chosen forces,” Phile said.

“Oskar, will you explain to him about Kai?” Rakel asked.

“Of course—do you not wish to do it yourself?” Oskar asked.

“I do, but I was speaking with Steinar when Gerta searched me out. I would like to see if I can salvage the conversation.”

“He let you into his rooms, I saw,” Oskar said. “Do you think you’ve gotten through to him?”

“I don’t know,” Rakel said honestly. “But I will keep trying.”

Crow plopped down in the seat Gerta had abandoned. “You all are the strangest folk I’ve ever seen.”

“No one asked you, pigeon,” Oskar said.

Crow squawked in anger as Rakel made her exit.

Phile trotted after her. “Wait, I’ll come with you.”

“Please be aware, Phile, that if you open your mouth to make an observation on Steinar’s handsome appearance while I try to speak to him, I will bury Foedus in a block of ice so cold it won’t melt out until the end of summer,” Rakel said.

“No worries there,” Phile said. “Steinar is handsome, but he resembles you too much. It feels horridly awkward trying to appraise his looks when all I can think of is that he could pass for your sister if I conned him into wearing a dress.”

“I think I understand why we are such good friends,” Rakel said as they turned a corner.

“Because you also think he would look fetching in a Bunad?”

“No. You make me feel normal—a colossal accomplishment, given what I am.”

“And so my legend grows! The next step will be to open a guild of some sort.”

“Are you still babbling about that?”

“I found Pordis and her merchant empire inspiring.”

“You have never struck me as being an honest tradeswoman.”

“Who says I have to create an honest guild? There’s an awful lot of things we could steal from kings—not Steinar of course. I would split the profits with you.” Phile slung her arm over Rakel’s shoulder.

“I emphatically refuse. Having a thief as my closest companion is bad enough.”

“I’m your closest companion? You’re too sweet! Now, about your brother and that Bunad.”

“Phile!”





CHAPTER 6

STRATEGIES & SIBLINGS



“With Tenebris’s arrival, the dynamics of our battle will change drastically,” General Halvor said.

Rakel glanced around the room, smiling when her eyes lingered on Steinar sitting next to her. It was a miracle that he agreed to attend the war council. Maybe he finally understands…

“I am unfortunately ignorant of the events that occurred when the Chosen first invaded, due to my assignment at the time.” General Halvor uncomfortably cleared his throat. He glanced at Rakel, then stared down at his hands in shame. “However,” he continued after a moment, “I have since gathered information and spoken to those who are knowledgeable. And we have recently found two eyewitnesses from one of the first battles against the Chosen—the Battle of Gaula. Tenebris’s use of magic in that battle made it possible for the Chosen to sweep north and capture territory—until Farrin Graydim and his regiment encountered the princess—as most Verglas soldiers were slaughtered or taken captive.”

General Halvor gestured to Crow and a weary-looking Verglas soldier who stood behind him. “In order to be prepared for what we will soon face, I asked them to give their account of the battle.”

General Halvor stepped aside and motioned for the two men to draw forward and address the council.

This meeting was being held in the royal library—one of the few rooms that hadn’t been damaged in the initial invasion. It was a little awkward, as quite a large group had gathered—including Rakel’s usual retinue, many of the magic users, and a fair number of Halvor’s officers. Some were forced to sit on stools or stand, but an underlying anticipation had the room in a buzz.

We’re an actual force to be reckoned with now. It’s not just hit-and-run fighting and reclaiming territory. It is likely we’ll march for an actual battle. The prospect frightened Rakel, but she was encouraged at the same time.

“Greetings, chaps!” Crow said with a cheeky grin. “I’m your friendly prisoner, Cronius Winderbag—ex-mercenary of the Third Regiment in the Chosen Army. It’s a pleasure to be here!”

The Verglas soldier standing with him was, in contrast, as emotional as a boulder. “Ensign Topi,” he muttered.