Sacrifice (The Snow Queen #2)(40)

As if sensing her troubling thoughts, Steinar straightened and smiled. “Come. The hour is late, and we need to sleep.”

“Very well. Thank you, brother.” She squeezed his arm.

“It is my pleasure, Rakel.”





CHAPTER 9





VOWS TO VERGLAS


Phile dropped from the sky like an owl and grunted when she landed on the snowy ground. “You called it, General. The Chosen troops began marching when we pulled out of Tana. If they continue on their current course, we will meet them in the valley between the Lowland Hills.”

General Halvor adjusted his grip on the reins of his mountain pony. “Excellent work. And Snorri?”

“Following up to make sure they stay on course. He’ll make the signal—though I don’t think we’ll miss ’em.” Phile glanced at Rakel, who was crouched on the ground rubbing snow between her fingers. “What’s wrong?”

“The temperature. It’s above freezing; the snow is starting to melt,” Rakel said. “I’ll have to lower the temperature.”

“Will that overtax you?” Oskar asked.

“No.” Rakel watched the Verglas army as the wind picked up. “It will be particularly easy with the hills on either side, isolating the wind.”

Though they were called the Lowland Hills, in truth, they were cliffs—nearly sheer cliffs with a large valley stretched between them.

“Very well. We will continue on this route.” General Halvor turned his pony to the front of the army. “Move out!”

Rakel managed to scramble on top of Frigid. He snorted, but he was less skittish than the reindeer pulling the supply sleighs. Rakel patted his furry neck and muttered, “Me, too.”

In spite of all her brave words to Phile, Steinar, and the rest, she was apprehensive. What if I’ve overestimated Farrin’s feelings for me? What if he doesn’t care about Tenebris’s actions? Rakel shifted on her blanket saddle, moving side to side with Frigid’s swaying walk. What if Tenebris was not using his full strength against my counter attack during the surprise ambush, and he is much stronger than I?

“Chin up, Princess,” Oskar said.

Rakel shook her head, clearing her mind of her grim thoughts. “I apologize, what did you say?”

Oskar was in one of the sleighs instead of on a pony. Though he had to look up at her, a knowing edge glittered in his eyes. “You are doubting yourself. Don’t.”

“I think it would be natural. I promised a great deal,” Rakel said.

“Stop worrying. If any mortal can pull off this battle, it’s you,” Oskar said.

Rakel glanced at Phile—who carried Farrin’s sword, wrapped and disguised. “I hope so. If I can’t, I might ruin us all.”

Oskar’s smile was as timeless and knowing as the snow-covered mountains. “You are the Snow Queen, Rakel. Have faith, and step forward.” He gestured at the valley. Verglas troops poured in one end; the Chosen oozed from the opposite direction.

Grateful for the chance to set her musings aside, Rakel drew her shoulders back and tugged on her magic. It sensed her fear, for it doused her like an avalanche. Rakel scowled and tilted her head back, taking control of her powers. It softened under her hands, and the temperature began to fall. She closed her eyes and felt for the ice structures she had made the previous night. They were standing—though she couldn’t tell if the resistance fighters were behind them or not. At the moment, the walls were covered with caps of snow, hiding the resistance troops in darkened caves.

Rakel dismounted Frigid and started walking with Oskar to the front lines. It took several minutes to reach the magic users stationed in front.

“Archers, on my mark,” Halvor shouted as he rode past. A Verglas soldier—Knut probably—blew a haunting note on a ram’s horn.

From the Chosen side came a drumbeat that throbbed like the heartbeat of a monster. It made Rakel’s stomach churn.

Eydìs held a hand to her chest. “They have so many more soldiers.” Dismay clawed at her voice.

“Stand strong, partner.” Frodi removed his gloves and snapped his fingers, cradling tongues of fire in his palms. “We’ll get through this.”

Eydìs nodded, though the creases on her face spoke of worry. “Good luck, Princess. We’ll hold them off.” She smiled.

“Thank you. Phile, which regiment are we facing?” Rakel asked as General Halvor stopped his mount by her.

Phile joined them. “The third, Kavon’s—like Halvor predicted. I think almost all of Farrin’s magic users are present, but none of the mercenaries under him are. It’s all Kavon’s forces, and a few squads of troops Tenebris brought with himself.” She rubbed her mitten-covered hands together and gave Rakel a reproachful look. “Do you have to make it this cold? Give it a few more minutes, and I won’t be able to feel my nose.”

Rakel eased off on her powers. “Sorry.”

“Everyone is in position,” General Halvor said. “We are ready.”

“Do we let them strike first?” Oskar asked.

“No. I want to use our archers as our first attack, but we will make them come to us,” Halvor said. “Princess?”

Rakel scanned the troops. “You are certain Steinar will remain in back?” She had argued strenuously against his presence, but Steinar had been insistent.