White Stag (Permafrost #1)(87)
“I can hear them,” Seppo said. “It’s only just begun. They’re not throwing enough power yet for you to hear anything. The broken bond will probably make it harder. Besides, you’re so powerful yourself, bond or not, you might not even notice.”
I bit my lip, uncomfortable with the gaze the young halfling was giving me. “You act like I’m more powerful than you are, Seppo.”
Seppo didn’t look up from his path. “You are.”
“That’s not possible,” I said. “I’m a baby compared to you. The only goblin I’ve met who was younger than me on this hunt was Rekke. And then, not by much, and she still should’ve been in the nursery.”
He shook his head. “Only in age. I’m five hundred and twenty this year. I’m the equivalent of a human your age, almost. But you’re still more powerful than I am. It’s not just Soren who is above me; you are too. It’s almost humiliating; a human being more powerful than me. But I suppose I never really cared about power until you showed up.”
I looked away from him, guilt sinking my stomach down. “I’m sorry if I make you feel worthless.”
He shrugged. “Not worthless. Just … like I’ve wasted time. This hunt was never serious for me, not like it was for Soren, but…”
“But what?” We were almost a mile out, almost time to put our plan into action.
As the dawn came closer the thunderlike sound of clashing powers shook the sky. They were fighting. All around me I felt Soren’s essence, like he was embracing me still, even now.
“If I live through this and Soren becomes Erlking, you better believe I’m going to negotiate to keep more of my power. Five hundred years to realize how serious it is.” He snorted. “The baby figured it out before me. Typical.”
“I’ll convince him, if you can’t,” I said, glancing at the sky. “Do you think it’s almost time?”
Seppo looked and nodded. “If what I’ve read is correct, a goblin’s power peaks on the threshold between night and day—the witching hour. If the stag is going to come, it’ll come then.”
Breki followed Hreppir and Lykka’s trail through the forest. They crept silently, weaving through the forest in hunting crouches. Breki’s breath was heavy in his chest, but when I asked if he was all right, he only said one word: “anticipation.” Whatever happened tonight didn’t just affect goblins, but the Permafrost as a whole. My hands shook and I clenched them into tight fists. It was all the more reason not to fail.
Seppo slowed Hreppir to a stop when we were a mile out and climbed off. I followed his lead as he explained how to rig the bags to the wolves so they would leave a trail of ash and iron behind them. He motioned for Breki and Lykka, the wolves chosen for the task. “Each of you complete half of a circle, from where we’re standing now. When you’re done with your half, cover the other’s trail again. Then get out of there before the fire is lit.”
Breki nodded his large dark head and Lykka huffed in response. Seppo grimaced, and I imagined the she-wolf was telling him exactly how she felt about being ordered around. Hreppir nudged Seppo, pressing his cold nose into the halfling’s ear. Seppo rubbed the young wolf between his ears. “I hope this won’t be the last time we see each other either. Stay safe, keep out of the way. We don’t want Skadi getting angry.”
Hreppir snorted but nodded his big head.
“Let’s do this, then,” I said, and the wolves took off.
Seppo reached for the feather staff strapped to his back as if he was making sure it was still there. “All right, we should try to get as close to the fight as possible without being seen.”
I nodded, reaching out my senses. By now the forest floor shook from the battling goblins; one second Lydian had the upper edge, then Soren. In the background of it all, hooves beat against the solid earth like the heart in every living being’s chest.
“I can hear the stag,” I said.
Seppo paled. “I know, so can I. Let’s hurry.”
Other than the battling goblins and the stag, the forest was covered with an eerie silence. The air was empty of morning birds’ songs, the leaves were lifeless in the wind, and our own steps made no sounds against the crisp ground. I had my bow in hand, on the lookout for anyone Lydian might’ve sent to scout. So far, nothing. Perhaps he thought the broken bond had killed me or that I’d run off; perhaps he believed me when I said Seppo was dead. Either way, we were alone.
Under my feet, the soft soil turned hard and the crunch of ice replaced the quietness of my steps. We were at the border. I stretched out my senses until I located Lydian and Soren; they were to the west, still battling. The fight was so loud I scarcely heard my own thoughts. That has to be a good thing, though. It means Soren isn’t losing. No thought could calm the fear threatening to smother me. Well, then I wouldn’t think. We could do this.
It took all my self-control not to rush in when we spotted their outlines in the distance. Every cell in my body ached to run to Soren and defend his back, to make sure he was all right, but I stomped those feelings away until the urge was just a tugging in my gut and the smothering fear gave me room to breathe. Keep calm. Keep calm. Everything will be all right. It would be easier to believe if my heart weren’t racing with the speed of a thousand horses.