by K. M. Shea
Rakel itched to use her powers, but she had promised Halvor she wouldn’t move until Farrin or Tenebris did. Her magic roared in her as she watched a Chosen magic user slay a Verglas soldier. Shot with arrows like a pincushion, he kept running through the ranks like a madman—his eyes unfocused and his mouth fixed in a horrible grin.
Just when Rakel was about to reach out and encage him, Genovefa pounced, moving with her elf-speed and grace, knocking him unconscious in an instant.
“Princess,” Oskar said. “Tenebris is up to something.”
Rakel swallowed sharply when she saw the black cloud forming at the far end of the valley. Her mouth went dry. “If you’ll excuse me, Oskar.”
Oskar bowed. “Godspeed.”
Rakel tried to smile but gave up on the lost effort and trotted away. She kept to the edge of the fight so she was out of the way but able to intervene. As she watched, the black cloud slithered across the valley like a monstrous snake, making its way towards the Verglas front line. The frenzied screams from deep in the Chosen army reaffirmed Crow’s testament—Tenebris sacrificed his own soldiers to throw his deadly powers at the enemy. Merciless.
Rakel waited until the cloud stretched only a few horse lengths away from Verglas troops, then used her magic. A crystalline wall of ice jutted out of the ground, stretching high above the battlefield and extending past the reach of the black cloud. She used more than necessary—she wanted to be certain it wouldn’t get past her.
The black cloud brushed against the ice wall. Rakel yelped—she could feel the darkness snapping at her magic—making the wall frost over and carving snowflakes the size of sleighs into its surface.
The cursed magic resisted for a moment, straining to force its darkness through the white ice. The crystalline wall sang and shattered—but the black cloud disappeared.
Rakel released the breath of air she had been holding. It works. I can counter him.
A breeze picked up. She blinked, and Farrin Graydim stood in front of her, his new sword held above his head. His white scar underlined his dark eyes. Instead of his recent expression of tolerance, the sharp, relentless edge was back in his face. His lips were turned down in a barely discernible frown that, matched with his furrowed eyebrows, darkened his expression. He swung his sword down at her, and it took everything she had to keep from moving.
“I warned you I would fight you at full strength.” Farrin said. He had stopped his sword a hair’s breadth from her neck, and rested it on her collarbone. “Defend yourself.”
Rakel clenched her shaking hands into fists. “No, thank you.”
Farrin took a step closer, but the blade of his sword didn’t even nick her skin. “We have to fight, Rakel. You stand between my leader and what he wants.”
“So leave him.”
Farrin drew his shoulders back. “The Chosen took me in when I was little more than an animal and made me human. I can’t abandon them.”
“Did they really, though?” Rakel asked.
“What do you mean?”
“Does Tenebris see you as more than a leashed attack dog?” Rakel asked.
Farrin froze, his expression indiscernible.
This is where it gets dangerous. If I say the wrong thing, I could anger him. “Using your magic isn’t what makes you human or not; it’s your heart.” Rakel pointed to the Verglas troops, who were standing against the vicious battering ram of the Chosen forces. “My heart is with this land and these people, but they would never force me to do something I didn’t want, and they wouldn’t beat me like an animal for refusing them.”
Farrin’s eyes narrowed. “Your people love you because you have never slipped into the shadows and stained your hands with blood. I know your childhood is a void, Princess, but you must realize that the majority of magic users have darkness in their hearts.”
“That is a horrible excuse,” Rakel said. The wind tugged on the braid of her hair.
Farrin’s lips twisted. “You think it is an excuse? You think I take pleasure in killing? I stay with the Chosen because they accept me. You cannot tell me that after hearing of what I have done, you earnestly wish to befriend me. You are speaking with me only to occupy me so I do not harass your other magic users.”
Rakel flinched when she heard shouts. Tenebris had launched another cloud of darkness—one Rakel hadn’t noticed, so it reached the Verglas forces. The cloud disappeared, and moments later the shouting stopped. Liv. Rakel smiled and returned her attention to Farrin. “You are right. My job is to stop you and counter Tenebris, but that doesn’t mean I don’t have a legitimate point. You should not stay with Tenebris.”
“There is no one else who will take me, Your Highness.”
“I will,” Rakel said. “And so will Verglas.”
Farrin stared at her. The animosity left his frame as undisguised pure shock flashed across his face. He chuckled. “That is a very poorly laid trap. You cannot want me.”
“I do.”
“Your people would revolt.”
“Not if you are my friend,” Rakel said, confidence marking her voice. She was less certain about this point, but based on the reaction of the resistance representatives, she suspected that while most would view him with suspicion, all would attribute the change to her miraculous powers—not Farrin’s strength of character. “So join us.”
“You cannot be serious.”
“I am.”
“I have killed thousands, Rakel. My hands are stained with blood.”
“That is your past. It is despicable that you encountered such pain and were forced into such horrifying acts, but it is still the past. If you want to get out of this darkness in which you have entangled yourself, you have to reach past it.”
Farrin’s eyes were lit with painful hope. “How can you trust me?”
Interesting, he does not ask why he should trust me. “Because I have seen you, Farrin Graydim—not the colonel of the Chosen Army.” I need Phile to pass off the sword. Rakel sent a catapult of snow in the air.
“I do not believe you,” Farrin said.
“Trust does seem to be a rather rare commodity among magic users,” Rakel acknowledged. “So I took the trouble to prepare a token of my confidence.”
Farrin raised an eyebrow. “A token?”
“Little Wolf, catch!” Phile shouted as she raced past on her horse. She handed off Farrin’s sword—wrapped in cloth. When Rakel took it, she almost dropped it due to its weight. She fumbled, aware that Farrin’s eyes were focused on the weapon.
Farrin flexed his fingers as Rakel freed the sword of its wrappings.
“A token,” She repeated. She held out the sword.
“What is to keep me from taking my sword and slaughtering your troops?”
“Nothing, except I know you would not do that.”
Farrin raised his gaze from the sword to Rakel. “You really want me to join you?”
“I do.”
“And will I be your leashed dog?” Farrin asked.
“You are your own man, Farrin. I trust you to do what is right.”
“And your people?”
“There is some unrest, but they are growing to accept magic users. If any of them try to limit you, I will take on the same treatment they give you,” Rakel said. Please, please let this work. For his sake, as well as for the sake of Verglas. If he returns to Tenebris, he won’t survive.
Farrin’s eyes grew warm. He brushed his sword, but instead of taking it, leaned closer to Rakel.
Ah…yes…I forgot the need to address…this. “I am aware,” Rakel said.
Farrin tilted his head. “Of?”
Rakel gulped. He was close enough that his breath fanned her white bangs. “Of how you feel about me.”
The corners of Farrin’s mouth curled up. “I wasn’t particularly trying to hide it.”
“I see,” Rakel said.
“You are rejecting me?”
Yes. “No.”
What? Yes, I am! Say yes! Rakel met his gaze and s
quared her shoulders. “But I will not lie to you and tell you I return your affection when I do not.”
Farrin studied her. “I see.”
“All I can offer you is friendship,” Rakel said. The way his eyes smoldered made her panic a little. What am I supposed to do? She felt like a cornered rabbit, but this time she knew it wasn’t danger she faced.
“Will you push me away?” Farrin asked.
Rakel frowned. “Why would I do that?”
Farrin’s smile grew wolfish.
I am in so much trouble, thought the part of her mind that sounded suspiciously like Phile.
Farrin wrapped one of his hands around the hilt of his sword. “Very well, I accept your offer—on one condition.”
“Yes?”
“That my officers and anyone from my regiment who wishes to follow me is allowed to come as well and receives the same treatment as I do.” Farrin’s eyes were back to the gray of wet rock. Combined with his crooked smile, Rakel realized that he was happy.
“Of course. As long as they conduct themselves in an honorable manner, we will welcome them,” Rakel said. He’s worried we wouldn’t accept them? Hah! Every magic user we get is a boon!
“Very well,” Farrin said. He took his two-handed broadsword from Rakel and swirled it once. “Then I pledge to you, Princess Rakel of Verglas, my sword, my body, and my heart. I am yours to command.” He planted his sword in the ground and waited for her to say something in response. The absolute sincerity in his voice made her feel uncomfortable.
She tried to ignore the ardent light in his eyes and rifled through her memory for something to say in response. Why didn’t I read more storybooks as a child? Thinking of nothing useful, she blurted out, “I accept your pledge with gratitude. I will be comrade-in-arms, and your friend, and I promise you the honor and respect you deserve.”
On an impulse, Rakel stood on her tip-toes and kissed his forehead. “Will you guard me on the battlefield and when I fall unconscious from my magic?”
“You have nothing to fear, Princess.” Farrin brushed her bangs aside. “I will stand with you from now until the end of time.”
“Rakel,” she said.
Farrin smiled with his eyes. “As you wish,” he agreed.
Together, they turned to survey the battlefield.
Soldiers from both sides had fallen. The snow of the battlefield was dyed red, and magic crackled up and down the lines. Tenebris was gathering another cloud of dark magic; Genovefa sliced through the Chosen lines like a scythe, and soldiers clashed with roars and shouts.
“First, we have to save your people,” Rakel said.
“Tenebris will try to strike them down,” Farrin said.
Rakel smiled as her magic sang in her blood. “Let him try.”
“You can overpower him?” Farrin asked.
Rakel glanced up at him. She knew she was wearing a sly smile—like Phile’s—but she couldn’t help it. Farrin had agreed! This battle will be ours! “Yes.”
“He has strength I have never seen,” Farrin warned her.
“And I have you. If you will guard me when I fall, he cannot stop us.”
A smirk spread across Farrin’s lips. He bowed his head. “You will always be safe as long as I can reach you, Rakel.”
“Then Tenebris does not stand a chance.”
They started for the battlefield, walking shoulder to shoulder. “What can I do to help?” Rakel asked.
“Use your flashy magic to gather attention, then I’ll signal them.” Farrin maneuvered so they stood on the Verglas side of the valley.
“Very well.” Rakel raised her arms, and three giant snowflakes the size of cottages formed above the Chosen army. She spun them several times and then shattered them.
Farrin pulled a silver whistle from a pocket of his uniform and blew it three times.
When the snow settled, the battlefield was silent.
Rakel knit her hands together, and though her throat squeezed, she stood—tall and proud—with Farrin.
“Tenebris,” Farrin shouted. “This has gone far enough. You must end this! We have become the very darkness you vowed to defeat.”
His words echoed in the valley.
Tenebris stood with several men and women clustered around him. He nodded, and one of them fired an arrow. Rakel gathered her magic, prepared to fling it up, but Farrin stepped in front of her and swung his sword with his speed magic.
The arrow bounced off the sword and fell to the ground.
The silence grew strained. “Is that your answer?” Tenebris asked.
“Yes,” Farrin said.
“All units, focus fire on the princess and the traitor,” Tenebris ordered. “Coat the valley with their blood!”
“First Regiment,” a gruff woman Rakel recognized as Farrin’s shapeshifter scout. “You must choose, stand with our leader…or stand with Tenebris! I know where my loyalties lie!” she shouted. She transformed into a wolf and galloped for Rakel and Farrin.
Ice crackled in Rakel’s hands as she forced herself to stare at the incoming wolf. The canine halted a few feet away from them, swung around to stare at the Chosen army, and growled, showing her teeth.
“Wait—wait for me!” Bluff scrambled across the valley, doing his best to skirt Verglas troops. “Excuse me.” he almost tripped over one gaping soldier. He would have been sent sprawling if Dryden—the baby-faced girl gifted with strength magic—hadn’t grabbed him by the neck of his cape.
“You are hopeless,” she grunted. “You can’t even abandon your post with a shred of dignity.”
Roughly twenty Chosen officers followed them, casting anxious looks at the Verglas troops as they hurried to Farrin’s side.
“Traitors!” one of the officers standing with Tenebris shouted. “You will be torn to pieces and held in disgrace for eternity!”
“We better survive this, sir,” Bunny said. It was odd—hearing a woman’s voice come from a wolf. “If the Verglas troops kill us after this, I will be furious.”
“I wouldn’t risk you all if I didn’t trust our new allies,” Farrin said. His soft edges and good humor were gone, replaced with the seriousness of an officer on the battlefield as he took inventory of his men.
General Halvor rode up on his pony. To his credit, he did not bat an eye at the magic users—an unexpected addition. “Welcome to the Verglas Army.” He glanced at Oskar as he also rode up—mounted on a Chosen horse.
“Thank you, though I fear we have raised Tenebris’s rage.” Farrin indicated the black cloud gathering on the opposite side of the valley.
Bluff bounced up and down. “What do we do, sir?”
“For now, stay separate from the Verglas troops. I do not want there to be any…accidents—with all due respect, General Halvor,” Farrin said.
General Halvor nodded.
“That won’t be necessary,” Rakel said.
Farrin and the closest magic users turned to stare at her, but General Halvor scowled at her over their heads.
“I think it is time for you to witness how those with power are supposed to conduct themselves. Stay here. You will not have to fight.” Rakel moved for the front lines.
“Princess—” General Halvor started.
Oskar cut him off. “Are you certain about this, Princess?”
Rakel watched the black cloud across the valley swell and grow. “Farrin will guard you when I am unable.”
“It is still an unnecessary risk,” General Halvor said.
“It’s not.” Rakel smiled at the general. “But it is sweet of you to seek a way to spare me of this. Thank you, Halvor, Oskar.” She continued for the front lines, activating chunks of her magic. The wind picked up, ripping some of her hair from its braid, and Tenebris’s magic users attacked Verglas soldiers.
Farrin followed her like a shadow. “What are you going to do?”
“I’m going to stop Tenebris from turning this into a blood bath,” Rakel said.
“And your men are concerned?”
“Because of what might happen when I’m comatose.” Rakel offered him a quick smile. “I’m entrusting them to you—and they are everything I hold dear.”
“We’ll be fine. But do you really think you can face that?” he nodded his head in Tenebris’s direction.
The cloud crawled in their direction like a sickened creature. It spread like a disease as it moved—widening and expanding. It rolled over Chosen forces, making them scream and shriek as it hit them.
Rakel winced at the inhuman cries, and her heart beat furiously in her chest. Her mind screamed at her to run and flee because she knew that cloud was coming for her. The memory of the curse she encountered in Ostfold made her hands clammy and her heartbeat erratic. But I can’t flee. I can’t give way to this darkness, or it will slaughter Phile, Halvor, Oskar, Steinar, Farrin—everyone I know. And when it reaches the mirror, it will swallow up the world.
“Yes. I can stop him,” Rakel said. I have to. She forced her lips into a smile, even though her face felt as malleable as stone. “Trust me.”
Farrin brushed his gloved fingers across her hand. “I will stand with you.”
Rakel nodded and turned her attention to the cloud—which threatened to block out the sky. She sucked in her breath, pulled on her magic, and threw up a massive ice wall.
She didn’t attempt to create a piece of architecture; she went for sheer power and created a jagged, crystalline wall of frosty white ice.
The cloud and wall collided. Pain—like nails digging into her skin—hit Rakel. It’s painful to even graze his magic, but it’s a much more bearable byproduct than his curses. The ice wall sang and shattered, and the black cloud disappeared.
While she was busy defending, Tenebris had built up ammunition. Three rivers as black as tar oozed across the battlefield, spattering the churned snow. They were significantly smaller than the cloud, but moved much more swiftly and in unpredictable paths.
Rakel blocked the first with a massive ice shield and cut off the second, impaling it with a giant stalagmite of ice. The last one reared up like a snake preparing to strike—causing panic among the Verglas troops. Rakel gritted her teeth at the burning pain in her mind and redirected her magic, freezing the last river all the way through.
