Frost Burn

by K T Munson

  He nodded, “I always am.”

  When Tallus returned to the sled, Yorten waved. Aradel waved as well, and then remembered the Fire Nation was at her back. She peered over her shoulder and figured the boats were far enough out that she likely hadn’t been seen. Hurrying to the tents, she kept her head up and her face serene.

  She found Kirill in the tent set up for the Fire Nation, throwing wood into two fire blazers in anticipation of their arrival. He appeared deep in thought, putting the pieces in one by one. Kirill was one of the highest ranked in their army; he didn’t need to do it himself. Yet Aradel knew that when he was worried he felt the need to do something with his hands.

  “Kirill,” Aradel called, stepping close.

  He looked up as though coming out of a daze. His expression was serious. “What is it?”

  “They are nearly here,” Aradel told him and then glanced toward the Queen’s tent. “I’m worried.”

  Kirill stopped stacking wood, clapped the wood dust off his hands, and put a hand on her shoulder as he always did when trying to comfort her. He had done it as a boy and he did it now as a man. It was good that if everything else was changing in her life, Kirill would remain as he was.

  He bent down to look her in the eye. “We can handle the Fire Nation.”

  “I’m not worried about them,” Aradel explained, remembering that, despite what had happened, hatred toward the Fire Nation remained. “I’m worried about the news they bring.”

  He pointed at a group of soldiers and bellowed, “Finish stacking this.”

  They hopped to it, fearful of Kirill’s wrath if they moved too slowly. It still amused her that so many people feared him when she felt safest at his side.

  They left the warmth of the Fire Nation tent and went into the other. Under the Queen’s tent, which had a thicker canopy to keep the sun off, there was one large chair. A light fabric infused with wax for protection from possible rain connected the two tents above. Behind the frost tent was a private tent for the Queen.

  Kirill stopped in front of the throne and whispered, “We will figure something out. I know you are worried about Queen Vesna, but the moon pearls still glow brightly for her.”

  “You’re right,” Aradel conceded.

  “Of course I am,” Kirill replied.

  “Commander Kirill!” a guard called, rushing toward them. “The Fire Nation is preparing to land.”

  “Shall we go and greet them?” Kirill asked, and she managed a meek smile.

  “I shall tell the Queen,” Aradel said and swept from the main area to the small break in fabric behind the throne.

  Queen Vesna lifted her head as Aradel entered. There was tension on her face that the old Queen couldn’t hide. The pain of her hurt knee had kept her awake and been a strain during their travels. Were it not so vital that the Queen be present, she likely would not have traveled at all. “They are here,” Aradel announced, and instantly all the elects were on their feet getting the Queen into place. Queen Vesna no longer argued and tried to do things on her own.

  She had placed a ring of ice around her knee to keep it stiff and cold. That had helped tremendously, but it had not fully fixed the problem. They exited the private tent and set the Queen in front of her chair in the main tent. Not a moment passed before Kirill walked around the corner. His face was grim and serious as the Queen of the Fire Nation, and a small entourage, followed close behind. The Queen was, however, without the two warriors that Aradel had seen at their first meeting—the woman who had shoved Kirill, and the man by that woman’s side. Given the last encounter, that was probably wise.

  Queen Vesna remained standing. Though she seemed unsteady, she did not fall as she smiled and called gently, “Greetings Queen Darha.”

  “Hello Queen Vesna,” the Fire Nation Queen responded kindly, but noticing the pinched expression on her face, Aradel could tell she was worried. “How have you been?”

  “I do not believe we have time for niceties,” Queen Vesna responded as she took a step toward the table set up under the canopy between the two tents. “We have eagerly been waiting your arrival and your news for two days. You can understand my impatience.”

  “I can,” Queen Darha replied, waving a small man with strange orange colored hair forward. “This is Dorsh, the head researcher of our Derser Rects. He has made use of all the samples and believes he understands what is happening and perhaps has a solution.”

  The man had a rolled parchment clenched to his chest. He hurried forward and unrolled it on the table. Both Queens stepped closer and Dorsh licked his lips nervously. He glanced over at his Queen, who nodded.

  “Our problem is here,” he said, pointing to a large island to the north of the Fire Nation. “On Rask, there is a volcano that we classify as a mega volcano. It has the power to end our world, and it is now active. If it erupts, we won’t survive it.”

  A heavy silence fell over the Frost Nation as everyone, including Queen Vesna, looked at the little man in horror. Aradel glanced back at Kirill. His face was impassive, but his eyes did shift over to hers. There was a glint of worry in them, which set Aradel’s heart racing with anxiety that she was determined to hide.

  “How can a volcano all the way up there affect us down here?” Queen Vesna asked in disbelief and pointed at the southern pole area where the whales had died.

  “See this black line?” Dorsh asked, less nervous as he went into full lecture mode. Aradel had seen it happen to her teachers. For teachers, there was nothing as natural as lecturing.

  “Yes,” Queen Vesna replied, staring at the dark black line.

  “That is where our records indicate a possible chain of fissures is located. Based on the high sulfuric content and high temperatures in your ocean water, we believe this line continues down along your west coast and continues around the southern part of your nation before reconnecting with the line here in the northeast,” he explained, tapping the eastern side of the map.

  “Fissures?” Queen Vesna asked. Clearly she was as unfamiliar with this word as Aradel was.

  “They are almost like our surface volcanos, releasing heat and sulfuric gases in massive amounts. Only they are likely not cone-shaped structures, but rather cracks in the sea bed. The land on either side of these fissures seems to be colliding into each other under the water as well, which is causing the quakes and the massive tidal waves.” Aradel leaned forward to inspect the map and the dreaded black line.

  “But a quake didn’t kill those whales,” Queen Vesna pointed out.

  “In a way, it did,” he replied before pointing at the Fire Nation’s western coast. “We are having the same problem with finding dead sea life, and it has been attributed to underwater activity. We believe the same substance that comes out of our volcanos is spilling out into the ocean floor from these fissures. When the fissures along this line first erupted and opened, resulting in that devastating quake, there was likely a concentrated blast of hot water and gas that preceded the lava. This is what killed your whales.”

  “Are they still in danger?” Queen Vesna demanded, concerned.

  “We can’t be sure, but it seems that only the initial underwater eruption is deadly.” Dorsh shrugged. “After that, the sea life likely adapts or migrates elsewhere.”

  “What is causing it?” she asked, point blank.

  The man licked his lips again nervously. “The mega volcano. So long as it’s active, the quakes and resulting damage will continue. Rask’s activity is causing the activity among all the volcanos and fissures along this black line. The excess gas being released into our sky from this activity is what’s causing the warmer days and heat that is harming your people. These gases are essentially trapping the sunlight’s heat and keeping it from escaping into our sky. That’s why the River Gora is flooding too. As your snow and ice melts, it causes the river to swell.”

  “And your solution?” she asked, her voice commanding.

  Queen Darha stepped forward and interjected before the lit
tle balding man could respond. “We want to cool it down.”

  Queen Vesna blinked a few times, and Aradel realized what the Fire Nation Queen was saying. Silence marched on as the reality of the situation settled in. Aradel glanced between Queen Vesna, and the tired faces of the Fire Nation people. They looked far more worn out, like threadbare rugs that were fraying at the edges. They were certainly getting the brunt of these massive natural events. Queen Darha particularly looked worn. Aradel couldn’t imagine the devastation she was facing farther north in her land. Yet somehow, she seemed determined to remain poised and dignified, although Aradel could see that the Fire Queen would rather collapse.

  “What do you need from us?” Queen Vesna asked finally, her question directed at Queen Darha.

  “Dorsh believes that if we get a large enough piece of ice and place it into the volcano, it may work, or at least buy us time,” Queen Darha managed to reply.

  “May?” Queen Vesna asked, studying the map. “I can’t send a member of my nation to certain death on a maybe.”

  “My Queen,” Aradel interrupted before she knew what she was saying. “I volunteer.” All eyes swiveled to her, but she remained unfazed. Her face was set in determination as she met the eyes of her Queen, whose word was the only one that mattered.

  Queen Vesna blinked at her in surprise. “Why?”

  “Any chance is worth the risk,” Aradel reminded her, thinking of The Wall, and her people who only survived because of it.

  Queen Vesna pressed her lips together reluctantly. “You’re right,” she agreed, before turning back to Queen Darha. “We will break off a piece of our Isle of Ice here and transport it through the ocean. Your people can escort until the climate becomes too much for the Frost Nation, where upon they will return here and the Fire Nation will have command of the mission. We will transport barrels and barrels of water for Aradel’s consumption, enough to last the entire trip there and back, so she can use her magic to keep the iceberg cold, and keep a constant ice shield around herself to protect against the heat.”

  “My Queen,” Kirill said suddenly, stepping forward as Aradel resolved herself to the quest. “Lady Aradel is needed here. I am the best choice to go on this quest. I can both defend myself, and am powerful enough to keep the iceberg cold. I will also consume less water because of my higher heat resistance through the Fire Nation’s warmer climate.”

  “Kirill,” Aradel breathed, shaking her head as her heart started to race.

  “I’ll not make a decision now,” Queen Vesna insisted before looking up at the Fire Nation’s Queen. “Do you consent to this plan?”

  “I will spare as many men as I can,” Queen Darha agreed.

  “We’ll have boats made to aid in pushing the great iceberg,” she responded, leaning on the table to take the pressure off her bad leg. “Twelve at least. You shall need enough men to man all twelve boats and three scout boats.”

  “Why would we need scout boats?” Queen Darha asked, her perfect eyebrow raised in confusion.

  “Icebergs seem reasonable from the top, but most of their mass is underwater,” Queen Vesna explained. “You’ll need to check water depths to make sure it can pass through without causing damage or getting stuck.”

  “I understand,” she replied. “We will send you a message when all arrangements have been made.”

  “We shall do the same,” Queen Vesna parroted before waving a hand to the side. “Please take this box of food as a gift. If I understand correctly, it is something you don’t have.”

  “What are they?” Queen Darha asked as the box was set on the table.

  “We call them Winter Berries,” she explained as the Fire Queen peered inside it. “The children call them Blueberries for their dark color. They were taken from my personal garden.”

  “Thank you,” Queen Darha managed as a range of emotions passed over her face.

  “You are welcome,” Queen Vesna replied, straightening her back. “Though I warn you, they are tart.” Queen Vesna smiled at the young queen in a grandmotherly way.

  It was one of the Queen’s many abilities. She could put just about anyone at ease, while also telling them exactly what to do. Queen Darha was no exception, and she seemed genuinely warmed by their encounter before parting.

  Aradel kept her eyes fixed on the Fire Nation as they made their way back toward the River Gora. “Queen Darha,” Aradel called and went after the young northern Queen, recalling the exhaustion and slight despair in her eyes.

  Queen Darha turned around, as did her small entourage. They all gathered close to their Queen’s side and reached for their weapons. Queen Darha’s hand went up, however, stopping any movement. Aradel watched them impassively as she approached. Being this close to her, Aradel realized the Fire Nation Queen was quite short. Her head was tilted up considerably so she could look at Aradel’s face.

  Aradel gave a small but graceful curtsy. “My name is Aradel, honorable candidate to Queen Vesna. I just wanted to say that you should not lose hope, Queen Darha.”

  Another wave of emotions went over the small Queen’s face. She pressed her lips together and nodded once in respect. “Aradel, thank you for the encouragement.” The whisper of tears erupted in her silver eyes, and she looked like she wanted to say more. Instead, she swallowed them down and nodded again before continuing toward their boats.

  Aradel watched her for a moment before turning to go back to her Queen, and found Kirill staring after her. He appeared displeased, but Aradel didn’t care.

  “What do you think you are doing?” she hissed quietly at him as she approached.

  “What am I doing? What do you think you’re doing?” he countered.

  “Don’t change the subject,” Aradel said, tapping into her Queen-elect’s reserve of authority.

  Kirill knew that look and sighed. “Saving your ass,” he replied with a slight smile. He was trying to be jovial as they started back for the tents.

  “You don’t need to protect me,” Aradel insisted. Even though she was angry, it still meant a lot that he would try to protect her.

  “That is a bonus,” he admitted, crossing his arms, “but I am the best choice. If something or someone attacks them, you don’t know how to use a blade. You are powerful, but that is exactly why you should stay here. Our nation needs you to fix our wall.”

  Before she could respond, they reached the tents and Kirill swept inside, ending the debate. Aradel’s breaths came in short angry bursts, as her eyes darted back and forth over the river as the Fire Nation boats faded into the mist.

  The problem was that he was absolutely correct. Aradel was powerful, but she couldn’t use a blade, and she could hardly manage a bow. As she turned to go inside the tent, she knew that he was right and that the Queen was going to see that as well.

  Fire: Chapter Fourteen

  Thea noticed Darha had been edgy and abrupt since the meeting in the Temple basement. It was not like her, but Thea had to admit the change was a little nice. Darha seemed more in control and in command, like a Queen should be. The only problem was that she wasn’t used to being assertive, and it was coming off as unkindness and impatience. It was strange that over the past week, Thea had needed to remind Darha on a few occasions to be gentle. She would immediately deflate and apologize, but it wasn’t long before she became a whirlwind again. It was humorous, and strangely tended to lighten Thea’s heart a bit.

  Thea was in her and Coor’s bedroom chambers, sitting in the chair at her vanity desk, gazing into the mirror. It was hot tonight, so she was in a thin white nightgown with her hair down. Tomorrow they were to travel on the River Gora again, this time to its western mouth. They were meeting the Frost Knight called Kirill, supposedly toting along a massive iceberg like a child holds a snowball. Thea knew it might be possible for the Frost Nation, but she’d believe it when she saw it.

  Darha had been in constant communication with the Frost Queen over the past week and a half via the messenger birds. Apparently, the journey up
the west coast was going to take about a month, and Thea wasn’t looking forward to it. It was going to be cold, and wet, and miserable, and she might end up slitting that Frost Knight’s throat if he got mouthy with her. Then the job would never get done.

  In truth, however, she knew that the Frost Knight was the only hope the planet had to survive, and she wasn’t about to jeopardize that. None of which meant she had to like him; she just had to go with him.

  Thea sighed as the heaviness in her heart set in over the fact that Coor was not going with her. It would be the first time they’d be apart for a month since they’d known each other. The two of them only had to discuss it once, though, as they both knew that Darha could not run a dying nation without Coor. He wasn’t a magic user anyway, so he wouldn’t have been able to blaze his core and keep himself warm near an iceberg. Thea was probably the most powerful magic user in the Fire Nation, just under Darha, and she knew how to handle herself in battle, so it made sense she would go.

  The others chosen included Fitzu and her remaining scouts because they were one of the most powerful groups of magic users in the Fire Nation. They were also able to defend themselves with weaponry. Thea felt a small amount of comfort knowing she’d have Fitzu with her. He was like a brother to her, and they usually had a jovial time together on any mission. He would lighten the burden for sure.

  Kimbro was going as well. Pretty much everyone, including Darha, had wanted him to stay and tend the wounded and ill in Vlid. But Kimbro politely, yet adamantly insisted he go with the iceberg party, saying, “This host is our only hope to save the planet. If something happens to them, we are all going to die. They need me much more than the regular populace right now.” After a persuasive argument on his behalf, Thea and Darha conceded to let him come. That also brought a measure of comfort to Thea. She wasn’t as close to Kimbro as she was Fitzu, but there was nothing wrong with the most powerful healer in the Fire Nation coming along.