Page 11 of A Tale of Ice and Ash
Chapter Three:
The Home of the Dwarves
“So, someone –you won’t say who– took you out into the woods, told you my mother wanted to kill you, set you free instead and you’ve spent the past five years living with a family of dwarves in a location you will not disclose?”
“That’s correct.”
“And these dwarven benefactors of yours have taught you the ways of the Underground, including how to fight these twisted dark cousins of theirs?”
“We call them shades.”
“Shades. Right. Why don’t more people talk about them?”
Eirwen shrugged. “Not many go Under the Mountain, Cole.”
“I’m starting to see why...”
He squinted ahead, covering his eyes as the daylight from the end of the tunnel crashed against them like an avalanche.Eirwen blinked as her sight readjusted. They were back in the forest, clear golden skies overhead. It was almost evening. The others would be getting worried.
She looked back at her reluctant companion. “What wereyoudoing under there, anyway?”
“Looking for the amulet, like I said.”
“What for?”
“I don’t have to tell you everything.”
“I just–” She scowled, resisting the urge to stamp her foot. “Why didn’t you send someone to retrieve it on your behalf?”
“It’s complicated.”
“Good stories are. Confess.”
“How about you tell me where you live and then I’ll tell you?”
Eirwen bristled, backing away.
“Oh,please.I’m not about to tell my mother where you are, and even if I did, it wouldn’t matter, because shedid not order your death.”
“Agree to disagree.”
“She… your father died in a hunting accident, Snow. I wasthere.”
“He died after that.”
“The physician said–”
“He was going to recover,” Eirwen insisted. “I held his hand the night before and I knew. And then he just… he just went. Something happened to him.”
Cole turned his head away, folding his arms. “You’re imagining things.”
“Says the deluded prince.”
“Oh– whatever!”
Eirwen walked on ahead.
“Wait– where are you going?”
