Page 218 of A Dagger of Ice and Intrigue
“You need gentle pressure,” Nadya said.
“I’m being gentle,” he said, smashing the rocks harder.
“Give them to me, I can–”
“No, I can do it–”
“You need to bend over more, like the Commander showed us–”
“Iamlow–”
“Bickering while trolls might still be nearby isn’t exactly wise,” I said.
“We’re not bickering,” Geryll said.
“No, we’re arguing over who’s right.” Nadya reached for the stones. “And we’ll be cold all night if you won’t accept help.”
“I can do it!”
I groaned low in my throat. These discussions felt achingly familiar; my cousins and I would bicker long and loud enough that even Grandpa Constantine had raised his voice at us a few times.
That was one lesson I didn’t plan on repeating. Everyone was tired after the long trip, we were hungry, and cold. The last thing anyone needed was an argument.
As Nadya produced more meager sparks, I called on my powers. The more I used them, the quicker they answered. I pushed my hand between the twigs, pretending to rearrange them.
“Take the spark, keep it low and make it grow,” I whispered.
A thin blue tendril shot out just as Nadya flicked the stones again, igniting the kindling. Both of them shut up as the fire began to spread.
“There we go.” I got up with another groan, arching my spine back, trying to ease the tension. The sled ride had taken at least ten years off my life.
“Are you sure you’re okay?” Nadya asked for the thousandth time since I rejoined the group. And each time, she sounded more guilty.
“As sure as the first time you asked.” I righted myself even as my muscles protested. I didn’t need anyone worrying over me.“The fall was nothing compared to the sled ride. I’d rather ride on the back of a horse for a full week.”
“I’m still sorry,” she grumbled, like she was fighting with someone. Probably herself, because it definitely wasn’t with me.
“It wasn’t your fault. And I amfine.” Aching, worried, and tired was fine, because I was still alive. “You two have to keep the fire going. The warriors will be back soon.”
They both snapped into action, placing more wood and fanning the small flames.
As I stepped away, I heard Nadya mutter, “She started it with her magic, didn’t she?”
The crater’s rim was maybe three hours away, now more massive than ever. A shadow in the sunset which seemed to suck in all the light. No birds flew near it and no waterfalls dared cascade down its sleek walls.
It loomed over everyone and everything, a menacing giant which should not have existed. The trolls must have had the courage of a thousand men to not only approach the ridge, but live in it.
Yet, I too had passed through the barrier. Delved deep within its belly and lived through the horror of the voices.
Tomorrow, I’d have to do it again.
The wolves had been let free to roam, most of them accompanying the warriors to secure the area. A few lay in the snow, munching on the bones Mrs. Thornbrew had packed them. Luckily, they stayed far away from the sleds gathered in a line in a protected nook near the rock.
A shiver raced up my spine as I neared ours, the troll roars blaring in my memory.
It had passed.
I was alive.
