Page 35 of Winter's Dragons. Frozen Flames
Chapter Nine
True Strength
Kerryn
"Well, when Her Majesty mentioned fiery pits, I admit that this was not at all what I imagined. In Terra Dracones, such places tend to actually have... fire."
I shot Isebrand a baleful glance, willing him to shut up already. I could understand his confusion since the unremarkable cottage that seemed to be our destination didn't have the makings of a prison in the way a firedrake understood it. Nevertheless, now was not the time to make remarks like that. I had no doubt that the garrison hid plenty of secrets beneath the surface, and despite being a recent arrival to Chronikos, Isebrand should've realized that too.Whenever magic was involved, nothing was really what it seemed, and that never changed, no matter what realm we were in.
Then again, I couldn't exactly blame him for his agitation. Cassia's sudden appearance had made it clear that she'd confronted Snegurka and had been possessed like Karasu, but it also meant Emmerich was at least in danger, if not dead. His parents were trying to deal with it, but their concern showed, and I deemed it somewhat miraculous that they had not decided to fly off on their own to look for their missing son.
"Don't be foolish, Isebrand," Jerika snapped at her mate, her sharp words echoing my thoughts. "You've seen plenty of lairs cloaked by magic. This is probably no different."
"It isn't," Oki rumbled, "although I imagine the magic that was used here is unlike anything you might be familiar with. Be very careful. Remnants of the power that attacked the guardian seal may still linger, and it is not out of the question that we may run into hostile forces."
His warning silenced the conversation between Emmerich's parents, which was fortunate because otherwise, I might've had to do it. There were still so many questions I had, so many things I did not understand, so many doubts that lingered on my mind. However, if the brief explanation Oki had given us was correct, this might be Cassia's only chance at surviving the confrontation with Snegurka, and we had to hurry, lest our hastily put together plan result in failure.
Led by the wendigo and his Yuki-Onna, we made our way toward the garrison, all the while keeping an eye out for any possible intruders. Our self-appointed task would've been easier had a thick cloud of magic not lingered over the area. It wasn't solely elemental, as it also carried traces of the same demonic power that Snegurka had used on Karasu. Even so, we still felt the weight of its chill seeking out the vulnerabilities intrinsic to our reptilian nature. We had shifted forms to attempt a stealthier approach, but I suspected that wouldn't have made a difference had we not carried the blessing Cassia had placed on us.
"This is where Mariko and I were attacked," Oki explained as we approached the house. "He took us completely by surprise. We didn't have much of a chance."
It was obvious that Oki was still blaming himself for his failure. I could understand that, but it wasn't what Cassia would have wanted. "It's fortunate that you managed to survive," I told him, "and you've both already helped Cassia. If not for Mariko, who knows what would've happened?"
It was more a rhetorical question than anything else. Had Cassia's undead messenger not been there to keep some of the damage at bay and anchor her, her mind and soul might have been lost to us. It still might be, if we didn't hurry.
Mariko seemed to sense my doubts and fears, as she let out a soft, almost inaudible sigh. "I would've liked to say that I connected to Her Majesty's soul on purpose, but that would not be true. She was the one to make her way to me. Just the same, I am happy to have been of service. Hopefully, with your help, Her Majesty will be able to deal with this threat."
"She absolutely will," Raijin said, clenching his jaw. "We won't accept the alternative."
The weight of Raijin's words killed the conversation and Oki guided us into the cottage in silence. Even if we were no longer in our dragon forms, our group had trouble fitting into the small house. It was quite tiny and unremarkable, shockingly so considering what it was supposed to hide. Once we were inside, Oki waved a hand, and just like that, the mystery of the garrison was revealed. The floor of the cottage came apart, the planks flying upwards to form a door surrounded by symbols we couldn't understand.
As Oki sliced his palm with a claw and pressed his bloody hand to the wood, the door opened. I couldn't see anything beyond the gateway, but I had a feeling that whatever was waiting for us on the other side would be quite unpleasant.
"Necromancy," Noboru murmured. "I haven't seen that kind of magic in decades."
"Very advanced necromancy," Mariko said, "left here by the gods. But even the magic of the gods has its holes if one knows where to push."
Well, Helios's plan had so many holes it could've very well been a fishing net, but I didn't bother pointing that out. My frustration with Cassia's parents, no matter how warranted, was not something that would help us. "Lead the way, Oki."
The wendigo grabbed both my wrist and Raijin's and dragged us into the hidden chamber that had served as Snegurka's prison. As soon as we passed the door, we were struck by an almost overwhelming, implacable heat. The contrast between temperatures drove the air out of my lungs, and I covered my mouth to prevent any accidental releases of my poison breath. That would not end well, and the last thing we needed right now was an explosion that would kill us all, release Snegurka or both.
Raijin hastily wove a protection spell around us, keeping us safe from the oppressive heat and granting me the chance to recover. "Well," I said once my head stopped spinning, "this is certainly a fiery pit worthy of a firedrake. Emmerich will hate having missed it."
He'd hate more than that if he was even still alive. Gods, I hoped he was. The four of us were one unit, and if Cassia didn't have his support as well, I wasn't sure we would be able to reach her.
"Are you sure this is going to work?" Raijin asked Oki as if guessing my thoughts. We both eyed the metal capsule in the center of the room warily, wondering if we were doing the right thing by going along with the wendigo's plan and poking something that might have been better left alone.
"Not in the slightest," Oki answered. "However, I believe in the power of soulmates. It is what brought me here, after all.
"I will be honest with you. I do not know if I trust you. However, I owe Queen Cheimon's family more than I could ever say. They are the ones who granted me and Mariko shelter when we had no real place to go. King Helios might have done it at least in part out of self-interest because we were useful as guardians for this place, but I know that Queen Cheimon is not that way.
"In all my years, I have seen many kings and queens, and I know that a great majority of them forget that the true reason for their existence is to protect the people. She has not forgotten it, not ever."
Oki glanced at the metal capsule, taking in its frost-covered surface with the same apprehension we ourselves felt. "Do you know that this prison originally held Snegurka prior to Queen Cheimon taking her powers from her? I arrived in Chronikos one year before the whole thing happened, but I remember Snegurka was cognizant at the time, still fighting the enchantment. I believe now that it is part of the reason why Her Majesty went through with the transference ritual to begin with, because she did not want the torture to continue. And if you are indeed her soulmates, you must also have her kindness, her compassion, and her strength.
"Besides, if a soulmate spell was what drove Snegurka insane, it stands to reason that a true soulmate could fight her madness back. Mariko might have been able to help a little, but you are the only ones who can truly stand by Queen Cheimon's side."
Raijin and I could not argue with that logic, and even if we had been inclined to try, we didn't have time to dwell on further doubts. A wave of magic suddenly swept over the room, and the ground above us started to shake, making the fire enchantment inside the pit flare, protest and strain. The sound of shattering ice reached my hearing, reminding me far too much of the moment I'd seen Cassia's body dissipate like a broken mirror.
