“Certainly. Didn’t we save the kingdom, after going to the end of the world on a very dangerous mission?”
“Yeah … that’s right …”
“Well then, I want my statue,” Viggo said with dignity.
“I don’t think they’ll give it to you,” Lasgol said with a smile.
I want statue, came Camu’s request.
There are no statues for anybody.
I save realm. I kill magic.
Yes you did, and you probably deserve it, or rather we all do, we deserve some sort of recognition. But a statue’s too much …
I like.
Ona chirped.
Ona too.
There are no statues for anybody, Lasgol said with finality.
“Well, I’ve got some more good news,” Nilsa went on. “The King didn’t think of us. But our Leader Gondabar did. He’s granted us additional time to rest, for exceptional services rendered to the Crown.” She clapped her hands eagerly.
“All of us?”
“All those of us who went on Eicewald’s mission to get hold of the Star of Sea and Life.”
“Wonderful!” cried Gerd.
“I could do with a holiday,” said Viggo. His face took on a look of exhaustion after all the efforts he had made.
Nilsa rolled her eyes.
“Where’s Ingrid?” Lasgol asked. He was surprised that she was not there with them.
“She’s with Molak,” said Nilsa. “They went for a walk in the fields and a talk …”
“Talk?” Viggo repeated darkly. “That sounds ominous …”
“What would you know about it? I hope they can settle their differences.” She poked her tongue out at him.
“I know plenty.”
“Sure, and I’m a princess locked up in a tower.”
“If you were locked up in a tower, you’d be sure to trip and fall head-first out of the window.”
Gerd laughed, and Nilsa glared at him. The giant looked contrite and stared at the floor.
“You don’t know anything whatsoever,” Nilsa said to Viggo.
“Well, we’ll see. I bet my pay they have a final break-up.”
Nilsa jabbed her finger at him. “You can wish for something, but that doesn’t mean it’s going to happen.”
“I bet they don’t split up,” said Gerd.
“You’re betting against me just to annoy me.”
“Maybe, little one,” Gerd said with a broad smile.
“Little one? Me?”
“Beside me, yes, you are.” He went to stand beside Viggo and crossed his arms over his huge chest. He was a head taller and twice as wide.
“Oh well … beside you, even a Wild One of the Ice would look small.”
Lasgol smiled. Listening to his friends had restored his good spirits, and the pain and suffering vanished from his mind.
´The door opened and Ingrid came in with long strides.
“How was that walk?” Viggo asked caustically.
“And what’s that to you?” she replied, sounding annoyed.
“Ah, I see it went very well,” Viggo said. He smiled and gestured to Gerd to pay the bet.
Gerd shook his head. Viggo looked at Nilsa, inviting agreement, but the redhead ignored him.
“I had a visit from Milton,” Ingrid said.
“News from Egil?” Lasgol asked at once.
“Yeah, we’d better all read it.” She handed it to him, and he read it out, making use of his ring:
Dear friends and colleagues. It is with great joy and not without a certain healthy envy that I have been apprised of your achievements in the mission entrusted to you in the Islands of the Turquoise Queen and the subsequent destruction of the Frozen Specter. If anybody in Norghana could have succeeded in such a deed, there is no doubt that you would be the ones, of that I am absolutely sure.
The reason for this letter, however, is not to congratulate you but for something else, rather less gratifying. During your journey I went on with my investigations, and my searches have finally borne fruit. I have discovered something of great importance which requires action. I cannot reveal my discovery in a letter, but I can assure you that it is of the greatest importance in clarifying an example of suffering, and something somber which seems to extend from our past into our future.
I hereby appeal to my comrades, since I require help, because in my present position it is impossible for me to continue searching or acting.
Hoping to see you soon.
I take my leave of you, your friend.
Egil Olafstone.
“Well, this is quite a letter,” Viggo commented. “This smells to me like a new mess.”
Lasgol was surprised and puzzled after re-reading the letter. “He needs our help …”
“What for?” asked Ingrid.
“Whatever it is,” Gerd commented, “it’s clear he can’t take care of it on his own.”
“They must keep him busy and constantly under their eyes at the Camp,” said Ingrid.
“Could be,” said Lasgol. He had remembered that Angus Veenerten was in command there now. He also remembered the surveillance Egil was subjected to, which he himself had discovered. Not to mention the strange, recent interest Ivana and Haakon had shown in him.
Nilsa was biting her nails. “If Egil’s asking for our help, that must mean he’s found out something really important.”
“But what?” asked Gerd.
“He says something about suffering,” Viggo grumbled. “I don’t know what he means. As usual, he talks in mysteries.”
“That’s so nothing would be obvious if the letter were to fall into the hands of indiscreet eyes, you numbskull,” Ingrid pointed out.
“Suffering …” Nilsa was musing. “That might be an illness …”
“Yeah,” Lasgol said, following the logic, “that has to refer to what Dolbarar’s suffering from.”
“Wasn’t he just ill?” Ingrid asked.
“There might be foul play going on,” Nilsa suggested.
“If he’s summoned us,” Viggo said, “it’s obvious that there is foul play going on.”
“It’s rather worrying …” Lasgol murmured thoughtfully. He did not like the implications of the letter.
“And the other part?” Gerd asked. “Where he talks about something somber, and the past and the future? What does that
