“Yes, sir.” Lasgol bowed his head. Gondabar’s words, and his determination, had impressed him.
“That’s also one of the reasons why you’ve been sent on missions in distant parts of the realm.”
“Sir?” Lasgol was not sure he understood what Gondabar meant.
“To protect you. After what happened here in the capital, I mean the attempt on your life, I don’t want to run any risks with your safety. The Dark Rangers want you dead, and we need to find out why. It could give us a clue that would help us find the leaders. That’s why I’ve kept you away from the capital, and from big cities, where it would be easier to try and kill you.”
“I see, sir. Thank you.”
“Unfortunately, I had to call you sooner than I’d hoped. You’re needed, and it’s not me who called you.”
“The King?”
“That’s right. The situation in the North has gotten a lot more complicated in the last few months. There’s a lot of activity in the Frozen Territories. The Wild Ones of the Ice have been stopping our soldiers and Rangers from going anywhere near there. Not only that, but they’ve begun to cross the passes, and carry out incursions on this side of the mountains. There’ve been several villages and farms sacked. The King’s orders are to move on the passes, secure them, then go on to the Frozen Territories and take them for the Crown.”
“I had no idea the Wild Ones were causing so much trouble.”
“The information is being kept restricted. We’ve just come out of a war, and the King doesn’t want to start another.”
“But if they cross to our side …”
“He has no choice but to act. He can’t afford to appear as weak King.”
“With all due respect, but what about the Ice Specter?”
“That’s why you’ve been called. You’re going to lead the King’s troops to the Specter.”
“Steel can’t kill it. I’ve seen that with my own eyes.”
“Mage Eicewald and his Ice Magi are also going.”
“I see. That’s why all those soldiers are practicing.”
“Exactly. You all leave at dawn.”
“So soon?”
“Yes. They were waiting for you.”
“Very well, sir. Let’s hope the Ice Magi and the soldiers together can take possession of the territories.”
“Let’s hope so. In any case, there’s no choice. Those are King Thoran’s direct orders.”
“We’ll carry them out, sir,” Lasgol said.
“It’s a great honor, to be guiding the King’s troops. We have to trust that the King’s forces will be able to deal with the Specter. The world of magic is extensive and complex. I only know a little about it, but I trust the knowledge and powers of the King’s Magi. With an army, together with the Ice Magi, there ought to be no creature or specter, magical or not, that can stand up to them. I don’t know whether they’ll kill it, but I’ve no doubt that they’ll banish it to the depths of some frozen abyss.”
“Yes, sir …”
“Good luck, Lasgol. Report when you come back.”
“I’ll do that, sir.” And with a respectful nod, Lasgol left. He thought about the Specter, and a long shiver ran down his spine.
Chapter 12
Lasgol joined Nilsa in the dining hall, where they sat down by themselves at one of the long tables. There were more Rangers at the other tables, and Lasgol lowered his voice so that nobody could overhear them. Quickly he told her everything Gondabar had said.
Nilsa listened wide-eyed, hanging from every word, biting her nails. When he had finished, she nodded repeatedly.
“I’ll keep on the lookout for any information or suspicious movements that point to the Dark Rangers. You needn’t worry about that.”
“Has Gondabar said anything to you?”
“Not much, actually, but when you and I were attacked he did question me long and thoroughly, three separate times.”
“That sounds like a good sign. I think it means he’s worried and wants to get to the bottom of the matter.”
“Now that you’ve told me he’s investigating, I’ll offer to help him, casually. Then he might share some relevant information with me and we might get an insight into who they are and how they operate.”
“That’s a good idea. Do it subtly, so that he doesn’t know I’ve been telling you about this.”
“No problem. I’ll mention it in passing, when anything odd happens in town – which is every week. I’ll tell him I’m worried we might be attacked again, or something like that, to see if I can get him to talk about it.”
“Fine, but be very careful and don’t get too involved. It’s very dangerous.”
She winked at him. “It’s dangerous for you. I don’t think they want to kill me.”
“If they find out you’re investigating them, I promise they will. They’re not going to let anybody find them out.”
“All right … I’ll be careful.” She stroked his arm to relax him. He was very tense, and it was noticeable.
“Thanks. I feel a bit easier now, though not much.”
“We’re safe here,” she assured him.
Lasgol looked around. Several Rangers were eating at long tables near them, and at the furthest a dozen Royal Rangers were chatting. He nodded toward them.
“We can’t tell whether any of them is working for the Dark Ones.”
Nilsa took a good look at them. “I know nearly all of them. I don’t think they’re with the Dark Ones.”
“There’s no way of telling. It could be anyone. And we won’t know until they act.”
Nilsa made a face. “That’s true.” She was watching them thoughtfully.
“That’s why you need to be very careful and not trust even a Royal Ranger. We have no idea how high up they’ve infiltrated our corps.”
“You think they’ve infiltrated the different ranks? Specialists? Royal Rangers? Master Rangers? Leaders?” She was looking deeply worried.
“Specialists and Royals: I’d say
