Eicewald put it away in the scarf and back into his bag. At once Lasgol felt the temperature of the tent begin to rise.
“Better?”
“Ye…es,” Lasgol said. His voice was unsteady.
“The power which radiates from the Eternal Snowflake affects the temperature around it. To prevent that you must prevent its light from spreading.”
“Does it have some power, or does it only store energy?”
Eicewald smiled. “That’s a good question, I see you have a nimble mind.” He stared into Lasgol’s eyes. A shiver ran down his spine as he felt the scrutiny of the Mage’s dark eyes, which seemed to be delving into his mind.
“It has both, and they’re very special. We use them as an enhancer for the spell against the Frozen Specter. You must be wondering why I’ve confided all this information to you.”
“I … well …”
“It’s logical.” His gesture indicated that he had expected this. “Magi are reserved by nature, and we like our secrets. This is because of our profession. If I’ve told you all this, it’s because I need something from you,”
Lasgol’s eyes widened. He had not been expecting this. “From me?”
“Yes. You see, when we are casting the great spell, we won’t be able to touch the Eternal Snowflake. We’ll need someone to hold it and assist us. I thought about you. You know the Creature we’re up against, and you have an open mind, quite apart from the fact that you’re a Specialist Ranger. I think you’ll do very well, and it guarantees us a certain safety. Will you help us?”
“Yes, of course,” Lasgol replied. He was rather confused, and very surprised, at having been chosen.
“It won’t be a pleasant experience. As you’ve seen, you’ll experience the low temperatures the object produces. Don’t worry too much, we’ll prepare you so that you can do it, and protect you from the effects of the cold.”
This sounded rather alarming to Lasgol, but he did not want to tell the Mage this after he had been entrusted with all that information.
“Very well, then. Go and get some rest. We’ll let you know when the time comes. Don’t worry, we’ll take care of everything.”
“I just hope we can get rid of the creature.”
“That’s what we’re all hoping,” the mage assured him.
When Lasgol came out of the tent he saw that the other four Ice Magi were still practicing and studying. This reassured him a little. They would protect him. He went back to the Rangers, puzzling over everything Eicewald had revealed to him.
At dawn they went on deeper into the Frozen Territories. The nights were now very tense and long. As they were in enemy territory, fires were forbidden, and though the season meant that the temperature was mild, they were now very far north and it was colder, so that it seemed autumn had come instead of the summer that was on its way. Luckily Norghanians were used to these temperatures, and the cloaks and blankets were enough to make the nights bearable.
Lasgol and the other Rangers were keeping watch ahead. The only good thing about this was that he could enjoy the company of Camu and Ona, since he was alone most of the day.
If you detect anything I don’t, Lasgol messaged his two friends, you tell me, agreed?
Yes, we warn, Camu replied. He was staring out over the plain that stretched out in front of them. Ona chirped affirmatively.
I have the feeling that they aren’t going to attack us, and that’s worrying me.
No attack?
That’s what it’s starting to look like. They should have attacked us somehow. The Wild Ones aren’t exactly patient, and we’re deep into their territory. Tomorrow we reach one of those new large villages of theirs we found last time we were here. It isn’t normal for them to let us get so far, knowing as they do that we’re on our way. They’re planning something …
Ona hissed, showing that she did not like this either.
Brutish Wild Ones, always attack.
Yes, and that’s exactly why I’m surprised they’re not.
Tomorrow see.
Yeah, we’ll see what they’re up to, but I’m not at all easy. They’re not behaving the way we’re used to, and when things don’t go the way they ought to, it’s usually a bad sign.
The following day they came to the outskirts of the village, but found it deserted. The prints they found indicated that the whole village had fled north. Taken aback, they went on. They sent Royal Rangers to the other village Lasgol had discovered, and when they came back they reported the same news. The village had been abandoned, and all the Wild Ones had fled north.
“What are they trying to do?” Sven asked Gatik, looking troubled. “They never withdraw, they always fight. This is really strange.”
“They seem to be leading us on to the north.”
Sven was examining one of his maps. “There’s nothing to the north. The land comes to an end and we reach the sea.”
“Well, that’s where they’re going. That’s what the trail indicates,” Gatik said with a shrug.
“There’s one last village, sir,” Lasgol pointed out.
“To the north?” Gatik asked.
“Yes, sir. I didn’t get that far, but I saw it in the distance.”
“Do you think they’ve all gathered there in this last village?” Sven asked Gatik. “As if it were a meeting point for all their forces?”
“It looks that way. All the trails indicate they’ve gone north. If there’s a village there, it must be their meeting point, where they’re waiting for battle.”
“Yes, I agree. Let’s move on. I don’t care if we have to chase them as far as the sea. We’ll do that, then throw their bodies over the cliffs.”
“Agreed,” Gatik said.
The following day,
