“I don’t think we were picked because we’re the best,” Nilsa objected almost in a whisper, unwilling to disagree with Ingrid and shifting from one foot to the other. “I think we were picked because Lasgol asked for us. Gondabar was sent a list of chosen names, our names. I saw it on his desk.”
Lasgol nodded. “Yup, I recommended you to him.” He told them about the conversation he had had with Eicewald.
“Well, we’re still the best team for any mission, I’m absolutely certain of that,” Ingrid insisted.
“Blondie has got a point there.”
“Of course, I’ve got a point, you knucklehead.”
“But there are very experienced Specialist Rangers and Veterans who must be a better choice than us for a mission like this,” Gerd reasoned.
“More experienced, certainly,” Ingrid agreed. “But better at carrying out a mission as a team: not one of them. I know that. I’ve had to work with experienced Rangers, and even some very good Specialists, but I can assure you that I’d never choose them over you, not even if I were out of my mind!”
“Well, there are plenty of days when you do seem to be out of your mind,” Viggo taunted her.
Ingrid glared at him. “At least I go crazy because I’m sane, but you – you could never lose your wits, because you haven’t got any to begin with!” She jabbed her finger at his forehead.
Nilsa giggled. “You’ve both got a point there,” she murmured.
“As a team, working together,” Ingrid went on with her usual charisma and determination, “we’re a lot better that any other half-dozen of the best and most expert specialists. We know each other perfectly – our strong points and our weaknesses – and we’re exceptional, you can take my word on that. There’s nobody I’d rather go with on this mission than you.”
“When you get like that, I’d follow you into the eye of a hurricane!” Viggo said. He winked at her.
She drew back her fist. “I’m going to shut that eye of yours with a punch!”
Gerd stepped casually in between the two of them to forestall this.
Lasgol sighed. “I decided to choose the Panthers because you’re the only ones I trust and the only ones I’d set sail with on this really difficult mission. You’re the only ones I know who’re capable of standing up to any situation, just as Ingrid said. I think the same as she does. We may not be the best, and we may not have the most experience individually, but together we’re capable of dealing with anything that comes our way and coming out victorious. We’re fantastic, to paraphrase Egil.”
“I like that. Very well said, and all true. We’ll succeed, we’re the Snow Panthers,” Ingrid said encouragingly.
“Besides,” Lasgol went on, “Eicewald asked me for a bunch of Rangers I completely trusted, and that could only mean you. What would you have done in my place? The kingdom’s in great danger. The Specter and the hosts of the Frozen Continent might cross the mountains at any time, and there’d be no way of stopping them.”
“You did the right thing,” Ingrid said encouragingly. “I’d have done the same thing without a second thought. Don’t feel bad about it.”
Nilsa and Gerd were nodding in support of Lasgol’s decision, although from their faces it was obvious that they were troubled.
Astrid rubbed his back encouragingly. “Never doubt your instincts, and still less your friends. You did the right thing to call us. If you hadn’t done it and something had happened to you, how d’you think we’d feel?”
“We’d never have forgiven you,” Ingrid said.
Astrid was looking at him with eyes bright with love. “I always want to be here with you, and I’ll follow you to the end of the world if that’s where you’re going. Always.”
Viggo raised his eyebrows. “Well, the way this mission looks, that’s exactly where we’re headed …” Ingrid was about to say something, but he raised his finger so that she would let him finish. “All the same, if we have to go to the end of the world and back to save the realm, then there’s only one option, which is for me –for us to go, the Snow Panthers, I mean. Nobody else would ever be able to manage it, so don’t think about it anymore. We’ll take on the job of sorting out this insignificant tangle.” His chest swelled.
Nilsa laughed, and Gerd joined her. Even Ingrid smiled, although she was trying hard not to.
“And now,” Astrid said with a smile, “tell me, where have you got those two dears Ona and Camu? I’m dying to see them.” She gave him a wink.
Lasgol brightened up and smiled too. “They’re below deck, with the cargo. You’ll see how happy they are to see you all.”
“They’d better not throw themselves on me and lick me all over,” Viggo began to protest.
“Just shut up, you twit,” Ingrid snapped. “All you do is complain about everything all the time.”
The group went down to see Ona and Camu.
Very soon, the ship would be setting sail.
Chapter 19
Captain Olsen ordered his crew to ready themselves for departure. With the sun at its highest, the cargo on board, and the Snow Panthers along with Eicewald ready for the expedition, they weighed anchor. The sail was spread, and the ship sought the breath of the wind on its western course.
The journey would be a long one. They had to reach the north coast of the kingdom of Rogdon, then sail along it and head south, following the coast until they reached the territory of the
