49. Keldarion
49
Keldarion
“W hat are the Kryodian Riders doing outside Winter?” I ask.
Ez gives a shuddering laugh. “I don’t care. I’m just fucking glad to see them.” Then his match strikes true, and his oiled blade ignites with fire, blazing against the rain. He charges into battle with the riders, immediately slicing through the head of a wraith.
A smile finds me, and I roar, rushing after him.
Within minutes, the knoll has been cleared of the herd, their frozen corpses littering the ground. Fire licks at the grasslands, burning away much of the blighted frost. I pull my flaming hand back from the monster and straighten, assessing our surroundings to ensure there are no stragglers.
Ezryn walks up to me, blade extinguished. “I think we got them—”
Thundering hooves sound, and the snowy owl above screeches again. The entire cavalry moves into formation, encircling Ezryn and me. The rangers hold out pikes and spears, caging us between them.
A growl rises in my throat, but I find the eyes of their leader atop the towering moose. He leaps down and removes his silver helmet, revealing a tangle of wet long, blond hair and a thick beard.
“Eirik Vargsaxa,” I say. “Do you not recall the High Prince who named you captain of this cavalry?”
Eirik’s blue eyes flash. “Your Majesty.” He waves his hand, and his soldiers lower their weapons. Then he drops to one knee. “I was not certain it was you. It has been so long since I have beheld the High Prince of Winter.”
I hold out a hand to help him stand. “I see the Kryodian Riders have lost none of their abilities.”
Eirik sighs deeply. “We have become quite skilled at killing the corpses. Unfortunately, it has turned into a necessity.”
“Explain yourself, soldier. Why are you on Autumn’s land?”
Eirik looks around at his soldiers, and a pained expression crosses his features. “You… do not know, Your Highness?”
Cold apprehension laces through me. “Know what?”
“We are banished, High Prince,” Eirik breathes, “by Vizier Quellos himself.”
Ezryn stirs beside me, body tensing. He’s always hated my vizier, but Quellos would never make such a decision without me. There has to be some sort of confusion.
“That can’t be possible,” I say. “The Kryodian has always loyally served the throne. Quellos would not send you away unbidden.”
“It happened only a fortnight ago. Several of us heard word from friends and family in Autumn of this deadly frost. I wanted to take the Riders to investigate, but Quellos said he’d sent his own soldiers out. But every time they returned, they said there was no danger.” Fury etches across Eirik’s features. “We went over the border without permission and found dozens of these monsters. When I returned to the capital to confront the vizier, he banished our entire unit for warmongering.”
A polar bear stomps its huge paws and huffs. I take in a shaky breath, my mind roaring with anger and confusion. “Quellos cannot make such decisions. Please, I urge you to come back to Coppershire. I have aligned with the High Prince of Autumn to find an end to this devastation.”
“With all due respect, Your Highness,” Eirik says as he leaps back upon the moose, “we have been banished from Winter. Now, we no longer serve a High Prince. We are on our own quest to purge the lands of these monstrosities.” He puts on his helmet and shakes his head solemnly. “Quellos betrayed our loyalty. And the Protector of the Realms has not shown himself to be faithful to the people of Winter. So we will remain on our own.” He turns his steed and gives me one final look. “I wish you well, Keldarion.” Then he raises his hand in the air. “Riders, with me!”
In a roaring crescendo, the cavalry thunders away, disappearing over the hill.
I stand still, unable to move. Thoughts hover at the back of my mind, but it’s like a frosted glaze separates them from my awareness. “My own people would rather be renegades than serve me.”
Ezryn grabs my shoulders. “Kel, listen to me. Quellos is keeping something from you. His stewardship of Winter must be called into question.”
“You’re right. I have given him too much power. I will go to him at once.”
“Tomorrow,” Ezryn says and looks to the sky. The sun is hidden by the dark clouds, casting shadows over the rolling hills. “Tonight, we have a bargain to uphold.”
The full moon. Caspian’s Revelry Day party. As much as this business with Quellos troubles me, I will take no chances with Farron’s bargain. I will not give the Prince of Thorns a reason to break his deal with the Autumn Prince.
Ezryn sheathes his sword and starts walking south in the direction of Coppershire. I trail him in silence, when suddenly he tilts his helm toward me. “Kel?”
“Hmm?”
“For what it’s worth,” he mumbles, “I may not be your people. But I will follow you.”
“Even to the Below?”
“Even to the Below.”