𝕾𝖍𝖗𝖔𝖚𝖉𝖘 - 𝙺𝚊𝚣 𝙱𝚛𝚎𝚔𝚔𝚎𝚛

VII

Brekker's already watching her. "What was that?"

She shrugs innocently. "No idea, but he had it coming." She looks down at Wylan's drawing of the Ice Court. "Looks fun." She hops up onto the far end of the table and crosses her legs, resting her drink, thankfully unspilled, between her legs.

Matthias watches her like she's a dangerous sea snake. Mira watches him, unblinking like the creature, and he looks back at the plans. "The buildings of the outer circle surround the ice moat, and at the center is the White Island, where the treasury and the Royal Palace are. It's the most secure place in the Ice Court."

"Then that's where Bo Yul-Bayur will be," says Brekker.

Matthias bares his teeth like a wolf. "Then your quest is pointless. There is no way a group of foreigners is going to make it to the White Island."

"Don't look so pleased, Helvar. We don't get inside, you don't get your pardon."

The drüskelle shrugs. "I can't change what is true. The ice moat is watched from multiple guard towers and the White Island and a lookout atop the Elderclock. It's completely uncrossable except by way of the glass bridge, and there's no way onto the bridge without clearance."

"Hringkälla is coming," Nina says.

"Be silent!" Matthias snaps.

"Pray don't," Brekker motions for her to continue.

Nina explains the Fjerdan holiday. Mira gets sidetracked by an interesting pattern in the wood. Her mother already taught her these things.

Inej's voice, just as soft as her footfalls, slides Mira out of her lack of thoughts. "You've never seen Fjerdan soldier's on the Staves?"

Mira has. She's pretty sure she's killed a good few.

"I meant when they're at home," Jesper clarifies.

"It's the one day a year they all stop acting so miserable and actually let themselves have a good time," Nina explains further. "Besides, only the drüskelle live like monks."

"A good time needn't involve wine and...and flesh." Matthias sputters.

Nina bats her glossy lashes. "You wouldn't know a good time if it sidled up to you and stuck a lollipop in your mouth."

Mira snorts, trying to not spit her drink all over the plans. Yep, they were together at one point.

"The embassy gate will have to be open," Nina turns back to the plans. "Maybe we shouldn't worry about breaking into the Ice Court. Maybe we should just walk in with the performers."

"This isn't the Hellshow." Brekker shoots down her idea, already having gone through that idea and probably five others. "It won't be that easy."

"Visitors are vetted weeks before they arrive at the Ice Court," Matthias adds. "Anyone entering the embassy will have their papers checked and checked again. Fjerdans aren't fools."

Nina beats Mira to the insult. "Not all of them at least."

"Don't poke the bear, Nina," Brekker says. "We need him friendly. When does this party take place?"

"Spring equinox," Mira gurgles around her drink. Matthias looks at her like she just crawled out of the canals and asked him what the weather is. "What? I can't know random facts about your country?"

"So that's two weeks from today," Inej notes.

Brekker looks into the distance, focused on nothing, his head cocked to the side as he thinks.