Forged in Frost

Facing the Monster

Evelyn remains outside all night, even when Alec joins her to keep watch. She lies down on her side in the weeds and shuts her eyes for a few moments, but it's all the sleep she gets. Thankfully, it is free of nightmares.

As dawn spreads, Asher calls them together for a meeting on what they must do next. To prevent Leo from overhearing, Caius ties the old, rat-eaten blanket around his head to muffle their voices. He isn't careful about it either. Evelyn thinks he might have tied a lock of his hair inside the knot on purpose, just to yank it out when he pulled it tight. But no one objects.

Still, Asher speaks quietly, standing with the rest of them just outside the cabin door. "We won't be able to get far without Leo's input. What we know of Esterden is very limited. We don't know where Ilvara or Hadrian are being kept, if they want ransom, if they're just holding them until they secure new leadership for Lockmire on their own terms..."

"I can make him talk," Caius suggests.

"Wouldn't want to know how," Alec says in an undertone, still in the dark about all of Leo's crimes.

"It might have to do," Asher says. "Get the information we need, then we can proceed from there."

"I suppose we can't just march up to Esterden and demand our count and countess back," Evelyn says.

"They'll have captured them for a reason. But I do want them to know I'm still alive," Asher replies. "I can help negotiate terms. There's no one left in Lockmire's leadership to ask."

Evelyn wonders if everyone from the castle is dead. She briefly realizes she'd forgotten about Grogar. Blasted Orc probably ran down to get his hands dirty in a real fight, ignoring his duty to Ilvara. At least he probably died in that fight.

Caius takes out his sword eagerly. "I'd suggest you all take a walk. I don't think Leo will like our conversation very much."

"I'll join you," Asher says, with a grim kind of relish, drawing his own sword.

Evelyn feels an odd mixture of emotions. Gratitude at their protective zeal. Repulsion at what they'll do, even to Leo. But if it means getting them closer to Ilvara, let them at it. As always, they know what they're doing.

"Want to walk to the stream?" Alec suggests.

"Right behind you," says Evelyn.

Their conversation is light, inconsequential, but filled with unspoken tension. Evelyn's ears are keen for any noise from the cabin's direction, despite not wanting to hear anything.

As she splashes her face in the stream water, a distant cry reaches her. A muted sound of pain. She straightens slowly.

Alec pauses in running water through his sandy hair. Water drips down his forehead.

"He deserves it," he says, almost to himself. "For betraying Lockmire."

And much more, Evelyn thinks. "Yes, he deserves it."

"I can't believe he was once our friend. I broke bread with him. We shared our problems with each other. Secrets..."

"I hope nothing too important," Evelyn says.

Alec shifts uncomfortably. "Just some girl stuff."

Evelyn hopes desperately it has nothing to do with her. Still, she can't help feeling curious. "Did Leo ever...talk about me?"

"Sometimes." Alec focuses on the stream again, dipping his fingers in the water. "Stuff that's only making sense now that he's committed treason."

Evelyn can only imagine. "I felt that things were changing recently. But I didn't know how much."