Page 6 of A Dream of Snow

After I finished with the fire, I started making dinner, cutting chunks of meat and potatoes into a pot of water. Then, I hung itover the fire and began to slice a loaf of bread. When the soup was bubbling away, I skewered the bread on sticks, toasted them over the fire, and slathered them with fresh butter from the crock that Borea’s servants had tucked into the food basket. By the time the others were finished with the traps and tents, the soup was ready. I ladled bowls for everyone and then handed out the bread. After we ate, we settled down around the fire and drank tea while we talked.

“We need to stand watch,” Bran said. “Regardless of the traps, we don’t want to give Karehl any chance to surprise us.”

“I thought you said it would take a couple days for them to reach our camp?” Fenling asked.

Quen cleared his throat. “Normally, yes, but even though we have no magic, the woods themselves are magical. I don’t want to take any chances. Bran’s right—we need to keep watch.”

Fenling set down her mug of tea. “Is Karehl our only enemy out here? I have no idea what dangers are hiding in this forest.”

I stood, stretching. In my bones, I could feel the energy of the woodland transforming. It moved around us like a serpent, a subtle shift that felt like it was wrapping us up in a cocoon.

Reaching out, I tried to sense what was happening.

The wind began to speak, that constant susurration that never stopped. But now, instead of just the whistling currents, voices echoed in a breezy stream. As I looked around, every log covered with snow, every tree cloaked in white, seemed to be alert and watching us. I squinted and caught a faint glimpse of translucent creatures formed from ice itself. They darted from snow to tree trunk to branch in what appeared to be a frenzied dance. I stared at them for a moment until one looked directly at me. In a fraction of a second, they froze, then vanished from sight.

“What’s wrong?” Bran asked.

“I don’t think we’re alone,” I said, cautiously looking around. “I just saw some sort of creature. They remind me of the astra—the little folk of legend, but they were just outlines, as though they were made of ice, and they were darting from tree trunk to tree trunk, almost as though they were part of some dance.”

“Then that answers Fenling’s question. We aren’t alone. I don’t know if they’re dangerous, but we have company. And there may be other creatures lurking in the forest. We can’t assume that my brother is our only danger here.” Bran gestured for Quen to follow him. “Let’s make the rounds before it gets any darker. It’s going to be a long, cold night, but at least the tents and blankets are warm.”

As the two men made the rounds, Fenling and I stoked the fire and cleaned the dishes. We’d finished the soup, so we filled the pot with snow and set it in the coals to boil off any crusted-on food particles.

“How long before Karehl comes looking for us?” I asked.

“As soon as he’s able,” Fenling said. “Bran’s right. Karehl won’t wait for us to find him. He’ll be on the move as soon as he can sense where we are. That means we play defense, rather than offense. In some ways, that gives us the edge. He’ll be so fixated on finding us that he’ll let his guard down. Karehl doesn’t stop to think. He just…does.”

“Then, we hope for that. What do you think he’ll expectusto do?” I asked. “How does Karehl view Bran?”

Fenling thought for a moment. “He underestimates Bran. Karehl’s ego won’t allow him to believe that Bran could be stronger or smarter. Andthatwill work to our advantage, as well.”

Bran and Quen returned. We gathered around the campfire.

“I know they can’t possibly be here yet,” I said, “but…can you sense them near?”

Bran shook his head. “No, and unless they get help from the forest spirits, I don’t expect to see them until day after tomorrow. Shall we discuss the hunt?”

“To the death,” San said as he polished his dagger with a soft cloth. “That’s the only outcome. We’re in this until you or your brother dies. I don’t think there’s much to discuss.”

“I know this is an obvious question,” I said. “But why a blood hunt? Why not battle it out in an arena?”

Fenling placed a hand over mine. “This is the tradition of our people. We live for the chase. The Wolf People have always settled matters of this nature with a blood hunt, and we always will. It sings to our blood, our very souls.”

I let out a long breath. “I can accept that, even if I don’t understand it.”

“Good,” Bran said. “Because you belong to our people now, and when we marry, you’ll be expected to uphold these traditions with dignity, grace, and acceptance.” He caught my gaze. “Which I know you can—andwill—do.”

I nodded. “I will.”

“Then, let me tell you everything I can think of about Karehl.” Bran paused. “He has a slight loss of hearing in his right ear. He was hit in the head when we were younger—a tree branch fell on him, and it caused some hearing issues. He also has a tendency to freeze when he’s startled—not for long, but if you see him before he sees you, that could give you an advantage. And seconds make a difference.”

“I know we discussed this, but can you go over it again?” I asked. “Doyouhave to kill him? What if…say…San, or I find him first?”

“The rules are simple but clear. The first to die—Karehl or me—marks the end of the hunt. It doesn’t matter who takes us. The four of you are part of me for this hunt. You’re my arms, my legs, my eyes and ears. The same for Karehl’s group.”

“What happens to his men if we kill Karehl, but they’re still alive?” I asked.

“They will be exiled to Swelan permanently. They’ll be watched closely for the rest of their lives but given a chance to settle in and become part of society. That goes for the four of you, if I’m killed. If I die,noneof us—nor the Lorani back in the castle—will ever see Eleago again. But that would be just as well, given what Karehl would do to you if you returned to the castle.” Bran leaned back against a rock, staring at the fire. “This is a road I never expected to travel. I thought we’d escape here, gather our resources, and then return to attempt a coup.”

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