Page 43 of Ties of Frost

As expected, the cut didn’t go deep. The transformation had thickened the wolf’s hide into leather-like armor. Still, some of its gray fur fell to the ground, and blood dripped from my sword.

I whirled to face the monster. It crouched to leap, but a blast of sharp icicles pelted its side. Some bounced off the tough skin; others pierced it, but not deeply. The icy assault was enough to send the wolf stumbling sideways.

Kyrundar marched closer, a sword in each hand, blue eyes glowing. He held his left sword in front of him, two fingers raised off the grip as he concentrated his magic into pushing the icicles that had stuck in the monster even deeper.

Senseless and enraged, the wolf turned away from me to charge at the new threat. I swung and sliced deep into its gnarled back leg. My blade stuck in the bone.

I muttered a curse and yanked hard.

Snarling, the monster twisted to swipe toward me with elongated claws. My heart rammed against my ribs. With another fierce tug, my blade came free, and I stumbled out of the reach of its paw just as Kyrundar slashed both of his swords across the wolf’s side.

The monster howled as if it still felt some pain. Jaws snapping, it lunged toward Kyrundar, but its back leg collapsed, and he easily stepped out of its reach. I stabbed at the base of its skull, but it moved at the last moment. My blade grazed the side of its neck and thudded into the dirt.

This time, I freed my weapon in moments.

Kyrundar encased the beast’s head and front legs in solid ice. Its back legs, even the half-severed one, thrashed and tried to kick off the ice. He raised the ice, pulling the overgrown wolf with it, and slammed it back down, this time on its side with its underbelly toward me.

I thrust my sword through its ribs and into its heart.

After a moment, the monster went still. I withdrew my sword with some effort, and then Kyrundar melted the ice.

A cheer mixed with relieved weeping went up behind us. We turned to find the villagers—men, women, and children—running toward us. I sent Kyrundar a dry look and he returned it, neither of us needing to voice our thoughts.

Why was it so hard for people to stay safely in their homes? But no, they always had to come out and watch the rengiri work, forgetting they were putting themselves in harm’s way and thereby making our job harder.

Ah, well. This one had held little danger as far as monster fights went.

I pulled on the pleasant smile I’d learned to use to reassure fearful citizens and ensure that grateful citizens didn’t misinterpret my usual serious expression as disregard or boredom.

“Thank you, and praise be to Iskyr!” Allinde said,standing a little in front of the others. Apparently the village had deemed him the spokesperson since he had found us. “Please, what are your names so we can give thanks for you and ask Iskyr’s blessings upon you?” His shoulders hitched up toward his ears as he smiled. “I’d thought perhaps you were Kyrmaris themselves, but I suppose you’re not a wyvern shifter, lady rengir.”

My smile froze awkwardly on my lips, brittle as charcoal. Lying went against my vows, at least unless someone’s life was in danger—but only my pride was at risk.

“We’re humbled you recognized us,” Kyrundar said, sounding far too jolly. “A single void wolf isn’t too much of a threat to a rengir, so this was a perfect opportunity for Zidra to keep her sword skills in top form. She’s far too talented a warrior to need to bring out her wyvern form for every fight.”

None of that was a lie, but it skirted the truth so well it felt like one. I discreetly bumped my elbow against his side, but he just grinned at me.

The confirmation of our identities sent the villagers into a further tizzy. Several pushed in close to touch us. I worked to keep my smile in place, hoping it didn’t look too much like a grimace, and tried not to panic or shove the flailing hands away. They didn’t mean any harm. Some likely hoped touching a Merit recipient might bring Iskyr’s blessing.

But I wasn’t a miracle-working prophetess. I was a rengir who wouldn’t be so well known if it weren’t for the ice elf at my side. I was a wyveri who couldn’t shift becauseshe’d gotten distracted during a fight and gotten cursed as a result. The smell of people crowding around combined with the void-tainted blood of the monster behind us, the cacophony of voices thanking us, blessing us, inviting us into their homes, or asking for our prayers, and the sensation of fingers brushing against or clasping at my armor and clothing made me want to scream. Or fly away.

My breaths came shorter and faster.

Snowflakes in an icy wind swirled around me and Kyrundar. People drew back from the cold, affording us a little space.

“Good people, we accept your thanks, but regretfully, we must depart,” he said, his effortless smile mocking the way my hands were starting to shake. “Zidra and I are your humble servants, merely doing Iskyr’s will to protect your village, and now we must continue, for we need to be elsewhere.”

“Here, take this!” An older woman shoved a small pouch toward Kyrundar.

Kyrundar shook his head and softened his smile. “We do not need and will not accept payment. Our duty is to protect the people, and our reward is Iskyr’s approval and blessings now and in the afterlife. We desire no reward.”

Except the Emperor’s Merit. My already fraying mental state cracked further.

Had I forgotten my calling and vows and made the Merit my true goal, rather than pleasing Iskyr and protecting people for the sake of those people? If the emperor or anyone else never saw my value, shouldn’t that bother meless than whether I did what was right—and for the right reasons?

The old woman pushed the bag into Kyrundar’s hands. “Not a reward or payment. A thank offering to Iskyr and a donation to the Order of the Rengir, so that you may have what you need to help others in the future.”

Kyrundar bowed over the little bag in his hands. “Iskyr smiles upon your generous heart, and Zidra Eilmaris and I thank you for your kindness.” He turned to me and held out his hand.

---