Page 55 of Frostforge: Passage Two

The twisting sensation in Thalia’s gut intensified.Kaine’s fingers were still resting gently on Senna’s forearm; his eyes were on her.Since Thalia had arrived at Frostforge, her current-sensing ability had been her greatest source of pride, a shield against the constant accusations of inferiority that the Northerners hurled her way.And Kaine… Kaine had been impressed by that ability, drawn to her by a skill that Thalia had thought unique.

He’s just as impressed by Senna,Thalia realized, the thought discomfiting.That’s why he’s been defending her.He respects her talent — maybe even trusts her more than he trusts me.A cold wave of doubt washed over her, but she forced herself to stay grounded.This was bigger than jealousy.This was about the truth hidden beneath the surface, about alliances shifting like fragile ice.

"When I realized the weapons were being replaced with inferior metals," Senna continued, her voice dropping to a controlled intensity, "I knew I had to act.Not just because of the theft — because of what it meant."She gestured sharply at the piles of weapons."These aren't just disappearing.They're being sold.To Isle Wardens."

"How do you know that?"Thalia asked.The ledger Luna had found seemed to dance before her eyes, evidence that Senna couldn’t have possibly seen.

"Because I tracked a shipment," Senna said."I followed the trail to the coast.Saw the exchange myself."Her face contorted in disgust."Northern students, selling our own weapons to the enemy.Using accusations against that Warden boy as cover."

Thalia's mind raced back to Roran, accused of being an Isle Warden spy.The convenient target.The easy scapegoat.“Roran’s not an Isle Warden,” she snapped.

"I suspected it was a trio of second-years," Senna continued as if Thalia hadn't spoken."Nash Ironhall and his hangers-on.But I needed proof before I made accusations."Her lips pressed into a thin line."I was getting close.And then you two started your nonsense with that traced blade.."

For a moment, Kaine looked genuinely apologetic."She’s innocent, Thalia."

Thalia let out a breath, her certainty wavering."Luna brought me a ledger earlier today," she said slowly, watching their reactions."It had a list of names connected to the smuggling operation.Nash's was on it."

Senna's eyes widened, genuine surprise crossing her features before they hardened again into determination."That's the confirmation I needed.Nash and his two friends.”

Thalia felt a grudging respect for Senna's insight."We should take our evidence to—" Thalia began but was cut off by a grinding sound behind her.

She whirled to see the iron door sealing shut, trapping them inside the chamber.The scrape of metal on stone drew their attention to the shadows on the far side of the room.

Three figures stepped into the dim light.Nash stood at the center, flanked by two other Northern students Thalia recognized from the advanced classes.His usual sneer had transformed into something more calculated, more dangerous.

"Well, well," Nash said, his voice echoing off the ancient walls."What a convenient gathering.The Southern street trash, the busybody, and the murderer."He looked around at the stolen weapons with a proprietary air."I see you've found our little operation."

Kaine moved beside Thalia, his body tense."How did you find us?"

“I followed you,” Nash sneered.“You weren’t exactly subtle, bumbling around the corridors instead of going up to the arena.I figured you might be onto us.”

"You're selling weapons to Isle Wardens!”Senna shouted, her voice overflowing with venom.“You’re sabotaging Frostforge’s resources!You're betraying the North!Our people!"

Nash's laugh was hollow."Our people?Who exactly are our people, Senna?The elders who preach Northern superiority while lining their pockets with Southern nobles’ gold?The generals who ally with Southern weaklings at this pathetic excuse for an academy?"He gestured dismissively."The North you believe in doesn't exist anymore.It's a fairy tale they tell children."

One of Nash's companions, a broad-shouldered boy with close-cropped blond hair, stepped forward."The Isle Wardens pay far more than any legitimate buyer would.And they were willing to pay triple if we weakened Frostforge's metals."He shrugged."Business is business."

"Business?"Senna's voice rose, vibrating with fury."You're arming the enemy!People who raid our shores kill our families!"She was trembling with rage, her hands gesturing wildly."You dishonor every warrior who's ever died defending our lands!You stain the legacy of true Northern blood!"

"Save your speeches," Nash's other companion, a thin girl with frost-white hair, sneered."The legacy of the North is profit.Always has been."

“So it was all you,” Thalia said quickly.She wanted the confirmation from his tongue, clear and indisputable.“You stole from the forges.You sabotaged the metals.”

Nash nodded, his lip curling.“Try to keep up, Southerner.It’s like Brice said.The Wardens wanted everything valuable they could take from Frostforge — but more importantly, they wanted nothing of value left behind.I told them we could help with that, and now we have enough gold between the three of us to buy our own isle off the Northern coast.”

Senna shifted her stance, and Thalia could sense her anger boiling over, like pressure building in a sealed furnace.She'd seen enough of Senna's legendary temper to recognize the signs — the rigid posture, the white-knuckled fists, the slight tremble in her frame.Senna wasn't just angry; she was incandescent with rage.

"You," Senna whispered, her voice dropping dangerously low, "are no true Northerner."

Nash's smile faltered for just a moment."And you're a fool clinging to ideals that died generations ago."He spread his hands."Look around you, Senna.This academy — this alliance between North and South — is not built on honor or tradition.It's built on convenience.On desperation, even."

“Honor and tradition," Kaine said quietly, his eyes never leaving Nash.His voice was eerily calm, a stark contrast to Senna's explosive anger."You’re not exactly upholding honor or tradition, are you, Ironhall?Seeing as you’re a simple thief."

"Far from simple," Nash replied."Do you know how long it took to adjust those alloys?How much work do we put in?"

“I don’t care how hard you worked,” Kaine growled.“A thief is a thief, and a traitor is a traitor.You don’t have an ounce of loyalty in you.”

Nash's eyes narrowed at Kaine."Bold words from a patricide.What would you know about loyalty?"

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