Page 10 of Frostforge: Passage Four
Thalia allowed the change of subject, recognizing his need to regain his footing.But as they slipped into safer conversation, she couldn't shake the chill that had settled between her shoulders.She'd delivered her warning, but whether it would be enough — whether Roran would truly heed it — remained to be seen.
CHAPTER FIVE
The Crystalline Plateau stretched before Thalia like a vast, unforgiving mirror, its ice-strewn surface capturing the pale winter light and throwing it back in fractured shards.Her squad stood at attention beside her, a mismatched collection of talent and tension — Daniel and Felah shifting nervously from foot to foot, their Southern blood rebelling against the Northern chill, while Rasmus and Sigrid stood rigid and distant, as if proximity to their Southern squadmates might somehow taint them.From their perch atop the Smith's Anvil, Instructors Calloway and Wolfe surveyed the training grounds with predatory patience, their breath fogging in the crisp air as they waited for failure to reveal itself.
Thalia forced her jaw to unclench.The Command Challenge was meant to test her leadership, not her ability to endure the silent mutiny of her Northern recruits.She could feel Rasmus's disdain like a physical weight against her back, his eyes boring into her as if he could will her into submission through sheer contempt.Beside him, Sigrid's copper hair blazed against the white landscape, her freckled face set in permanent disapproval.
"Attention," came Calloway's voice, cutting through the brittle air."Einar's squad, step forward."
Thalia watched as Einar and his four recruits moved into position with military precision.Einar stood tall, his pale features set in determined concentration as he directed his squad with subtle hand signals.They fanned out into a perfect diamond formation, weapons raised.
At Calloway's command, four ice-bronze golems lumbered onto the plateau.Their massive frames gleamed in the winter light, each movement accompanied by the grinding of metal against ice.These were training constructs, designed to test combat skills without inflicting permanent damage, but their bulk and cold, expressionless faces still struck fear into the hearts of first-years.
"Begin," Wolfe called, her voice carrying across the plateau like the crack of a whip.
Einar's squad moved like dancers in a well-rehearsed performance.Two recruits darted forward, drawing the golems' attention while the others circled behind.Their blades flashed, striking at the vulnerable joints where ice met bronze.Each blow was calculated, each movement synchronized with their squadmates.Thalia couldn't help but admire their efficiency, even as resentment coiled in her gut.This was what she had hoped to achieve with her own squad, but her trainings had devolved into tense standoffs and half-hearted compliance.
When Einar called for his squad to retreat and regroup, they did so without hesitation, falling back into formation before launching another coordinated assault.Within minutes, they had disabled all four golems, forcing them to their knees through strategic strikes rather than brute force.
Applause rippled through the watching students.Einar acknowledged it with a small bow, the ghost of a smug smile playing at his lips as his eyes met Thalia's across the plateau.The message was clear: *This is how a leader commands respect.*
"Well executed," Calloway declared, her icy blue eyes revealing nothing of her thoughts."Efficient use of terrain and excellent coordination.Your squad has clearly been well-prepared, Frostborne."
Thalia swallowed hard, the praise for her rival landing like a blow.She felt Daniel shift nervously beside her and heard Felah's shaky exhale.Her Southern recruits were overwhelmed; her Northern ones, underwhelmed.And she had only minutes to bring them together before —
"Greenspire's squad, you're next."
Her name echoed across the plateau, leaving silence in its wake.Thalia stepped forward, her four recruits following with varying degrees of enthusiasm.She positioned herself behind them, as was required for the exercise — leaders were to direct, not dominate.
"Remember," she said, keeping her voice steady, "stick to the plan.Daniel, keep your guard up like we practiced.Felah, stay close to him.Rasmus and Sigrid, cover the flanks."
Daniel nodded, his bronze skin flushed with nervous energy.Felah clutched her ice-steel blade with white knuckles, her slight frame almost disappearing within her academy uniform.Behind them, Rasmus exchanged a look with Sigrid that Thalia pretended not to see.
The golems reset themselves, rising to their full height with mechanical precision.Thalia felt her heart rate increase.This was the moment — their first true test as a squad.Everything until now had been practice, theory, arguments over technique and authority.Now they would either function as a unit or fail spectacularly.
"Begin," Wolfe commanded.
Her squad moved forward, spreading out as they had practiced.Daniel approached the first golem with his shield raised, his stance low and defensive as Thalia had shown him.He was trying — she could see it in the careful placement of his feet, the deliberate angle of his shield — but his confidence faltered as the golem swung its massive arm.Daniel's parry came too late, and he staggered backward, barely keeping his footing.
"Keep your shield up!"Thalia called."Remember to anticipate, not just react!"
Daniel nodded, determination flashing across his features as he re-engaged.This time, his shield met the golem's blow squarely, and he managed to deflect it rather than absorb the full force.
Thalia allowed herself a moment of satisfaction before turning her attention to the rest of her squad.Rasmus and Sigrid had positioned themselves back-to-back, fighting in perfect sync — with each other.They made no attempt to coordinate with Daniel or Felah, creating a divide in the squad that left vulnerabilities.
"Rasmus, support Daniel's left!"Thalia called, trying to knit her fragmented squad together."Sigrid, watch Felah's flank!"
Neither Northerner acknowledged her commands.Sigrid actually turned her back more deliberately, shifting to face away from Felah, who was struggling with the smallest of the golems.
Frustration rose in Thalia's throat like bile.She opened her mouth to order them again, more forcefully this time —
Crack.
The sound split the air, sharp and final.Thalia's gaze snapped to Felah just in time to see the girl's blade shatter against the golem's arm, ice-steel fragments exploding outward like deadly stars.One sliced across Felah's cheek, leaving a thin line of crimson.
Time seemed to slow.
Thalia was no longer on the plateau but back in her first year, her own blade shattering in her hands during the Frost Walk trial.The sting of betrayal, the knowledge that someone had sabotaged her weapon — it all rushed back with paralyzing clarity.She remembered the feel of the compromised metal in her hands, the subtle wrongness she had been too inexperienced to act upon.
