Page 40 of Frostforge: Passage Four
Finally, after what seemed an eternity of drills, Senna stepped back and addressed her squadron.
"That's enough for today," she called, voice carrying across the stone yard."Remember your watch rotation.I want everyone in their quarters reviewing defensive formations before lights out.Dismissed."
The soldiers dispersed with military efficiency, filing past Luna and Thalia with curious glances but saying nothing.Senna remained in the center of the yard, her silhouette stark against the deepening twilight as she rolled her shoulders and began collecting discarded training weapons.
"Let's go," Luna murmured, pushing away from the wall.
Thalia followed, crossing the yard with measured steps.Senna didn't look up as they approached, methodically gathering shields and stacking them against a rack.
"This better be good," she muttered when they were within earshot, sweat beading at her temples, her dark braid damp and clinging to her neck.Her armor was scuffed with the day's exertion, and a fresh bruise darkened along her jawline."I have a shift on the wall in ten."
Thalia held out the crumpled note, her voice pitched low.She didn't bother with pleasantries."We found this attached to a gull that was flying toward the academy.Do you recognize the handwriting?"
Senna's eyes flicked from the paper to Thalia's face, measuring.With a sharp movement, she snatched the note from Thalia's fingers, scanning the cryptic lines.
You are instructed to escalate tensions between Northern and Southern students.
Succeed, and you will be rewarded.
Her expression darkened as she read it again, the hard line of her brows drawing tighter.The wind picked up around them, sending loose strands of Senna's hair dancing across her face, but she didn't move to brush them away.
"No idea who wrote it," she finally said, voice flat."But whoever did has too much nerve."She handed the note back, fingers brushing Thalia's with uncharacteristic gentleness."There’s treason afoot.Have you brought this to Wolfe?To Calloway?”
“Either of them could be the intended recipient,” Luna said grimly.“The note talks about ‘influence’ within Frostforge.We can’t trust any of the instructors.”
Senna’s lips thinned, and she gave a tight nod.
"Is that all you can tell us?"Luna pressed, stepping closer, her body tense with anticipation."Have you noticed anything unusual among the Northern students?Any strange correspondence?"
Senna's eyes narrowed."You two have been investigating this?"
"As best we can," Thalia admitted, tucking the note back into her pocket."We think whoever was meant to receive this letter is a saboteur trying to destabilize Frostforge from within."
Senna snorted.“No kidding.”
“We had hoped you would help us,” Luna said.
"And what makes you think I'd do that?"Senna asked, though there was less venom in her words than usual.
Luna tilted her head."Because, whatever your faults, Drake, I don't think you want to see Frostforge torn apart from the inside.Not if it helps the Wardens gather strength."
A muscle worked in Senna's jaw.She glanced toward the darkening horizon, beyond which lay the vast, treacherous sea where Isle Warden ships prowled.
"I want to be kept up to date on whatever you find," she said at last."In exchange, I'll help."She turned back to them, eyes glinting like steel in the growing darkness."I'm on watch every night.I see who comes and goes.And no one thinks twice about a soldier overhearing things."
Luna gave a small nod of approval, impressed despite herself."You'd be useful.But if you turn this into a personal crusade —"
"I don't care about glory," Senna cut her off, voice like iron."I care about getting whoever's behind this before someone else gets killed."She adjusted her armor with a grimace.
"We need to watch for birds," Luna said, her mind clearly racing ahead."Inbound gulls, or outgoing ravens heading west toward the sea rather than north into the Reaches.Any communication in or out of Frostforge could be significant."
Senna nodded."I can intercept messages.No one questions a soldier doing her duty."Her lips curved into something almost feral."Always wanted to read everyone's mail."
"Keep a low profile," Luna warned."If our saboteur realizes we're onto them, they'll change tactics."
"I know how to be discreet," Senna scoffed.She glanced at the sky, judging the time."I need to get to my post.We'll meet again — tomorrow, after final bells.The old storeroom by the south tower.No one uses it anymore."
Without waiting for confirmation, she strode past them, armor gleaming dully in the fading light.At the edge of the yard, she paused, looking back over her shoulder.
