Page 12 of Frostforge, Passage Six
Before she could answer, a fresh wave of shouts rose from the direction of the harbor.The sound had a different quality now—triumph rather than fear, victory rather than desperation.
"The Wardens are retreating," she said, understanding dawning."They're falling back to the harbor."
As if in confirmation, a group of former prisoners rushed past the mouth of the side street, makeshift weapons raised, pursuing black-armored figures who no longer fought but fled.The teenagers glanced at each other, then at the bodies of their captors, a new resolve hardening their features.
"We should join them," the girl said, reclaiming the Warden sword from Thalia's hand.Her grip was steadier now, her shock transforming into something colder, more focused."Make sure they don't come back."
Thalia nodded, unable to argue with the hard logic of survival.Together, they joined the growing tide of people flooding toward the harbor, where the last of the Warden guards were being driven back onto the docks with nowhere left to retreat.
The scene that greeted them was one of improbable victory.Hundreds of former prisoners had converged on the harbor, overwhelming the Warden defenders through sheer numbers.Bodies in black armor littered the docks, while the surviving guards had retreated to the few small boats still moored at the piers.Even these were being overtaken, prisoners wading into the shallows to drag the fleeing Wardens back to face retribution.
Thalia pushed through the crowd, searching for any sign of her mother or sister among the triumphant faces.Instead, she collided with a familiar figure—Ashe, her distinctive red-streaked hair coming loose from its bindings, a borrowed sword clutched in her hand.Blood spattered her stolen Warden armor, none of it appearing to be her own.Behind her, warhammer in hand, was Kaine, his usual stoic expression shattered by relief.He let out a breath.
"Thalia… thank the Founders, you’re okay.”
Ashe seized Thalia’s arm."What in the frozen hells is happening?I was at the eastern docks when I heard the alarms, and suddenly the whole city is in chaos!"
"I freed some prisoners," Thalia explained, the words sounding inadequate even to her own ears."At the market square—I was discovered, and I had to—"
"Of course you did," Ashe interrupted, her green eyes narrowing."Whatever happened to meeting back at the cove?Three hours, remember?That was the plan."
"Plans change," Thalia countered, gesturing toward the liberated prisoners around them."I was cornered.This wasn't...I didn't plan this, but it happened, and now—"
A cry of dismay rose from the crowd at the harbor's edge, cutting off her explanation.The people there had gone suddenly still, faces turned toward the sea, expressions shifting from triumph to dread.Thalia pushed forward, Ashe and Kaine at her shoulders, until they could see what had caused the change.
At the mouth of the harbor, a line of ships approached—not just the four that had formed the blockade, but more.Many more.At least twelve vessels cut through the water, their black sails billowing, their decks crowded with reinforcements.The setting sun glinted off weapons and armor, transforming the approaching fleet into a dark tide rimmed with fire.
"We need to get these people out of here," Thalia whispered, horror dawning as she calculated the odds.The freed prisoners had overcome the city's occupiers through surprise and numbers, but against fresh troops—trained Wardens arriving in force—they stood no chance.
Behind her, a group of teenagers—the same ones she had helped free from the pen—dropped their weapons and turned to flee.Their path was blocked by an older man, his face weather-beaten, his hands calloused from years working the docks.
"You can't run," he said, his voice rough with exhaustion and something like despair."There's nowhere to go.You stand no chance at their wall."
"Wall?"Thalia asked, turning toward him."What wall?"
The man's eyes found hers."The Wardens built a barrier around the entire city within days of taking it.Twelve feet high, constantly guarded.They use their storm magic to keep it electrified—anyone who touches it dies instantly."
Thalia felt the blood drain from her face."The entire city?It's completely enclosed?"
"Completely," he confirmed."No way in, no way out—except through the harbor’s mouth, which they control absolutely."
The implications crashed over her like ice water.She had freed these people from their pens, had helped them reclaim their city for a few brief, glorious hours—but they were still prisoners.The cage had simply grown larger.
And now, reinforcements were coming.Fresh troops who would recapture every person who had dared to rise up, who would punish them in ways Thalia could barely imagine.
Her eyes met Kaine's, and she saw the same horrified understanding reflected there.They had won a battle only to discover that the war was unwinnable.They were all trapped in Verdant Port, with a wall at their backs and a fleet of Warden ships bearing down upon them.
CHAPTER SIX
Thalia’s throat felt tight as her mind scrambled for options.She had started this prison riot; whatever happened to these people now was her responsibility.She needed a strategy, an opening.But she could think of none.
Then, without warning, a monstrous wave, taller than the harbor's highest mast, rose from the sea.It hung suspended for a breath, a wall of water silhouetted against the dying sun, before crashing down upon the centermost Warden ship with the force of divine judgment.Timber splintered, sails ripped, and the black vessel capsized with a groan that Thalia felt in her bones.The freed prisoners around her gasped as one, their moment of defeat transforming into bewildered hope as a familiar schooner burst through the mist, its prow cutting the waves like a blade, sails billowing against the crimson sky.
Thalia's heart stuttered in her chest.She knew that ship.Knew the figure standing at its helm, arms raised to the storm-darkened heavens, lightning crackling between his splayed fingers.
Roran.
Her knees nearly buckled beneath her, relief flooding her system like a physical force.He hadn't abandoned them.Against impossible odds, he'd returned, bringing storm and fury with him.
