Page 132 of Frozen Hearts and Death Magic

“You think I care about this nonsense?”

“Everyone does.”

“Go, River.” Ciara, who had been quiet until now, stood next to him. “I know you want to make things right.”

“Of course I do.”

He followed his brother into a small room by the Ancient hall. There, he saw his father and Hazela, their most respected magic scholar.

She stared at him. “Where did you get this from?”

“A block of ice in the dragon lords’ palace.”

The scholar nodded. “It’s the one.”

His father put a hand on River’s shoulder. “You did well, son.”

Son. He hadn’t called him that in years, and yet, it didn’t feel as good as expected. River just nodded.

The magic scholar stared at him. “You’ll have to wield it. In one of our circles, at dusk, you’ll have to hit the ground with it.”

“A circle as close to Mount Prime as possible,” his father added.

His heart beat faster. “In Ironhold?”

The woman shook her head. “Wildspring should do. It’s still dangerous, but you won’t be there for long.” She handed him a piece of paper. “These are the words.” Old Elvish symbols. “Can you read this language?” she asked.

“Yes.” In fact, some of the letters were similar to Fernian, and he knew how to pronounce them even if he didn’t understand their meaning.

Hazela nodded. “So it’s as simple as that.”

River took the paper, an empty feeling in his stomach. “And that will counter the human’s magic?”

“It will defeat it, son. It will assure our victory.” There was pride in his father’s voice, in his eyes. River would be lying if he said he didn’t enjoy the chance of being the one to save his people, being the one his father trusted.

“Tomorrow is when you should go,” the woman said. “We’re lucky the full moon is so close. At dusk. Make sure it’s not night or day.”

“Can I read it, or should I memorize it?”

She sighed. “Memorize it, but don’t say it out loud when you’re practicing. Words are powerful. You don’t want to waste the spell. And keep it a secret.”

That didn’t make much sense. “Shouldn’t we tell our people? Give them hope?”

His father tapped River’s shoulder. “They’ll know it when it’s time to know.”

River walked back to his room, and since Ciara was still there, he ended up telling everything to her.

She was thoughtful. “Why do you think Forest changed his mind?”

“They probably said it had to be whoever took the staff? Maybe he’s afraid of being alone in a circle? What do I know?”

“Hmm…” She bit her lip. “Can you check if maybe this is dangerous?”

“Ciara. Even if I die, I’ll do this if it means our victory.”

She glared at him. “Don’t be silly.”

“It’s not silly. It’s the truth.”

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