Chapter Text
Oskar came to Rakel’s apartments and knocked. Farrin answered. Oskar said, “The king would like you and the princess to come to the throne room.”
Farrin turned to collect Rakel, but she was already standing by the door, as ready as he was. Both hoped that today they would get word about the gladiator revolt. If all had gone to plan, the revolt should have happened two days ago. According to Farrin’s estimation, the first speed mages should have started appearing in Verglas within hours. But, so far, the royals had heard nothing.
Farrin could not resist grabbing Rakel’s hand and tapping his magic to arrive in the throne room as quickly as possible. Rakel curtsied and Farrin bowed to King Steinar, but Farrin felt disappointed to see no unfamiliar faces nearby.
King Steinar said, “Come Sister, Farrin, we are headed to the magical practice field where Farrin will get his first mentees.”
Oskar had gathered Phile and the two of them were on the field when the royals arrived. A veritable army of magical gladiators stood in formation while one of their number spoke to Halvor. Farrin felt Rakel’s hand tremble in his, but then she pulled away and stepped toward the group.
Halvor introduced her and the king to the new mages. Twenty-six mages, by Farrin’s count, bowed to the royal siblings. Twenty-six! Farrin nearly staggered at the huge number. He only hoped he was up to the task.
The apparent leader, a well-built man of average height with intense brown eyes, thick, wavy brown hair, and a strong chin covered with stubble, stepped forward. He looked battle-weary and unsure. He knelt on one knee before Rakel, and bowed his head. Behind him, the entire Sarthan contingent followed suit. The leader said quietly, “Snow Queen, may I request asylum on behalf of myself and these magic users? I will understand if you would rather we not stay.”
Farrin’s heart swelled as he watched the Snow Queen kneel before the leader and touch his shoulder. “My brother, King Steinar, and I are very happy to welcome you and your companion mages. Verglas is a safe place for those who will swear fealty to her."
Without looking up, the man said, "Thank you, Snow Queen. We will swear fealty to Verglas and give our lives for her and for you."
At his words, Rakel winced, but Farrin and Rakel had discussed what the response should be if the gladiators promised such a thing. Farrin had suggested not addressing the issue of military service right away. There would be time enough to help the former gladiators understand their options. Farrin did not want the men to think their pledge of loyalty was being rejected.
Farrin stepped close and offered his hand to steady Rakel as she rose. When she was standing, Rakel said, "Please rise.”
The leader did, and his soldiers again followed his lead. Rakel asked, “What is your name, Sir?”
Phile skipped up. "Woqhine!"
The man did not acknowledge Phile except to agree, "As the lady said, Snow Queen, I am Woqhine."
"Little Wolf, this is the guy I talked to that night when I passed off the medallion," Phile said, not caring that she had interrupted their conversation. "He's the long-time champ, from what I could figure out."
Farrin asked, “Is that why the escapees have taken you as their leader? Because you’ve been the champ for so long?”
The leader looked at Rakel, as though getting permission to answer. Rakel said, “Woqhine, forgive my poor manners. Allow me to introduce to you my husband, Prince Consort Farrin Graydim."
The leader still hesitated until Farrin said, “Answer my question, Soldier.”
“Yes, Sir.”
“And how many escaped?” Farrin asked.
“Seventy-eight, Sir.”
Rakel looked around. She said, “But there are less than thirty here. Where are the others?”
“Some were cut down by the Sarthan military.” Woqhine’s shoulders slumped, and he looked for all the world like a military commander who had lost a hard-fought battle. “Many of our company have already headed for their former homes, and some were blocked from entering Verglas by a large ice wall at the border.”
Farrin said, “I see. Are all of those who followed you ready to swear fealty to Verglas?”
Woqhine stood again at attention. “My men will do as I tell them, Sir.”
“Unacceptable, Soldier. Each of your men must make up his own mind about being in Verglas. No mage is conscripted to Verglas’ army, understood?” Farrin barked.
“Yes, Sir,” Woqhine saluted.
Farrin asked, “Which of your soldiers don’t want to be here, Woqhine?”
Woqhine spun on his heel and called the names of several of the mages. Eight men approached. Farrin looked at Rakel and said, “Snow Queen?”
Rakel took her cue. “Mages, I would love to welcome you to Verglas, but we do not want you to stay if you would prefer to be elsewhere. Would any of you like help relocating?”
After a few moments, with an embarrassed look at Woqhine, a young man stepped forward and bowed to Rakel. “Snow Queen, I am from Torrens. I want to return to my family there.”
A second mage bowed to Rakel, “Snow Queen, I would like to stay in Verglas, but I do not wish to fight.”
Emboldened, several of the other men spoke up with their own requests.
Rakel regally handled each. After each man had spoken, Woqhine dismissed the men back to the ranks.
King Steinar stepped in and said, “Gentlemen, again, welcome to Verglas. We are honored that you've chosen to make Verglas your home. When mages come here, we give them a mentor to help them feel at home in our country and with our culture. Prince Farrin will be the mentor for your group. He is uniquely qualified in that he was a gladiator in Sarthe for many years.”
Woqhine flicked his gaze from Steinar to Rakel to Farrin and back again, but he said nothing. Farrin noticed his reticence. He said, “You may speak, Soldier.”
Woqhine asked, “You, Sir, fought in Sarthe?”
Farrin nodded. “I was champion for over five years. I escaped nearly ten years ago.”
Woqhine’s eyes took on a suspicious glint. He asked, “Did you know Pitmaster Zurtio?”
Farrin knew Woqhine was testing him. “Zurtio would never be pitmaster. He detested the politics of it.”
Woqhine said, “Zurtio was always quick with the whip.”
Farrin flicked his eyes at Rakel and said, “Once, Zurtio did muscle-ups with my shift.”
Rakel said gently, “I was there when you taught Phile the code, My Love. I know when I’m not wanted." She reached up and kissed Farrin’s cheek then turned to walk away, saying, "C'mon Phile."
Farrin caught her hand. He looked into her eyes and said, "Sweet girl, I would never say I didn't want you."
She squeezed his hand and smiled. Then, she walked away.
As Rakel left, Woqhine took on a rigid stance and said, "I'm sorry, Sir."
Farrin shook his head. "No harm. I just don't talk about some things in front of the princess."
"I understand, Sir," Woqhine said.
Farrin looked pointedly at the man and said, “Master Zurtio would rather throw a punch than use his whip, if he has a choice.”
Woqhine inclined his head, apparently satisfied with the validity of Farrin’s claims. He then spoke softly, "Permission to speak freely, Sir?"
Farrin said, "You may."
He asked, “Black and blue?”
Farrin knew that black meant slavery and blue meant magic. “No, Woqhine. Mages are free here.” Farrin called for Bunny and Frodi, who were walking nearby.
The soldiers came over and bowed slightly to Farrin. “Yes, Sir?” Bunny said.
Farrin said, “Bunny, Frodi, I’d like to introduce Woqhine. Woqhine, Bunny is the leader of our magical fighting force. Frodi is a fire magic user and one of the first mages to join Verglas’ army. Woqhine’s got some questions about how mages fare in Verglas.”
Both soldiers bowed slightly. Bunny said, “Of course, Sir.”
***
Rakel walked down to the magical practice field, practically the only place she got to see her husband these days, though he was home at night. The gladiators had been in Verglas for nearly a month, and although Farrin had made sure they were aware that they did not have to join Verglas’ army, over half had chosen to join the magical fighting force. Woqhine had become the valued leader of the Sarthan contingent, which Halvor had code named the Sunshine Column.
“Hello, Beautiful,” Farrin said, coming to her and kissing her temple. He whispered in her ear, “I miss you.”
She grinned up at him. “I miss you, too. I’ll be awfully glad when things are back to normal.” Farrin had temporarily traded his typical duty as a guard in favor of working with the Sarthans. He and Halvor had been working on a specific plan to help the men integrate into regular society. Farrin had known how difficult it would be for them to go from a highly regimented life to a completely unregimented one.
“Snow Queen.” Woqhine stood just beyond Farrin and bowed to her.
“Hello, Captain Woqhine. How are you and your soldiers today?”
“We are well, Your Highness. Thank you.”
She smiled gently. “Is Farrin taking good care of you?” She squeezed her husband’s hand.
Woqhine bowed slightly. “He is, Princess.”
Rakel leaned into her husband's chest. "Are you and Halvor still planning to spar tomorrow, Love? I've had a couple of the servants ask, and I wasn't sure if you would be too busy."
Farrin let the corners of his lips tip up as he put his arm around Rakel's waist. "I'm still planning to keep our appointment, but I'm afraid the general might be ready to give up on our weekly sparring dates. I'm getting a lot more practice lately. The general doesn't stand a chance."
Halvor, joining the little group, kept his opinion to a pointedly raised eyebrow aimed at Farrin before turning to Rakel. "Excuse me, Princess," he said, bowing to her, "but the king is looking for you. He said there was no hurry, but that he'd like to see you before lunch."
"Very well, Halvor, thank you. I'll go see him shortly. Is he in the throne room?" Rakel asked.
"He is, Princess," the general answered.
“First, I'd like to know how your soldiers are adjusting to army life, Woqhine. The six that have joined the magic school are doing extraordinarily well,” Rakel said. In truth, she was not ready to leave the warmth of Farrin's arm.
Woqhine said, “Most are adjusting well, but I am worried about Tirun. He’s young and rather unsure of himself.”
“Do you think it would be better for him to join the school, Farrin?” Rakel asked.
Farrin thought for a moment. “I don’t think so. He will do better with the leadership the army offers, at least for now. Eventually, he may choose to leave the army, but he’s not ready for that yet.”
Halvor nodded. “I agree with Prince Farrin. Right now, routine is probably best for him.”
“Isn’t he just thirteen or fourteen?” Rakel asked.
“Yes, Princess. He is fourteen,” Woqhine answered.
Rakel shook her head and lamented, “He’s just a child.”
“Are you here for a reason, Love?” Farrin asked.
She feigned a hurt look. “I have to have a reason to come watch you spar, Mr. Graydim?”
He winked at her and said, “That’s not an answer.”
She grinned. " I actually had to see Bunny, but I thought I’d take my opportunity to visit you while I had it.”
He leaned down and kissed her lips. When he broke the kiss, he said, “I’m glad.”
Phile appeared out of nowhere. “Woqhine, how can you stand all this sappiness? These two are impossible.”
Woqhine shrugged, but said nothing.
Rakel laughed. “You’re just as bad with Oskar, Phile.”
Phile rolled her eyes and changed the subject, “Hey, Little Wolf, your brother is looking for you.”
Rakel nodded. “I know. The general told me. All right. I’ll talk to Bunny later.”
"Do you want me to give her a message, Princess?" Halvor asked.
"Actually," Rakel said, "If you would, just tell her that the class I needed her to teach has been moved to Friday."
"I'll pass the message along, Princess," Halvor promised.
Just to annoy Phile, Rakel reached up and kissed her husband again. “I’ll see you for dinner, Handsome.” He winked at her and kissed her thoroughly.
“Teeth and bones of a long-dead king! I give up. I’m going to the throne room, Little Wolf. You coming?” Phile said.
Rakel looked at Farrin worriedly. “You’ll take care of Tirun?”
“You have my word, Princess,” he said, bowing slightly. Woqhine and Halvor bowed to Rakel as Phile dragged her toward the palace.
***
Watching the women go, Woqhine asked, “Does she worry about all the mages the way she worries about us, Sirs?”
Halvor was the one who answered. “Yes, Woqhine. She does.”
Woqhine shook his head. “You’re a lucky man, Prince Farrin.”
Farrin gave him a lopsided grin. “Yes. I am. Now, if I recall correctly, I was in the middle of beating you--again.”
Woqhine grabbed his pike from the ground where he had stabbed it. “Not this time, Sir.”
Farrin said, “We’ll see.”