(11)

My journey was not as tiresome as before, for I was allowed to take one of Tetop’s fastest steeds. I wore garments of all silver, and a long flowing black wig. By the time I reached the gates of the Royal Ice Palace, I spoke my best foreign tongue lying about some great news I heard of a rallying Red Army. I was rushed to the throne room, and it had changed indeed! My insider had not elaborated on the tiny details that I always pay attention to. It was noticeably darker, and when I was tossed before the Queen, there was a collection of bones crafted into a nest, and there she sat, in her human-form. But she looked like a monster, one of the forbidden cave witches! Her hair was just as my friend had told me later (I verified everything once I got the warning letters).

“And what is this great news you must tell me, Stranger?!” she shouted.

I told her this fabrication about how there was a growing movement of red, and that she should fear for her forces! The last part I wanted to add myself. She only snickered and soon flew from the nest and stood beside me.

“My Stranger, you have no idea,” and with that she wisked me down a side hall. I could hear cackles echoing through the cold ice ways and then she led me out a black door, to a spacious balcony. I collapsed beneath the slick ice and watched from the floor as she leaned closer to the railing. I heard the sounds of horns and cheers, even oddly crow calls! I pulled myself up and there beneath the pedestal-balcony was a massive force. And by massive, I don’t mean one or two units of 100, but like 10 units of 1,000. There were warriors of Ice, WHITE RIDERS, men, and giant crows (the size of large dogs!). They lifted banners of Sapphire blue to the sky, all praising for their Queen.

“As you can see, Stranger, I have nothing to worry about.” I could barely breathe, and she certainly read my fear. She returned to her forces.

“Tomorrow, we go to WAR!” she raised both her hands, increasing the volume of approval! I almost puked, yet steadied myself and my slipping wig.

We returned to the hall in silence, and just as we were about to turn into the throne room (for of course, I remembered the palace layout), she gripped my arm and charged me straight down the dark hall.

She opened the back door, the same one her sister had escaped from, and threw me out. Just before shutting the door, she said, “Oh, Kyelot, you think me a fool. I grant you your life to tell my sister of my army, to tell her of her impending doom. Tomorrow, we will be at the Snow Sands. There, I will end your life once and for all.”

I could barely stand as she slammed the door with her magic. There was no time, I had to get back to prepare!