Molly eventually agreed to carry Frost after persistent pleading on the part of Frolick, making the ride noticeably more agreeable for the Frostmarked brother. It was just in time, too, because Frost's pace had begun to slow from sheer exhaustion.

Over the course of the next week, the terrain gradually grew more difficult. The weather became colder and the ground more frozen with each mile. The brothers passed by partially frozen lakes and thinning evergreen forests as they neared their goal.

"I think I see it," Frolick said, pointing ahead. Off in the distance, there was what appeared to be a collection of buildings surrounded by a massive stone wall. Smoke rose up into the sky. "Strange, it's supposed to be further north than this, according to the map anyway. Hmmm."

Frost's eyes lit up with excitement. His heart leaped. "It must be Hailstone Keep," he said, breathing deep. "There's nothing else it could be."

"You're right," Frolick said, smiling. "By sight, it must be only another mile or so, and we'll finally be there. Woo hoo!" He raised both of his hands up over his head and waved them around.

"I can't wait," Frost said, his inflection upward. "To be back in civilization."

In spite of the brothers' excitement, Molly walked slowly ahead, nonchalantly tugging the makeshift sled of frozen bear meat. Her pace was unchanged.

"C'mon Molly," Frolick said. "You've got us here, you did. Be a little excited, will you, girl?" He rubbed her head in-between her giant floppy ears.

Molly uncurled her snout and trumpeted aloud. Her tail flicked and curled behind her.

"That's my girl," Frolick said. "I'll buy you a nice mammoth treat when we get in. As soon as I can find a grocer, I will. You deserve it for all your hard work."

She flapped her ears, tilting her head back and forth joyfully.

"I'll pitch in too," Frost said. "Molly deserves it."

At that, Molly bristled and shuddered, bring her trot to a complete stop. Then she lifted her chin in indignation.

"Let's not get ahead of ourselves," Frolick said. "She's already agreed to carry you, she did."

Frost gaped. "I just offered to—"

"I know, I know," Frolick said. "Mammoths have long memories. Could be another month or so before she's fully forgiven you."

Frost shook his head and rolled his eyes.

"Can't say I won't miss it out here, though, Frost," Frolick said, patting Molly. The woolly mammoth resumed her casual trot. "It was fun camping out in the woods and living off the wilderness. Minus the dire bears and Flintlock soldiers, of course."

"It was something," Frost said, thinking to himself how much he looked forward to sleeping in a real bed.

"Very happy to arrive, though," Frolick said in his usual chipper, upbeat tone.

"Agreed," Frostilicus said. "I can't be happier."

"It is strange though that we didn't run into any more Flintlock, isn't it?" Frolick said. "I would have thought we'd seen more."

Frost furrowed a brow. In truth, he hadn't considered it. They'd kept a look-out, but he'd been happy enough not to run them. "Best not to think of it, I suppose."

"True, you may be right," Frolick said, his gaze wandered off into the woods. "We'll have to do it again, though. The journey, I mean. You'll want to visit Mom and Dad, of course."

Frost nodded in understanding. He knew what his brother was getting at. Frolick enjoyed the journey. Being with family, especially in nature. That meant everything to him. "Yes, of course, Frolick," Frost said. He deeply appreciated his brother's help.

"I could live out here," Frolick said. "Off the land."

"I know you could," Frost said. "You'd do well too. Out in the wilderness."

"But onward, I say," Frolick said. "To bigger and better things. We've got to get you to those frost mages, we do. To realize your full potential."

As Frost nodded in agreement, he picked up on something he hadn't noticed before. Frolicks' voice was artificially upbeat. Fake. Frolick was an extrovert and a smooth talker, but there was a subtle inflection in his tone.

His brother was masking something.

Frost stared silently at his brother. Why hadn't he noticed before? It wasn't just about living out in the wilderness. There was something more.

Frolick was hiding his feelings. Of course. Frost immediately wondered what his brother would do once they arrived. In a way, Frolick had given everything to help Frost make the trip. But once they arrived, would Frolick want to stay? He didn't have any particular interest or ability in frost magic. There was nothing to do. He only came to be with Frost.

That was the elephant in the room, Frost thought to himself. Well, aside from Molly, anyway.

So Frost said the only thing he could, "I want you to stay with me. After we arrive, I'll find a place for you."

Frolick shook his head politely. "No, no," he said. "It's fine. I'll just go back down to Capscatia to help Mom and Dad. Someone has to help in the blacksmithery. Dad will need a new apprentice, he will."

Frost stared at his brother for a moment. "Blacksmithing is nearly obsolete, Frolick. I've done it to help Dad out, but it's a trade that will not be around for much longer. Not with the technology the Flintlock are introducing. The times are changing fast. No one buys armor anymore."

Frolick pondered the thought. "What would I do up in Hailstone Keep?" Frolick said. "I'm not going to be useful like you are. I'm no frost mage. I belong elsewhere. And besides, you'll be busy training."

"We have no idea what it'll be like," Frostilicus said. Then he looked his little brother square in the eye. "All I know is I want you with me. We're a team."

Frolick hesitated. "Really? Well, I couldn't. They might not want me there. Who knows if they'll even want you there."

"We'll find a way," Frost said. "You're my brother, and I want you with me. No matter what."

Frolick nodded and held back a smile. He hid his emotion, but Frost knew that this meant something to him.

"Thank you, brother," Frolick said. "That means something, it does."

A simple thanks. That was enough.

In that moment, a blast resounded in the distance. Molly slammed her front hooves down into the ground and perked up her head in alert.

"What was that?" Frolick said, straightening his back.

Smoke rose up from the keep, red light flickering from dark objects surrounding it. Frost heard small blasts erupt like falling rocks in a landslide. They were punctuated by much larger booms. These were explosions—very powerful ones.

"Hailstone Keep," Frostilicus said, widening his eyes. "It's under attack."