Halorax concentrated on the small glass of water. It was set atop a wooden table lit by flickering candlelight. The water quivered ever-so-slightly. At the center of the cup, the water rose up into a half-inch spire and then collapsed, sending ripples spiraling out to the edge.

Useless.

He couldn't frost form. His powers were gone. At least any realistic use of them. Barely able to tug on water, Halorax could not use his powers. But that wasn't the same as frost forming. Not nearly the same.

Hal and Glom were inside the Woolly Rhino Inn, waiting for warm stew to be served. The wall-mounted head of a Woolly Rhino stared at them from across the room. The chatter of patrons filled the small restaurant on the first floor of the building.

The water had gone completely still. Not even a shimmer now, let alone frost stars. What had happened to him? Whatever it was that foreign scum had done, it had ruined Halorax. All because of Quartus, he was sure. Of course, he had no hard evidence that Quartus was behind any of this, but it had to be true. The enmity between the Strongforge family and the throne had never been worse than now. But to send an assassin? For that, Quartus would pay.

Halorax slammed his left fist onto the table and grunted. The water splashed over the side of the cup, pooling around its base. "That grimdark Quartus. He's done me in. And now my powers are gone. I can barely tug let alone pull.

"You'll get it," Glom said consolingly. "It'll just take time to recover. You've been through a traumatic experience. That's all."

"I can't even get it to frost over. Five, what has become of me?" Running his fingers through his hair in angst, he closed his eyes, wrinkles forming along his cheeks.

"You two order the stew?" a waitress said. She was short, rather plump, and wore a brown apron.

"Yes, we did," Glomulus said, rubbing his hands together greedily. "Thank you."

"I'm Garika," the waitress said, lowering the steaming hot stew. "You two from Everwinter?"

"Yes, we are," Glom said, smiling, not taking his eyes off the food. "Ouch."

Hal kicked him under the table. They weren't supposed to give away who they were or where they were from.

"Don't worry," Garika said, catching on. "I won't tell. You look about the same age as another pair of young men who were here not long ago."

"Last two?" Hal said.

"Sure," Garika said. "Foreigners that had an audience with the king."

Halorax balled his single hand into a fist and furrowing his brows.

"The king?" Glomulus asked, diverting the topic away from Frost and Frolick. Best not to let Halorax get too riled up and make a scene.

"Yes," Garika said. "Heard they saved his life. Speaking of whom, I think the king's giving a royal address tomorrow, from the palace. "

"Really?" Glom asked. "About what?"

"Beats me," Garika said, twiddling her dark hair. "Probably something to do with the Flintlock Army I reckon. Or could be about the death of the king's niece. Or the Sylax child."

Halorax jerked his head. King's niece? Sylax child? That was news to him. "What of the child?"

"Oh," Garika said. "All rumors. No one's supposed to know, but we hear everything in the pub. Everyone spills their guts after a few pints of mead. Probably shouldn't have said anything."

"What of it?" Hal said, clenching his hand into a fist. "Tell us!"

Garika's face went flush, and she took a step back. A sense of alarm fell over her face.

"Don't mind him," Glomulus said, warmly. "He's just had a hard day. What he means is, we can make it worth your while." Glom pulled two hefty coins from his pocket and slid them across the table toward Garika.

The waitress' eyes lit up. "A month's wage?" Her hand made for the coin, but Glom covered it up.

"You were saying?" Glomulus said, winking.

"Well," Garika said. "Heard a few of the guards say somethin' about a Sylax child brought in with Quartus, by the two foreigners. Same ones that were here a few weeks back and saved the king. Child is being kept in royal care. That's all I know."

Glom released the coins and smiled. "Thank you."

"Frost," Halorax said, clenching his teeth.

"Why, yes," Garika said. The waitress tilted her head. "You know him? Quite famous now, I suppose."

Halorax narrowed his eyes, looking down at the soup. He didn't make eye contact.

"Don't mind him," Glomulus said. He plopped another, ruddier coin down on the table. "For our meal. And a little extra for the lovely lady."

Garika smiled and flitted her eyelid. She pocketed the coin, nodding gratefully before walking off.

"Last thing I need," Halorax said. "Is to be reminded of him."

Glomulus spooned the hot stew and slurped it into his throat. It was delicious— tasted practically like his mother's home cooking. "Try the soup," he said. "You'll feel better."

Hal wasn't thinking about the soup. If a child had been brought in, then it would challenge his right as Quintus. A Sylax survivor? Could it be? He growled under his breath. Not that it mattered, he supposed. Without his frost powers, what good would he be as a king anyway.

"You hear what she said, yes?" Glom said.

"The child," Hal said.

"No," Glom said. "Not that. About the king's speech. Scheduled for tomorrow."

Halorax tilted his head, and his eyes widened.

"You thinking what I'm thinking?" Glomulus said. "I still can't believe we're doing this."

"I'm doing this, Glom," Halorax said. "This one's on me. You take care of yourself, in case I don't make it out. You've been a loyal friend, and you've got a bright future ahead of you."

"Thanks," Glom said. "I think."

"Tomorrow then," Halorax said. "Tomorrow, I kill the king."

End of Book 1