"Am I wrong to say this is terrifying?" Gwen asked, wrapped in a thick fur cloak as they looked out at the barren landscape. "How does one person even do this?" 

Maverick tugged his own cloak tighter, his breath a thick fog with each exhale. As far as the eye could see snow and ice covered the land. From their vantage point, they could see the next village hadn't fared much better than Vellaria.

"I have a feeling things are going to get very interesting," Finny said, brow arched. "I doubt he's still there. He's hunting."

"Hunting?" Port jerked around toward her. "He's not an animal. We aren't chasing some beornach or griffon on the loose."

"Aren't we? He's after someone and he's not going to stop until he finds her."

"Do you think Canya is even up here?" Gwen asked. "She's practically an animal herself. I could see her hiding out in a cave somewhere." She shivered. "What do you think she did with Trey?"

"You think she hurt him?" Maverick asked.

They all fell silent, not saying anything as they made their way to the village.

#

"This is worse than before," Port said, his voice low as he stared around. The town looked barren, deserted and the bite in the air left them all shivering. 

"Is anyone even here?" Maverick asked and winced. His level volume felt like shouting in the eerie silence. 

Gwen cupped her hands over her mouth. "HELLO? Anyone here?"

There was a crunching, crumbling sound, and an icicle fell from the roof of a building a few feet away, crashing onto the frosted cobblestone.

"Shhhh." A man appeared at their side, a finger to his lips. "What are you trying to do, get impaled?"

"We're trying to find people," Gwen snapped, earning another "shh." 

"This way. Everyone's at the town hall trying to keep warm. Follow me." The man hunched down, weaving through the streets to a larger building. He didn't speak again until they were inside. "As you can see, we're tight on space."

Bodies filled the hall, most hunched together. Even the inside had a layer of ice coating. People wore their cloaks, parents with their arms wrapped around their children. At their entrance, heads turned, people watching with fear and suspicion. 

"I'm sure you're wondering what happened here," the man said, eyeing them with interest.

"No, we know exactly what happened," Finny said.

"How--"

"Did he leave?" Gwen asked, cutting him off. "Or is he still here?"

"He left. We couldn't tell him where a woman named Canya was, so he destroyed our town and left." 

"This," Maverick said, raising his voice so everyone could hear him, "is what happens when the Militia is left in charge."

"The Militia?" The man who led them in frowned. "What are you talking about?"

Maverick and Gwen launched into their speech, explaining what the Militia had done and how it wasn't going to protect its people.

"How can we be sure you're who you say you are?" someone asked.

Maverick and Gwen, this time uninterrupted, shoved back their cloaks and pulled their tunics to the side, revealing their matching birthmarks.

"We're not lying, and we don't want to take Bainon's throne," Maverick said. "What we DO want, is to protect the kingdom, to find the king, and to stop the Militia."

"As long as they're in control, this will continue to happen." Gwen pulled her cloak back to warm her. "The country is in chaos."

"Guardians are meant to protect their king," Finny said. "And as long as he's in danger and his throne is usurped, nothing will stop their fury. This," she gestured around, "is evident of that. They won't be able to control themselves."

Maverick gave her a side-eye for the lie, but didn't dispute it, as the audience seemed rapt with attention. "You'll only be in more and more danger as long as the Militia is in control. This man has the power to do this to your town, but what if he had a more dangerous power?"

"More dangerous than this?" a voice called out.

"There's a Guardian who can make the plants rise up--trees will grow into your homes, destroying buildings." Gwen pointed around, her voice firm.

"Another can shake the earth," Finny said. "And swallow the villages whole."

"There's one with fire," Port said, and Maverick felt a sudden, sharp sting in his heart. "One who could burn everything to the ground." 

The man who led them in folded his arms, brow furrowed. "But how could they do this? How could the Militia even have power? There are rules, laws - they can't just take over."

Finny spread her arms wide. "This is nothing. The Ancients have spent their lives staying out of the problems since Tremaine's death many years ago, but one has betrayed them all. This Ancient is helping the Militia - helping them betray these heirs. Whoever this is, they have immense power to manipulate our most sacred rules. This is likely the individual who killed Tremaine hundreds of years ago."

"And there are now Ancients among us, just like Guardians." Gwen glanced at Maverick.

"They won't stop until things are right again," Maverick said through gritted teeth, sucking in a deep breath. "And neither will we."

They fell silent as the townspeople murmured amongst themselves. Maverick's heart hammered in his chest as they waited. Several were shaking their heads. He glanced at Gwen, who looked as nervous as he felt.

"How do we help?" a woman finally asked, standing, her shoulders squared. "How do we stop the Militia?"

Relief hit Maverick like a wave, and he exhaled. "We have a plan." 

#

Aundreya watched Helena stare out at Osha. 

"They still haven't found him. What do we do now?"

"We move forward with Roman," Helena said, glancing over her shoulder.

Aundreya bit back an annoyed response, choosing a logical answer instead. "But Roman isn't of royal birth. He doesn't have the - "

"Neither did Eric, and everyone believed he was an heir. I think you'll find you're going to be very convincing when it comes to Roman's legacy." 

Heat flooded Aundreya, and not for the first time she regretted showing Helena her gift. The woman seemed almost immune to it - or rather it wore off too quickly to get her own way. She felt like a bird in a gilded cage.

Everything she'd ever wanted, but unable to fly. 

Still, if Roman is king, you'll be queen. And he isn't the worst beau you've had. And when they find Maverick, you can get rid of Roman. 

Aundreya nodded at the thought, and Helena took it as a nod to her. "We'll start slow, getting Osha committed before we take it to the rest of the country. We need commitment."

"And what of the Ancient? The one everyone talks about. Your secret friend? When will I meet him?"

"You don't need to worry about the Ancient. It's none of your concern. That is between me and my circle." 

"Your circle is more or less dead. You lost Yoro or whatever his name was, and Mygel you haven't trusted since she was burned. Let me in, Helena."

"In time, my child. When I know you can be trusted."

Aundreya rolled her eyes and turned away. "Narissa trusted me."

"Which is exactly why I don't." 

Fists clenched, Aundreya watched Helena leave. She wasn't going to get away with it that easily. She'd find out who the Ancient was - find out and maybe even cut Helena out of the way in the process. The last thing she needed was an arrogant middleman who treated her like a child.

Just you wait, Helena. I'll find out who the Ancient is, and when I do, you'll be sorry. 

Aundreya wants to take on Helena and find the Traitor! I mean, gee...that's like, the last secret left, isn't it? 

Maverick and Gwen are having success! YAY! They're finally getting people involved. Think their plan can spread to other towns?

Who do you hope to hear about next? Maybe you'll get lucky and we'll see them on Monday! Tell me in the comments and don't forget to star this chapter!