CHAPTER NINETEEN
vol i — bloody fjerdans!

"BUT WE'RE STILL DOING IT?"
"We trust them now or we trust them later."
"Are we going to talk about Matthias' revelation about Nina's loyalties?"
"Pretty sure most of us don't have 'stalwart' or 'true' checked off in our résumés."

Dinara knew he had a point, but it was still rough knowing that her best friend had caused all this pain. As the group trudged on, the distance between Dinara and Kaz grew with every day that passed. They both hid their feelings, locking them up and throwing away the key, not showing it to the outside world. They were a ticking time bomb, waiting for the right moment to explode and bring everyone down with them. Two long days had passed before they finally reached the cliffs that looked over Djerholm. The weather had warmed significantly, making Dinara hate the outfit she was wearing. The fur was tedious, sticking to her skin, making her want to tear off every piece of clothing. One the ground, small blossoms stuck up from the ground, showing off the first signs of spring. The picture Dinara had made up in her mind of Djerholm reminded her of Ketterdam — smoky skies, danger lurking in every corner, and buildings like the Menagerie lining every corner.

However, the streets were tidy, people were orderly, making this small town very different from the picture in her head. She let her gaze wonder over the houses, her eyes taking in the bright colors that painted them. The colors threw her off, making her wonder if there was something wrong with the air here. No one should be this happy. Unless, this is what it was like outside of Ketterdam. Maybe getting out of the Barrel wasn't a bad idea. Dinara let her mind wander as she once again dreamed of her new life, only this time she pictured a farm house, animals all around, and a porch swing. She always adored the life of simplicity, but she was never able to with the hunger that burned inside of her for the sight of blood leaving another's body.

Snapping out of her day dream, Dinara tore her eyes away from all the color, glancing up to where the Ice Court was standing. It stood like a great while sentinel on a massive cliff overlooking the harbor. Dinara recalled that Matthias had called the cliffs unscalable, and she hated to admit that it could present a challenge, but she was up for it. Dinara always had one foot dangling off the edge, so what would be so different from this. Everyone's lives were placed in her and Inej's hands, allowing them to deal the cards how they felt. It was scary, but Dinara was able to push that down and clear her mind. Her gaze remained on the sight of the Ice Court, gazing over the design from afar. The white like surface seemed clean and bright as ice, corresponding perfectly with the name.

"Canon," said Jesper.

"I've broken into banks, warehouses, mansions, museums, values, a rare book library, and once the bedchamber of a visiting Kaelish diplomat whose wife had a passion for emeralds. But I've never had a cannon shot at me," said Kaz.

"Well, then you clearly aren't living, Kaz," Dinara taunted. "Plus, most of those things I helped with. Don't get all high and mighty on us."

"There's something to be said for novelty."
"Hopefully, it won't come to that."

"Those guns are there to stop invading armadas," Jesper said confidently. "Good luck hitting a skinny little schooner cutting through the waves bound for fortune and glory."

"I'll quote you on that when a cannonball lands in my lap," said Nina.

Dinara and the other slipped into the traffic with ease, attempting to fit in with the rest. She knew that if they kept walking on this road it would merge with the northern road that led to Upper Djerholm. Dinara glanced around at the shops intrigued, wondering if she could stop for a moment and pick out a new dress. The one thing that caught her interest was that the shops had been decorated for Hringälla. Each had created elaborate displays of pepper cookies baked in the shapes of wolves, some hanging like ornaments from large twisting trees, and the bridge spanning the river gorge had been festooned with ribbons in Fjerdan silver.

"What are they?" Wylan asked, pausing in front of a peddler's cart. The cart was decorated with wreaths made of the same twisting branches and silver ribbons as the shops before.

"Ash trees," replied Matthias. "Scared to Djel."

"They're supposed to be in in the middle of the White Island," informs Nina. Dinara almost chuckled at the glare Matthias was sending her. "It's where the drüskelle gather for the listening ceramony."

Kaz tapped his walking stick on the ground. "Why is this is the first I'm hearing of it?"

"The ash is sustained by the spirit of Djel," said Matthias. "It's where we may best hear his voice."

"Not what I asked. Why isn't it on our plans?"
"Because it's the holiest place in all of Fjerda and no essential to our mission."
"I say what's essential. Anything else you decided to leave out in your great wisdom?"

"The Ice Court is a vast structure," Matthias said, turning away from the group. "I can't label every crack and corner."

"Here?" Jesper asked, peering into the dark main room. Dinara's nose wrinkled at the garlic and fish that shank up the entire room. She had to hold back a gag, the smell was revolting, swimming up her nose and invading her senses.

"Terrace."
"Whats a gestinge?"
"It means 'paradise.'"

Nina had helped secure them a table on the tavern's rooftop terrace. The people were scarce, leaving them to have the place seemingly to themselves. The fur she had once wished to take off, proved useful on the terrace. The food on the other hand was awful. Herring on rancid oil, stale black bread, and some kind of butter that looked distinctly mossy.

"This is disgusting. Who thought they could serve this?" Dinara questioned, pushing the plate in front of her away, wanting it as far away as possible.

"Kaz, if you want me dead, I prefer a bullet to poison."
"When I don't want to eat, you know there's a problem."
"We're here for the view, not the food."

Dinara looked out past the railing of the terrace, seeing the Ice Court in the distance, still standing in all of its glory. From the distance, Dinara could see the first guard house and the outer gate had been built into a white arch formed by two monumental stone wolves on their hind legs. They spanned the road leading into the Ice Court. Dinara watched as the traffic came and went through the vast gates, analyzing how they got through without a tick of trouble. Dinara's stomach rumbled, making her question everything in existence, before picking up the stale bread. Her hands picked at the bread, tearing off a piece and bringing it to her mouth. She immediately regretted to decision, but her hunger was overriding every other feeling in her body. She picked up the tea that they had ordered, sipping it slightly, letting it burn down her throat. The wind picked up, making her body shiver, reaching out to grab a brännvin that warmed her insides. Shutting out the wind, warming every ounce of her body, sending every shiver away.

"We're going to start looking conspicuous soon," said Nina. "This isn't the kind of place people like the longer."

"Maybe they don't have anyone to take to jail," said Wylan.

"There's always someone to take to jail," Kaz replied. He bobbled his chin towards the road. "Look." Dinara looked the way his chin pointed, watching as a boxy wagon rolled to a stop at the guard house. Her interest peaked at the sight before her, her bum edging towards the front of her seat, curious as to what would happen. Her eyes scanning over the detail that was visible from her view point. Kaz reached into his coat pocket, pulling out a book. "Here," he said and handed Jesper the slender book, the cover of elaborate design.

"Are we going to read to each other?"
"Just flip it open to the back."
"So?"
"Hold it up so we don't have to look at your ugly face."
"My face has character. Besids — oh!"
"What does it say?"
"Just look."
"Where did you get this?"
"It's called a backless book."
"Clever."

Inej passed it off to Dinara, who took the book, her eyes scanning over the detail of the cover for a moment. She opened the book, her fingers turning the pages, scanning over the simple words printed into them. When she reached the back, she noticed that the back hid two lenses that acted as a long glass. Peering through the back, she gazed at the scenery. Her eyes widened at the sight of the gatehouse and the wagon parked in front, she could see them so clearly. A surprised chuckle went through the air. "God I love this book."