Seth watched Gloria crumple to her knees then drop to the snow. “Gloria!” he cried, crunching through the snow to her side. He grabbed her shoulders and pulled her up. “Are you okay?” he asked brushing snow from her shoulders.

  Gloria shivered and her teeth chatted; her cheeks were red from the biting cold and her shoulders sagged in exhaustion. “I’m sorry,” she mumbled looking down at the snow. “I tried, but the grass won’t move… Please don’t be upset,” she started to cry. “I’m sorry, I tried…I’m sorry…”

  Gloria’s tears worried Seth. He patted her shoulder – she felt so cold. “It’s okay,” he tried to reassure her. “Don’t cry…I’m not mad. Do I look mad?”

  Gloria sagged into him, mumbling. “I’m so tired. Can we take a quick break? I’m so tired…”

  Fear seized in Seth’s chest. I need to do something! She’s going to freeze to death. Seth gently shook Gloria’s shoulder. “Hey, can you walk?” Gloria didn’t hear him and continued her mumbling apologies. Seth held Gloria close and tried to lift her to her feet, but they buckled beneath her.

  Seth struggled to keep her from falling back into the snow, his mind raced as he tried to figure out what to do. Gloria needs shelter, but I have no idea how far the next town is! He gritted his. He had no wood, no tent, and nothing warmer than his own shirts. Seth’s eyes widened. Shirts!

  Seth gently lowered Gloria to the snow. Gloria clung to him and continued to mutter. “I’m sorry! Please don’t leave! I’m sorry!”

  “I’m not leaving,” Seth said as calmly as he could. “I just need something from my bag.” Seth slid his bag from his shoulders and pulled out a few shirts, he knelt down and handed them to Gloria. “Here, put these on.”

  Gloria tried to take one, but her shaking hands fumbled the shirt and dropped it in the snow. “Seth,” her voice quivered. “I can’t.”

  “It’s alright,” he said, scooping up the shirt from the snow. I’ll help you.” Seth slid the first two shirts over Gloria’s head and helped her pull her arms through. The third shirt, Seth put over her head and poked her face through the neck hole. He leaned on his knee and panted. “That should keep your head a little warm.”

  Gloria wobbled on her knees. Seth put out a hand to steady her then climbed to his feet and scanned his surroundings. Was there a farmer or something nearby? Somewhere they could take shelter. In the distance, Seth spied the silhouette of a building. His heart lifted. A farmhouse?

  A soothing voice slithered into his mind and whispered into his ear. Are you sure you want to take that chance? It was the mysterious woman. Seth could see her put her chin in her hands. Maybe those assassins are taking shelter at that farmhouse. She smiled. Or maybe they promised the farmer gold if you happened to come by. Either way…you could be playing right into their trap.

  Seth tried to shake the voice away and dropped to his haunches then peered into Gloria’s face. “Hey, are you still with me?” Gloria slowly looked up; her eyes were glassy and her face began to look pale. Seth grimaced. I need to hurry and get her warm.

  Why are you risking your life for her anyway? The woman asked. You never wanted her to come with you. Leave her. You don’t need shelter. She will only slow you down, besides she’s close to freezing anyway.

  Seth whirled on the woman in his head. Shut up! he spat. I may not be the bravest man on Dunnamel, but I’m not going to leave someone to die in the snow! Then he grabbed Gloria’s hands and pulled her onto his back, wrapping her arms around his neck and shifting her body until he had a strong hold on her. Gloria groaned in his ear. “Stay with me, Gloria!” he panted. “I’m going to get us to safety.”

  The mysterious woman eyed him skeptically, then settled back to watch.

  Seth shifted his gaze from the grass to the road; either way would leave a trail now. Seth gritted his teeth and started to push through the grass, carrying Gloria. Stalks bent under his feet and snapped. Seth glanced over his shoulder it was clear someone had walked through here. But it’s still safer than the road. Seth thought and continued on his way.

  The wind picked up and blew snow in Seth’s face. Gloria curled slightly on his back. Her breathing tickled his ear and was shallow and ragged.

  Seth panted and looked out at the horizon. From this distance, he could make out the dark shape – it was a farmhouse! Seth smiled. He was getting closer, but the grass was slowing him down. Seth glanced at the road. Is it worth the risk?

  “Seth…” Gloria mumbled.

  “What is it?” Seth glanced back.

  Gloria mumbled something unintelligible, then her head dropped onto Seth’s shoulder. That decided it for him. Seth turned from the grass and raced to the road. Damn the risks! he thought. If it would get Gloria to safety faster, then that’s what mattered.

  Seth clambered onto the road and pushed onward. Hang on, Gloria. he thought beginning to sag under Gloria’s increasing weight. I’m going to get you there.

  When the farmhouse was almost in sight, Seth spied two figures coming towards him on the road. He squinted his eyes and tried to peer through the billowing snow. Then the soft thudding of hooves came to his ears. Seth’s heart jumped to his throat. The assassins!

  His eyes darted around. He had no time to hide! Not with Gloria on his back!

  The strange woman chuckled in his ear. This is your last chance, Seth. Neither of you will survive if you insist on carrying her. Leave her and you’ll be able to escape.

  Seth shook and his eyes drifted to the grass then up to the mountains. It would be easier, he thought. No one else to worry about, just me… Temptation gnawed at him.

  She leaned in closer. We both know that running comes naturally to you.

  Seth began to loosen his grip when Gloria groaned and mumbled. “Seth…”

  A spark of courage flickered within him. What am I thinking? Seth shook his head and tightened his hold on Gloria. He would figure it out. “I’m not leaving her,” he glared at the woman.

  The woman’s eyes narrowed. You're stronger than I thought, she said, then she vanished from his mind’s eye.

  At that moment, the neigh of a horse drew Seth’s attention back to the road. The assassins could see him. Maybe they’ll just pass me… Seth moved to the side of the road and bowed his head. Please pass me…please!

  The horses slowed and the same deep voice Seth heard earlier called out to him. “Ho there, traveler!”

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  Seth’s heart lurched and he slowly looked up to see a heavily scarred man in chainmail with a long black braided beard and a long sword strapped onto his back sitting on a chestnut mare. Next to him on a dappled grey stallion was a heavily tattooed brown-haired woman in flexible leather armor and a short bow resting on her lap.

  Seth swallowed but nodded back. “Ho there,” he answered. Strategies and plans raced through his mind. There’s no way I can win a direct confrontation with them.

  “Some nasty weather to be traveling in this afternoon. Where are you headed?” Jay asked.

  Seth glanced at the farmhouse, then flicked his eyes back to Jay’s steel grey eyes. “Home,” he lied, then pointed to the farmhouse.

  The assassins exchanged a glance and Seth shifted nervously. Lizzy turned back to him. “That’s an interesting accent you have there. It reminds me of home. Where are you from?”

  They’re not buying it… Seth scrambled for a credible lie. “South,” he answered. “My parents moved here when I was a kid,” he maintained eye contact with Lizzy. “Now if you would excuse me,” Seth took a step forward, hoping that confidence would sell his lie. “We need to get home; my parents are waiting for us.”

  Jay and Lizzy exchanged smirks. “Interesting,” Jay said putting a hand to his chin. “Because we were just there, and no one seemed to be waiting for you. Care to try another lie, Wizen Seth?”

  Seth’s body went numb. Oh no…

  Lizzy smirked and Seth noticed her hand gripping around her bow. “Who’s your friend?” she asked, jutting her chin at Gloria.

  Seth took a slow step back. He couldn’t get her involved – not again! “No one of consequence to Lord Ember. She’s not a threat to him. Please, she doesn’t need to be involved!”

  Jay drew his sword. “It doesn’t matter to me,” he grinned. “We’ll get paid either way.”

  “Please!” Seth pleaded. “I’m trying to take her to that farmhouse right there! Let me do that and I swear I’ll go with you.”

  The assassins laughed. “And give you the chance to get help?” Lizzy snorted. “I don’t think so.” Then she pulled an arrow from her quiver and notched it to her bow.

  Seth whipped out a hand and drew glowing sigils in the air. “Clypeus fidei!” he cried. A shimmering field surrounded him and Gloria, just as Lizzy fired her arrow. The arrow shattered against the shield.

  Gloria began to slip from Seth’s back. He tried to adjust his grip when he noticed Jay urging his horse forward, his sword ready to strike. Seth shifted Gloria, then braced the spell for impact. The sword clanged against the shield, sending Jay’s arm swinging back. His horse reared in confusion beating its hooves on the shield.

  Come on Seth! he grimaced, trying to hold the spell in place and keep Gloria from falling off his back. Focus! Another arrow fired into the shield, splintering on impact and left webbed cracks in its wake. Seth gritted his teeth; He couldn’t hold them off forever.

  Seth gripped Gloria tight and lunged out of the cracking shield and into the safety of the grass. Behind him was the sound of shattering glass and Seth could feel magical tendrils snapping back into place. The whiplash was like the crack of a whip through his head. Seth grunted in pain but stumbled forward.

  An arrow whistled by his ear and landed in the snow nearby. Seth glanced over his shoulder and saw Jay jump off his horse and run into the grass after him. “Keep him pinned down, honey!” Jay called back

  “Don’t worry! I’ve got him, sweetie!” Another arrow flew by. Seth turned sharply in the grass and tried to run parallel to Lizzy. Maybe he could circle back towards the farmhouse! He hefted Gloria up and changed course. A third arrow whizzed past him, forcing him back towards the road. Seth’s heart pounded as realization set in – They were toying with him! Herding him back where it was easiest to close in on him!

  His grip tightened around Gloria. They’re trying to run me ragged! He had to go on the offensive! But what could he use?

  Seth spun back and focused on Jay’s chainmail. He whipped out a hand and began drawing sigils in the air. “Ardenti metal-” Before he could finish the spell, he heard a dull thud, and his leg buckled underneath him. Seth let out a cry and fell to the ground, pain blinding his mind. He tried to focus on the sigils, but he was distracted by Gloria tumbling off his back. The sigils vanished in the air and the spell dissipated.

  Seth blinked back the pain and saw Jay not too far away, storming through the grass. “Good shot sweetheart!" Jay shouted over his shoulder. "He’s on the ground!”

  Seth frantically reached for Gloria and tried to drag her away with him, pain shooting through his leg. His mind raced with what to do next – he was running out of options!

  Then the woman spoke in his mind. Alright, this has gone far enough! Seth felt as though a shadow reached up and began to pull him away from his body. I’m taking charge now, my child.

  What are you…? Seth struggled to fight against the dark feeling that began to consume him. Stop it!

  Don’t worry, the strange woman purred. I will handle this. Then Seth felt himself yanked from his body and tossed into a dark corner of his mind.

  Seth groaned, then climbed to his feet. Where am I? The world around him was dark. Seth put out his hands and felt thin walls all around him. He was trapped in some kind of box.

  Seth banged on the walls. Let me go! he cried.

  A tinkling laugh echoed through the air. Do not fear… The frosted woman trilled. I’ve got everything under control.

  Seth blinked. He saw his hands drop Gloria and sensed his body rise to his feet. Seth watched in amazement as the wind began to intensify and the billowing snow swirled into a violent blizzard. His body stared down Jay and Seth realized it was happening again – The ice demon puppeteering his body...again.

  Jay stopped his charge and stared at him wide-eyed. “What is…?” he said in awe. He anxiously peered over his shoulder at Lizzy. “I thought he was just an apprentice!”

  “He is!” Lizzy called. “Or at least that’s what the contract said…”

  Seth heard the woman chuckle. “Oh, your information is correct,” she said. “My darling Seth is still an apprentice; this power is mine!” Seth watched his hand rise and clench into a fist, then sensed a wave of dark magical tendrils weave into ice spikes that pierced the ground under Jay.

  Who is she? Seth wondered in fearful awe.

  Jay leaped back in time, clenching his sword tight. “Apprentice or not,” he growled. “We’re going to get our pay!” he charged forward again, raising his sword high.

  The woman laughed again. “You’re adorable.” She reached out her hand and a blast of ice burst out, freezing Jay’s sword until it shattered. When Jay was within Seth’s reach, his hand reached out and gripped the assassin’s throat, raising him from the ground. The woman cackled at Jay’s kicking feet. “Not much fun when you’re the ones being played with, is it?” she spat.

  In the distance, Seth heard Lizzy scream. “Let him go, you monster!” There was the twang of a bowstring and the whistle of an arrow coming straight for Seth, but the woman simply used Seth’s other hand to raise a wall of ice where the arrow harmlessly embedded itself.

  Suddenly, the wall shattered into shards and the woman flung them at Lizzy. They pierced her and threw her off her horse. The horses fled in a frenzied panic, trampling the poor woman.

  Then Seth heard a snap. His gaze turned back to Jay’s purple face as it drooped awkwardly and his eyes began to glaze over.

  Seth felt sick. Enough! he cried. He couldn’t take it anymore. He wanted the assassins off his trail, but he couldn’t stomach this. Give me back my body! he demanded, throwing himself against the thin walls of his cage.

  As you wish, The woman said as she tossed Jay into the grass where the body landed with a thud.

  Seth mustered his strength and threw himself against mental walls once more, this time they broke. He felt himself stumbling down a hall towards an iron curtain. He climbed to his feet and fell through the curtain. When he did, he felt himself returning to his body. As he did, he felt the woman pass him by, muttering to herself, I may have overdone it a bit – we’re too far away.

  Fresh air rushed into Seth’s lungs, gravity weighed him down, and immense fatigue threatened to overtake him. He panted and wobbled for a moment, then he looked at the carnage and vomited. He dropped to his knees, his arms shaking, and tried to pull himself together. Come on, Seth! Focus on getting Gloria to safety.

  He crawled back to Gloria and noticed her skin had a tinge of blue to it. Seth nudged Gloria. “Hey…Gloria, can you hear me?” No response. Seth reached out and put two fingers on her neck and searched for a pulse. He struggled for a moment, then found it, but it was weak and slow.

  I don’t have much time! Seth climbed to his feet, then pulled Gloria onto his back again. It was harder to carry her now, he was exhausted and whatever that strange woman had done, drained much of his energy.

  He staggered through snowy grass back onto the road. Each step sent a sharp pain through his leg. Seth steeled himself and continued forward. Focus! he thought pushing through the ankle-deep snow. The farmhouse…I need to get to the farmhouse.

  Seth could barely see the farmhouse silhouetted against the grey horizon when he reached the end of the drive. Just a little further! Seth panted and started up the path. I just hope whoever we meet will be friendly…