AN INTERRUPTION

A certain hum reverberated beneath the reindeer’s hooves. Kaley had been listening to it for a measure of the ride until the sparse trees thickened to a congested garden of pines. Though she had never been told, she had read about a breathing song such as this one: a tune the Volumes of Wisdom affectionately called “The Song of Winter.” She swore she had heard Helen hum it a time or three while folding socks or scrubbing a dish.

Kaley found the tune a soothing medicine for her weary bones now, and when she hushed her thoughts to listen, she imagined mountains, hills, and a message being told. She could see the bar in her mind’s eye, exactly as it was in the psalm book, each note glowing as it was touched by sound:

“There’s a village past this stretch of trees. It’s the first of many in the Green Kingdom,” Lucas interrupted her serenity. “But because I’m generous and gentlemanly and all sorts of other endearing things, I’ll give you another chance to abandon this riddlesome mission of yours, and I’ll offer to take you to anywhere else in Winter you wish to go,” the youthful Patrolman promised as he slowed the deer to a stop. He dismounted and raised his arms to Kaley. But Kaley made a face at his offer and slid off the steed herself.

Lucas exhaled, “Too proud for help, Trite?” he asked. “You seemed to be implying the opposite when you showed up at my merriest brew room back there, begging for my assistance.” He tied the deer’s reins to a branch and patted its burly rump.

Kaley eyed the creature, its prickly antlers glistening. “I needed a ride and you provided that. If you don’t want to go the rest of the way with me, that’s fine.” To prove her indifference, Kaley marched toward the sounds of a village beyond the web of branches that shrouded them.

Lucas’s fingers flashed out and caught her hand. “Ragnashuck, I never said I wanted to abandon you. I have a good measure of souls who’d send scotchy tidings my way if I did such a thing, including your beloved sister,” he said, and Kaley’s gaze flickered to him at the mention of Helen. “Just trying to change your mind before we go in.”

Her stare fell to where Lucas held her hand. His did too; he grinned.

“Fine then. Come with me, but don’t get in my way, Lucas Leutenski. Helen has a plan, and we need this crown.” Kaley tugged her hand free, blushing a pinch.

“Yes, yes, yes. Helen’s merry plan.” Lucas dragged his Patrol staff from the reindeer’s back and led the way into the woods. “Steal the sacred crown off a blood-hungry monarch’s head. For Helen.”

Kaley’s jaw stiffened.

“Let me see if I’ve got this right. You’re to distract Eliot Gray, steal a heavily guarded trophy, and then…?” He waited, and Kaley glared.