“There.” Erdrodr stood up, tucking the ice sphere into her oversized pocket. The rest of the boat sagged, rapidly melting back into the river. “Now, follow me, and be as quiet as you can.”

The ice giant led them through a series of corridors and up a flight of stairs. They emerged on a covered walkway overlooking the central courtyard of the fortress. Several buildings fronted onto a rocky square of ground, which Alice was startled to see was full of trees. Each tall, slender plant had its roots in a round basin full of rocks and water, and trunks and leaves alike were made of translucent ice, drinking in the faint starlight. Ice flowers bloomed here and there, petals carrying subtle hints of color.

Erdrodr must have noticed Alice’s expression, because she made a face. “Those are my mother’s pride. No other has bred blooms so large and colorful. It gave her her name, when she was younger than me. Helga the Ice Flower.” She shook her head. “No one says she is less a warrior for it.”

“They’re beautiful,” Alice said.

“I think she cares for them more than she does for me.” The ice giant’s lip twisted. “Come. This way.”

At the end of the walkway, another door led them back inside. Another flight of stairs, down this time, opened onto a long hallway and then to a single massive door, ancient, hardened wood banded with metal bars and rivets. An iron plate just above the level of Alice’s head bore a large keyhole.

“That is the door,” Erdrodr said. “Nordra has the only key, and she is asleep in the guard tower.”

“Is there anyone nearby?” Alice said.

“Most of the warriors are with Mother on the hunt. Only a few guards and children were left behind.”

“Then I think we won’t try to be subtle,” Alice said. “Stand back.”

She reached out with her mind and grabbed Spike’s thread, pulling the dinosaur into the world with a pop of displaced air. Erdrodr jumped, slapping a hand over her mouth to stifle a yell. Even Flicker, who’d seen Spike before, looked startled. Alice grinned a little to herself as she gave the dinosaur mental instructions. He grunted, lining up on the door, and lumbered into motion.

As she’d found out when she’d entered his prison-book, Spike’s strength and considerable bulk let him build up the momentum of a freight train. By the time he hit the door, the wood and metal didn’t stand a chance. Timbers snapped and cracked, the hinges gave way with a squeal of tortured iron, and then the entire door came free, hanging from Spike’s horns as he skidded to a halt in the room beyond.

“What,” boomed a huge voice, “is going on here?”

“Oh no,” Erdrodr said. “No, no. Not now. She’s not supposed to be back yet!”