Page 62 of Soul of Fire

“Damn.” I hadn’t meant to mutter the word out loud, but Ingmar and Serrilda both looked at me expectantly. “Viggo is still four days out.”

“Maybe ask Arik how he wants you to proceed?” Ingmar shrugged. “He might know more about the extent of the Odemark than we do.”

I hadn’t wanted to bother Baldur or Idunn more than necessary, but Ingmar had a point. Arik had made it his life’s work to study the Rift and hopefully find a way to close it, so perhaps hedidknow something he hadn’t told us.

Can you check in with Baldur then? I want to know if Arik knows what “dead lands” means.

Kindra gave me a draconic sigh.I am but a glorified messenger.

Thank you, dearest soul-bonded dragon,I replied, shaking my head at her ill-humor. Honestly, dragons could be so moody.

I was about to ask Serrilda and Ingmar what they thought we should do when Kindra came roaring back to me in a panic.HE IS NOT THERE!

What do you mean he isn’t there?

His bond is gone!She snorted, her panic palpable.I do not feel him anywhere!

My face must have shown Kindra’s feelings, because Serrilda put a hand on my elbow. “Revna?”

“Kindra can’t reach Baldur,” I explained aloud while trying to soothe Kindra’s panic.Try Idunn. It could be nothing.

Ingmar and Serrilda both had the same look of concern, and I assumed they sent their dragons to reach out to Baldur as well.

“What does it mean?” Ingmar asked, their eyes wide.

“Could just be too much iron around him,” Serrilda said, calm as ever. “Perhaps he is in chains or a prison.”

“Prison?!” Ingmar looked aghast. “How can you say that so calmly?”

“There is no point in worrying until we know for sure.” Her eyes met mine. “I vote we go find him.”

Kindra came rushing back, the panic tempered with some relief.Idunn says he and Sigurd have been poisoned. Their humans cannot shift.

Can’t shift?

“Mistletoe.” Serrilda said it aloud. Their dragons must have relayed the same information. “It’s the only thing that can cut us off from our dragons completely.”

“Why is this not common knowledge?” Ingmar asked, their eyes wide with horror. “I feel like that should be included in our training.”

“It is.” Serrilda gave them a scathing look. “You didn’t pay attention.”

I ignored the continued bickering as Kindra prodded at me.Sigurd and Bryndis are returning, but Idunn insists on going on. They intend to seek out the old woman we took to the bakery.

Sigrid. They were going ahead to Sigrid.

I nodded, knowing Kindra would agree with the plan I had formed in my mind already. “I’m going to Stalheim.”

Serrilda and Ingmar stopped fighting.

“Wait.” Ingmar shook their head. “You’re what?”

“I’m going to Stalheim. I’ll meet Branka and Jorgen, resupply them, and we will go on to fetch Arik and Eisa. We need them back here.”

“Who will take care of all of this?” Ingmar waved their hand vaguely at the whole of Ironholm. “And who will watch the Scar?”

“I will. And Adira, if you’ll let me ask her.” Serrilda looked at me, and I nodded once. As usual, she knew me better than most, and she’d already worked out my plan.

“And what about me?” Ingmar asked indignantly. “Am I nothing but your research monkey?”