Total pages in book: 135
Estimated words: 125422 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 627(@200wpm)___ 502(@250wpm)___ 418(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 125422 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 627(@200wpm)___ 502(@250wpm)___ 418(@300wpm)
“Vipunen,” I say, voice echoing. “I’m leaving.”
Silence fills the cavern. The water drips and echoes.
“You must stay,” he intones, voice like distant thunder. “The Creator has set their pieces on the board. Your role here is essential.”
I bare my teeth, frustration boiling over. “Essential? I’m doing nothing but rotting in the dark. My family needs me. The war outside might be spinning out of control, and I can’t just sit here waiting for your cryptic approval.”
Rauta growls softly, as if agreeing. I place a hand on the dog’s back to calm him, not that it helps me much.
The light dances. “Deviations from the plan bring uncertainty. The more you stray, the less certain the outcome. The tapestry frays with every thread pulled.”
I laugh, a harsh sound. “You think I care about your tapestry? I care about my father, my sister, about Sarvi. If staying put was so crucial, then why isn’t the world safer yet? Why do I feel like everything is unraveling while I waste time here?”
“Impatience leads to ruin,” he says.
“I’m already ruined!” I snap, voice cracking. “My horns have been butchered! My mind is being torn apart waiting here! I need to act.” I shake my head, resolve flooding through me. “I’m going, and you can’t stop me.”
I know I sound like a child, but I don’t care.
Vipunen sighs, a gust of wind that blows back my hair. “If you go north through these caves, you follow paths not meant for you yet. You risk meeting fates unplanned.” He sounds almost sorrowful.
“Then I go south.”
“A worse path yet.”
I turn away, refusing to engage further with his nonsense. I pick up my sword and beckon Rauta. The dog follows, tail low but determined. Together, we work our way toward the northern tunnels. Vipunen says nothing more. Maybe he knows I won’t listen. Good. I’m done with his fucking riddles.
The passage narrows as I head deeper. The ground becomes uneven, stones jutting at sharp angles. Water drips, a steady plink that marks my progress. Rauta sniffs at the walls, ears twitching, sometimes pausing to look back as if expecting Vipunen to thunder down the passage after us in a ball of lightning. But no one comes. The giant remains behind with his mysteries.
I press on. My mind reels, though moving is better than sitting. My feet are sore, my stomach hollow. I keep going, using anger and worry as fuel. I imagine my father’s face—that stoic determination. He wouldn’t wait idle while I was in danger. He’d move mountains to find me. The thought strengthens my resolve, knowing that I’m acting as he would.
Eventually, I hear something. Voices. At first, I think it’s a trick of echoing water, but as I move forward, it grows clearer. Voices, human voices, and the faint flicker of torchlight beyond a curve. My heart quickens. Could it be allies?
Or enemies?
Rauta stiffens, ears forward. He looks up at me, tail wagging uncertainly. I slow my steps, pressing against the damp cavern wall, creeping closer. The tunnel widens, opening into a huge space. I step through a rocky arch and stop dead in my tracks.
A gaping hole in the cavern’s ceiling lets in a shaft of grayish light. Snow must be falling somewhere high above, though I see only swirling mist. The cavern is enormous, large enough to hold an army. And on the opposite end, where torches and lanterns cluster on one side, that’s just what I see.
A mass of silhouettes—then a few familiar shapes.
My eyes sting as I realize who they are. My father’s tall, looming figure, Lovia’s warrior form, Hanna…who seems to be glowing? I keep looking, my mouth agape as I take in the Magician’s hooded shape, Vellamo’s proud stance, Hanna’s father Torben leaning on a staff, Tellervo with her antlers, plus five trolls and hundreds of soldiers—mortals!—gathered in tired clusters.
They made it here, into the mountain’s heart.
They made it to me.
Relief floods me so intense my knees almost give way. I found them. Against all odds, I found them.
“Father!” I call, voice echoing sharply. Heads turn, weapons raise briefly in alarm. I rush forward, Rauta at my heels, barking happily. I see Lovia’s astonished face, see Hanna’s eyes widen, see my father’s stern features melt into shock and joy.
“Tuonen!” his voice cracks as he strides across the cavern. The others part for him. I run to meet him, tears blurring my vision. When we collide, my sword clatters to the ground, and he pulls me into a fierce embrace. I cling to him, feeling like I’m a child again, sobbing into his cloak. It’s been so fucking long with so much uncertainty. His hand palms the back of my head, respectful of my horns, his strength holding me together.
“Son,” he says to me warmly, pulling away, his own eyes wet.
Lovia steps close, tears glistening on her cheeks as she pulls me into another boisterous hug.