Frozen Prospects Read Online Free PDF Page A

fifteen Guadel and forcibly remove him from
power."
    Jasmin
momentarily looked like she was about to continue her argument, but
then looked at Va'del and sighed. "We'll do it according to
the code of course, but I maintain that serious problems are going
to be caused by this Headman in the future. The Council would be
far better off making sure that this village is visited more than
once every year. This hands-off policy they've adopted can only
lead to trouble."
    Va'del
tried to file Jasmin's words away for later analysis, but he didn't
know enough yet to put them in the proper context.
    Sara
and Pa'chi were waiting for the group when they left the guest
rooms. Va'del's friend looked up at him with green eyes that were
shiny with unshed tears. "You're really going away?"
    Unable
to speak past the lump that'd suddenly developed in his
throat, Va'del simply nodded.
    In
a whisper Pa'chi continued. "I won't see you again. Sara told
me you'll never be allowed to return to this village, and I already
know I'll never get the chance to leave."
    Va'del
attempted to smile and lighten the mood a little. "It's okay,
you'll be better off without me. Once you aren't always trying to
stick up for me, Jas'per and the others will leave you alone."
    Pa'chi
shook her head violently. "None of that matters. Sara says
you'll be in a better place. I'll miss you Va'del. I'll miss you a
lot."
    Before
he could think of anything else to say, Pa'chi wrapped her arms
around Va'del's neck in a desperate hug. He opened his mouth to
comfort her but she turned and ran away as the tears finally started
trickling down her face.
    ##
    Va'del
reached up with mitten-covered hands and adjusted his hood slightly
to try and keep the cold air further away from his face.
It didn't seem to help
much, but there wasn't anything else in the desolate landscape to
serve as a windbreak. As far as the eye could see, there was just
snow and ice broken by the occasional rock crag that'd been
scoured clean.
    He
hadn't been outside since his parents had taken him out on short
trips as a child. It had been so long ago he'd forgotten just how
cold it was outside the shelter of the caves. The chill cut right
through his gurra wool clothes, but the light was almost as bad.
He'd never imagined light could cause his eyes to hurt, but Jasmin
had explained it was possible for things to get even brighter.
    The
argument in the guest rooms before they left had given Va'del a
vague idea of what would happen, but events had still played out
much differently than he'd expected. If
Betreec and I'rone's course of action was the more peaceful,
non-confrontational way of handling things, I hate to think of what
Jasmin's plan was. Maybe for I'rone to start killing random people
until their demands were met?
    When
I'rone demanded the customary parting gift of food, and sufficient
clothing and equipment to outfit Va'del, the Headman had looked
nearly ready to attack the Guadel with his bare hands. It had been
obvious Ma'del wanted nothing more than to order Jas'per and the
others to attack the Guadel, but everyone in the cavern had known
I'rone was capable of killing them all without breaking a sweat.
    The
food and equipment had arrived a few minutes later, at which point
Ma'del had curtly informed Betreec that since his village would no
longer be trading with the Capital, the Guadel wouldn't be given any
of the trade jewels scheduled to be sent down with the next caravan
to the lowlands.
    I'rone
hadn't displayed any emotion at the obvious slight.
Instead he'd reminded Ma'del that the testing of youngsters wasn't
dependent on trade with the Capital, and any attempts to prohibit
the Guadel from continuing their traditional duties would be viewed
as open rebellion. I've
never seen Ma'del truly speechless. It's a good thing I'rone got us
moving before I ruined everything by laughing.
    For
all that the day started out with excitement, it'd quickly
devolved to unprecedented levels of monotony. Walking