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"Better hurry," she said."I hear they're discussing rationing.And in times of scarcity, we Northerners have always had very clear ideas about who deserves priority."

The threat in her words couldn't have been clearer if she'd drawn a blade.

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

Murmurs rippled through the main hall of Frostforge, rising like steam from the sea of bundled students gathered for dinner and confirmation of the rumors that had spread like frost on a winter morning: that Isle Wardens had cut off their supply lines.Thalia pressed her back against one of the massive stone pillars, its cold seeping through her academy uniform as she scanned the anxious faces.Students huddled in tight clusters, their breath forming small clouds in the perpetually chilled air of the hall, each group passing theories and fears between them like contraband.

"Thalia!"Luna's voice cut through the din, unnaturally bright against the somber mood.She wove through the crowd with surprising agility for someone who typically appeared so scattered."There you are!Everyone's talking about the supply lines.Do you think they'll cancel the cryomancy practical tomorrow?I forgot to finish my ice lattice design."

Even now, Luna maintained her ditzy facade, though Thalia knew better.She'd glimpsed those calculating eyes when Luna thought no one was watching — the daughter of a dissident councilor playing the fool to gather information unseen.

"I doubt Maven would cancel anything over mere survival concerns," Thalia said, trying to match Luna's light tone despite the knot in her stomach."If anything, she'll probably make it harder.'Combat conditions,'" she said, mimicking Maven's brusque tone.

A shadow fell across them as Ashe appeared, her tall frame imposing even among the Northern students.The red streaks in her black hair seemed to catch what little light filtered through the high windows, like embers trapped in obsidian.

"They're saying we might be cut off for weeks," Ashe said without preamble, her green eyes sharp as she surveyed the hall."The Western passage is already frozen over, and if the Isle Wardens have blocked the Jagged Strait..."She left the sentence unfinished, but her meaning was clear.

Thalia felt her chest tighten."How bad could it get?Frostforge must have reserves, right?"

Luna shrugged, her apparent nonchalance too perfect to be genuine."The academy's stood for centuries.I'm sure they have contingencies."

But Ashe's jaw tightened, the tendons in her neck standing out like cords."I've seen what winter isolation does to settlements in the Reaches.Five years ago, a village three days' ride from my clan's territory was cut off by a three-week blizzard.They ran out of food.By the time paths cleared enough for aid to reach them, seventeen were dead — mostly children and elders."

The cold in Thalia's bones seemed to intensify.She reached into her pocket, fingers finding the worn edges of her father's compass.The metal was cool against her skin, its familiar weight grounding her as she traced the engraved constellation on its cover.She thought of her mother and Mari back in Verdant Port.However bad things might get at Frostforge, at least they had stocks of preserved food.Her family had often lived day to day on whatever they could earn or trade.

"The food shortage is concerning," Thalia said quietly, "but we're being trained to survive, right?Isn't that what this place is all about?"The words sounded hollow even to her own ears.

"The real problem isn't running out of supplies."

Thalia startled at Roran's voice.He'd approached so quietly she hadn't noticed him, unusual for someone typically so animated.His normally warm face was taut, his eyes narrowed.

"It's the fact that the Isle Wardens have been increasing their raids," he continued, tension coiling in his words."They're becoming bolder.And we don't know if we'll be able to hold them off if they get any closer."

A chill ran down Thalia's spine.She'd never heard that edge in Roran's voice before — the hatred sharpening his words like a whetstone on steel.His hands were clenched at his sides, knuckles white.

Beside Thalia, Ashe nodded."In the North, we have a saying.When the wolves grow bold enough to approach the fire, it means they're desperate.Isle Wardens don't take risks unless they're driven to it."

"What do they want?"Thalia asked, her voice barely above a whisper."Why now?"

Before Roran could answer, a hush fell over the hall like a blanket of snow.The sea of students parted as Instructor Maven strode through the main entrance, her tall figure casting a long shadow across the flagstones.The metal plate covering her missing eye gleamed in the torchlight, reflecting pinpricks of flame that made it seem as though a star had been imprisoned in the darkness where her eye had been.

"Enough," Maven's voice cut through the whispers like a blade through ice, leaving silence in its wake."You will not panic.You will not crumble under pressure.The Isle Wardens think they can threaten Frostforge, but this is not the first time we've been isolated.It will not be the last."

Thalia exchanged glances with Luna and Ashe.Maven's words were confident, but Thalia could see the tight line of her mouth, the subtle tension in her shoulders.The instructor was concerned, even if she wouldn't show it openly.

"As for the supply situation," Maven continued, her voice echoing off the vaulted ceiling, "we will begin rationing immediately.Each student will receive reduced portions starting tomorrow morning.Some of you will be assigned to assist in gathering additional resources — hunting parties, ice fishing teams, foraging groups."

Murmurs rose once more, but quieted instantly when Maven's eye narrowed.

"If necessary, we will send a team to Winterhearth Haven to secure additional supplies.The journey is dangerous, especially with increased Warden activity, but we have skilled navigators among our ranks."

Winterhearth Haven was the nearest settlement to Frostforge.Thalia hadn’t yet been, but she knew that in the warmer months, students were often rewarded for performance with short stays in the village, hearty meals at one of its inns.If Frostforge was cut off from the rest of the world, Winterhearth was likely their lifeline.A place where news, supplies, and the rare comfort of civilization could still reach them.

"There will be no panic," Maven declared, scanning the faces before her."We will be prepared.We will remain steadfast.This is not merely a challenge — it is an opportunity to prove yourselves worthy."

Her gaze swept the crowd, and Thalia felt herself stiffen as that amber eye seemed to pause on her.Did it linger a moment longer?Was there calculation in that look, or simply coincidence?

"Now, back to your schedules," Maven barked, her tone sharp and dismissive."We don't have time for idle chatter."