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Luna watched them both, her fingers idly tracing patterns on the worn cover of her book.“I don’t want to discourage you,” she said.“But….”

Thalia sensed her hesitancy.“It’s okay,” she said quickly.“You don’t have to come.We need someone to remain here, just in case we don’t come back – someone who knows where we are.”Privately, Thalia didn’t think that a search party would spring up if needed; Frostforge’s administration was far more likely to let two students perish in the Golem Fields without help.But she didn’t want Luna to feel pressured to join them.

Luna gave her a grateful look.Thalia reached out to clasp her hand briefly.

"We'll need to gather supplies tonight," Ashe said, already mentally preparing."Ropes, extra gloves, water flasks—"

"Well, well," a cool voice interrupted from the doorway."Planning a little adventure, are we?"

Thalia whirled around.Brynn stood in the open doorway, arms crossed over her chest, her tall frame silhouetted against the dim light of the corridor.Her dark hair was pulled back in a severe braid, accentuating her sharp features and the haughty lift of her chin.

"How long have you been there?"Thalia demanded, cursing herself for not checking that the door was properly closed.

"Long enough," Brynn replied, stepping fully into the room and closing the door behind her with a soft click."The Golem Fields?Harvesting herbs?Rather ambitious for a slum-dweller."

Thalia bristled at the deliberate dig at her background."This doesn't concern you, Brynn."

"Doesn't it?"Brynn's smile didn't reach her eyes."Southern students are being blamed for the lack of supplies.You don't think that concerns me?"

“Only because you want to save face in front of your Northern allies,” Thalia muttered.“You feel no loyalty to the rest of us Southerners.”

She watched Brynn’s expression closely.Since she had discovered evidence of sabotage, Brynn had been one of her top suspects.Brynn was Southern, yes, but she had more disdain for her lower-class fellows from the Kingdoms than she did for those from the Reaches.As far as Thalia was aware, she hadn’t yet been targeted for any sabotage; in fact, almost all of those sabotaged had been from lower social stations than Brynn.Luna, the daughter of a city councilor, had escaped targeting thus far, while Thalia herself, one of the poorest Southerners to arrive at Frostforge this year, had taken the brunt of the attacks.

It was a pattern Thalia couldn’t ignore.

“Believe what you like,” Brynn said coolly, her face betraying nothing but scorn.“I'm not about to let a Northerner and a low-born slum-dweller steal all the glory — or get themselves killed trying.I'm coming with you."

"We don't need your help," Thalia said firmly.

"Don't you?"Brynn arched an eyebrow."I'm top of the class in combat training.I've been practicing ice-ward spells with Instructor Varik after hours.Unlike you lot, I’m a survivor.”

Ashe's face darkened."I've survived blizzards that would freeze your pampered bones solid."

"Stop it, both of you," Luna interjected, her usually dreamy voice suddenly sharp."This isn't helping."She turned to Thalia, dark eyes serious."She has a point.An extra fighter would increase your chances of success."

Thalia felt trapped.Every instinct warned against trusting Brynn, yet the practical side of her recognized the value of Brynn's skills.And perhaps keeping her close would be safer than leaving her behind to potentially report their plan.

"Fine," Thalia said at last."But we do this my way.We're going for herbs, not glory.We get in, gather what we need, and get out.No unnecessary risks."

Brynn's smile was sharp as a blade."Of course.I wouldn't dream of jeopardizing such a noble mission."

The sarcasm in her tone made Thalia's teeth clench, but she pushed forward."We'll need bags for the herbs.And waterskins.Smokeneedle needs to be kept damp or it loses potency."

"I have leather satchels in my room," Brynn offered."Waterproofed.A gift from my father before I left."

"I'll bring ropes and extra gloves," Ashe said, studiously avoiding looking at Brynn."And Luna, can you draw us a rough map of the fields?From what you've read?"

Luna nodded, already moving to her desk where neat stacks of parchment waited."I'll mark the likely areas for herb growth.The shelter of metal structures, with proximity to ice formations.The runoff from melting ice creates the perfect growing environment."

As her friends began preparations, Thalia felt a flutter of anxiety mixed with determination.She was leading them into danger — real danger, not just the controlled risks of academy training.If anything happened to any of them…

But the image of Mona's burned arm remained vivid in her mind.Of the healers' frustrated helplessness.Of the growing divide between Northern and Southern students as resources dwindled and tensions mounted.Thalia had hoped that the recent truce between the students of the two regions would last, but the peace had been woefully short-lived.

"We'll meet at the eastern storage shed before dawn," Thalia said."Dress warmly.The Golem Fields are exposed to the wind coming off the glaciers."

Brynn gave a mocking half-bow."Your wish is my command, Herb Girl."

She scowled at the nickname, but Thalia merely nodded.Let Brynn have her petty jabs.Tomorrow would test all of them in ways that had nothing to do with social standing or regional rivalries.