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As they dispersed to gather supplies, Thalia caught Luna's eye.The other girl gave her a small, knowing nod — a silent promise to keep watching, to remain vigilant.

***

Dawn at Frostforge Academy painted the world in shades of pale blue and silver.Thalia's breath clouded before her face as she hurried up the steps onto the flat expanse of the Crystalline Plateau.The sky above was clear now, a vast canvas of fading stars giving way to the first hint of sunrise.She clutched her satchel tighter, feeling the reassuring weight of the water flask, her father’s compass, and a small knife she’d packed.

Ashe was already waiting, a dark silhouette against the snow-covered ground.She wore a fur-lined cloak, the hood pulled up to cover her distinctive hair, and carried a coil of rope slung across her chest.She acknowledged Thalia with a curt nod.

"No sign of our other companion," Ashe said, her tone making it clear what she thought of Brynn's reliability.

"I'm here," came Brynn's voice behind Thalia, causing her to start.Brynn stepped forward, moving with the silent grace that made her so formidable in combat training.Unlike Ashe's practical clothing, Brynn wore what appeared to be a tailored expedition outfit — dark leather reinforced at the knees and elbows, with multiple pouches and straps for equipment."Waiting to see if you'd actually show up or lose your nerve."

“Let’s go,” Thalia said.“We need to be back before dark.We’ll be in trouble as it is for missing classes.”

Without waiting for a response, she set off across the plateau.The others fell into step behind her, their footfalls nearly silent on the packed snow.

The plateau stretched before them like a frozen sea, its surface rippling with subtle waves formed by centuries of ice flows.In the growing light, the ice caught and reflected the dawn in prismatic flashes — brilliant pinks and golds fracturing across the otherwise monochrome landscape.Despite the beauty, Thalia felt exposed, vulnerable.Out here, away from the academy's walls, they were visible for miles.

"Stay close to the ridge line," Ashe advised, pointing to where the plateau began to slope downward to their right.

They adjusted their course, moving in single file with Ashe now taking the lead, her clan training evident in how confidently she read the terrain.Thalia followed, with Brynn bringing up the rear.The only sound was their breathing and the occasional crack of ice beneath their boots.

After twenty minutes of steady progress, the eastern edge of the plateau came into view — a gradual slope that descended toward a vast, irregular field dotted with strange, twisted shapes.The Golem Fields.Even from this distance, Thalia could make out the silhouettes of abandoned constructs — failed experiments or training exercises left to decay in the frozen wasteland.

"We should head down near that outcropping," Thalia said, pointing to a formation of dark rock that jutted from the ice like a broken tooth."It'll give us cover for the descent."

Brynn made a dismissive sound."That adds at least half an hour to our journey.The direct path is faster."

"And more exposed," Ashe countered."Thalia's right.We use the rocks for cover."

Before the argument could escalate, a voice called out behind them, distant but distinct.

"Thalia!Wait!"

She froze, then turned slowly, heart sinking.Kaine Ember was running toward them across the plateau, his tall figure unmistakable even at a distance.His dark cloak billowed behind him, and even from afar, Thalia could see the determination in his stride.

"Frost take me," Ashe muttered."What is he doing here?"

Thalia wondered the same thing.Since his revelation about his imprisonment, she'd kept her distance — partly out of uncertainty, partly out of self-preservation.

The three of them stood frozen in place as Kaine closed the distance.He moved with surprising speed across the treacherous ice, his footing sure and practiced.When he finally reached them, his breath came in controlled puffs, his pale face flushed slightly from exertion.

"Three first-years, running off into the Golem Fields alone?"Kaine said, his intense blue eyes sweeping over their group."Not a chance.You'll get yourselves killed.I'm coming with you."

His gaze settled on Thalia, a complexity of emotions passing across his features too quickly for her to interpret.The morning light caught the angles of his face, highlighting the scar that ran along his jaw — a detail she'd once found intriguing but now viewed with new wariness.What violence had marked him?What violence might lie dormant within him?

Ashe scoffed impatiently."We didn't invite you, Ember.This isn't a training exercise."

"Clearly," Kaine replied, his voice level."If it were, you'd have proper equipment and an actual plan."

Thalia found her voice at last."How did you even know we'd be here?"

Kaine's expression softened slightly."Luna sought me out last night.Told me what you were planning."He shook his head, a hint of admonition creeping into his tone."She's a good friend, Thalia.She was worried, and rightfully so.You wouldn't have stood a chance without someone who knows the fields."

A complicated mix of emotions surged through Thalia — betrayal that Luna had shared their plans, confusion at why she would choose Kaine of all people to confide in, and beneath it all, a treacherous flicker of relief.Despite everything, despite the questions and distance between them, some part of her was glad to see him.

"And you know the fields, do you?"Brynn asked, her voice dripping with skepticism.She positioned herself slightly in front of Thalia, a subtle gesture of protection that surprised Thalia given their contentious relationship.

Kaine met Brynn's challenging gaze evenly."I do.I survived the Frost Walk last year, after all."