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Heat flushed Thalia's cheeks despite the cold.She knew the type — Southern nobility who viewed those from her district as little more than animate tools, useful when needed, invisible otherwise.Doubtless, Brynn would try to align herself with Northern students at the academy, seeking high standing.Anger rose in her throat, a retort forming on her tongue.

Then she paused.Brynn's opinion of her was meaningless.What mattered was surviving Frostforge and ensuring Mari would never face Selection.Thalia swallowed her pride, turning away from Brynn's contemptuous gaze.

The sleds were loaded, the recruits organized into rough columns.Master Linnea took her position at the front of the caravan, mounting a surefooted northern horse with practiced ease.

"Frostforge awaits," she called, her voice echoing off the ice-clad walls of the fjord."Those who falter will be left behind.The North does not suffer weakness."

The caravan lurched into motion, ponies snorting as they took the weight of the sleds.Thalia fell into step with the other walking recruits, feeling the first upward incline of the path that would lead them into the mountains.Above them, the sky stretched endlessly blue — a cold, clear beauty that offered no warmth, no comfort.Only the promise of the journey ahead.

Thalia dug her heels into the frost-hardened ground and began to climb.

***

The path twisted upward like a serpent, each curve revealing steeper terrain and thinner air.Thalia's lungs burned, her breath coming in ragged gasps that crystallized before her face.Two hours into the climb, and already her legs trembled with each step.The other Southern recruits around her fared no better — faces pale beneath wind-burn, lips blue with cold, bodies hunched against the mountain's hostility.

The Northern recruits moved with practiced ease, their bodies accustomed to the altitude and biting wind.They spoke among themselves in low voices, occasionally glancing back at the struggling Southerners with expressions ranging from amusement to disdain.Thalia forced herself to straighten, unwilling to provide further entertainment.

The mountain path narrowed, forcing the recruits into single file.Sharp rocks jutted through patches of ice, threatening to twist an ankle with every step.Thalia focused on the boots of the recruit ahead of her, using their rhythm to maintain her own pace.One foot, then the other.Do not stop.Do not falter.

But her body betrayed her.The thin air tore at her lungs.Black spots danced at the edges of her vision.Her next step landed wrong — her ankle rolled, sending a spike of pain up her leg.She stumbled, one knee striking the frozen ground as her balance failed.

Not even halfway up the mountain, and already her strength waned.Behind her, other recruits continued their march, faces averted.No one stopped.No one helped her.

"Giving up already?We've barely started the fun part."

A hand appeared in her field of vision — strong, with callused fingers and a small burn scar across the knuckles.Thalia followed the arm up to a face framed by wild black curls partially constrained in a loose tie.The young man offered an easy grin that crinkled the corners of his dark eyes, his hand still extended.

"I'm Roran," he said."Roran Bright.You look like you could use a friend about now."

Thalia hesitated, pride warring with practicality.Finally, she grasped his hand, allowing him to pull her to her feet."Thalia Greenspire," she managed between breaths."And I wasn't giving up."

"Course not."His smile widened."Just taking a moment to admire the scenery, right?"

Despite herself, Thalia felt the corner of her mouth quirk upward."Something like that."

Roran fell into step beside her as the path widened slightly."Not quite like home, is it?"he asked, gesturing to the frozen landscape around them.

"Not exactly," Thalia admitted, her breathing still labored."Verdant Port isn't known for its mountains or...its ice."

"You’re from Verdant Port?"When Thalia nodded, Roran continued, "Thought so.I'm from the Southern Kingdoms too — Amber Coast."He glanced up at the steel-gray sky above them."Have to say, I'm missing those tropical breezes right about now."

The path grew steeper, cutting back and forth across the mountainside.Thalia's thighs burned with each upward step.The thin air made her dizzy.Around her, other recruits began to falter — one boy collapsed, wheezing, only to be hauled to his feet by an instructor and shoved toward one of the sleds.

"Control your breathing."

The voice came from behind Thalia.She turned to see one of the Northern recruits, a tall young woman with striking features.Her black hair was streaked with red — not the dull copper of a natural redhead, but vivid crimson, deliberate and stark against the darkness.Part of it was intricately braided along her scalp, the rest flowing free past her shoulders.

"Three shallow breaths, then one deep one," the woman continued, her green eyes assessing Thalia with cool efficiency."Move with the mountain, not against it.Let your feet find purchase before you shift your weight."

Thalia bristled at being instructed like a child, but the Northern woman had already demonstrated her superior adaptation to the terrain.Pride was a luxury Thalia couldn't afford.She adjusted her breathing as suggested, focusing on her footing.

"Thanks," she managed between breaths."I'm Thalia."

"Ashe Redwood."The woman nodded curtly."The altitude sickness passes after a few days.The cold never does."With that, she moved ahead, her stride long and confident.

Roran whistled low."She’s a Northern clan warrior," he murmured."See the red in her hair?That’s the mark of a coming-of-age ritual."

"You know a lot about Northern clans," Thalia observed, still implementing Ashe's breathing technique.