Even if she was able to open the portal, Ella couldn't cross to the other world unless she had one of the Evermen by her side. Yet without crossing over, it was highly unlikely Killian would be standing by, knowing the words, ready to pass through the shimmering curtain back to Merralya.
Additionally, the portal required power to open, even for a short time — a great deal of power.
Ella knew the Empire needed Killian's help. The only one who could challenge one of the Evermen would be someone with their powers.
It had been over two years since he'd crossed over to wherever that shining doorway led, but Ella knew in her heart he was still alive, trapped and unable to return home.
The thoughts and ideas whirled around in her head.
Ella only had the germ of an idea.
But visiting the Akari fit in with her plans neatly.
13
THE SUMMER sun made the trek to the icy north infinitely easier, yet even so, Ella wasn't sure if she would have made it without her travelling companions. The journey through Tingara, Torakon, and Loua Louna took Ella through lands she knew nothing about, and then came the cold.
Initially the snow was wet and slushy, heated by the warmth of the sun's rays as soon as it fell. The going was tough and often Ella was wading through pools of snowmelt, freezing cold water that soaked her feet. When they reached colder foothills in the north and the snow hardened, Ella was initially thankful; finally, she was dry. But at night, even her thick clothing couldn't keep the cold at bay.
Ella's companions lit blazing fires while it was still light enough to see, allowing the flames to settle down to red coals. She slept huddled next to the heat, and thanked the stars she wasn't travelling alone.
She journeyed with three tall Akari, two men and a woman, who had travelled to Seranthia as emissaries of the Dain and were now returning home. All three wore skis and they'd given Ella a pair. After some practice on Ella's part, the party of four slid across the surface of the snow like ducks on water.
The two men were brothers, and so alike Ella had difficulty telling them apart. Doelan and Straun both had grey eyes and loose blond hair to their shoulders. Short-bladed swords were scabbarded at their waists, and the brothers wore the grey clothing and furs that were ubiquitous amongst the Akari.
Doelan and Straun had seemed brooding and sullen in Seranthia, yet as soon as their journey took them far enough north to see snow, their mood improved immeasurably. The trek from Seranthia to Ku Kara saw them transform from uncomfortable city folk to capable northerners, happy and resilient.
Ella's final companion was Ada, the eldest of Dain Barden's three daughters. Stern as a mountain, she'd taken a long time to warm to Ella, but gradually her attitude changed. Ella asked Ada countless questions about Ada's culture and Ku Kara, the fabled ice city. The Akari were used to foreigners being afraid of them, and people's fear often turned to hostility. When Ada saw Ella was genuinely curious she slowly began to answer, and Ella found the woman's answers fascinating, with each generally opening up further questions. Ella wouldn't say they were friends, but they made good travelling companions. Ada's hair was a shade lighter than even Ella's, so pale it was almost white, and she wore it in a thick braid. She was perhaps five years older than Ella.
The road ahead was now well-travelled, the snow packed hard. Each side of the snowy road was lined with markers of grey stone, and Ella realised she wasn't aware of where the markers had begun.
"Useful in a whiteout," Ada grunted, noticing Ella's attention.
Ella wasn't sure if she wanted to know what a whiteout was.
"We're here," one of the brothers said.
Ella squinted but the sun was shining on the ice, reflected into her eyes and dazzling her. She tried to look ahead but tears formed in her eyes.
Still ungainly on her skis, she stumbled and blushed when she heard one of the brothers snort.
"Leave her alone," Ada said.
Ella waited a few more minutes, and then she looked up again. She gasped.
Two fragile towers of ice stood on either side of the road, beautiful and imposing in a way no structure of stone could be. Each tower had a ring of points on top and was somehow designed so the weight above tapered to a slender base. On the left was the word "Ku", while the right-hand tower bore the second word, "Kara."
"Well done, Enchantress," Ada said. "You've made it when not many outsiders have."
"With your help," Ella said. She looked at the brothers. "All of you."
One of the brothers, Ella thought it was Doelan, laughed. "I hope you were paying attention."
"Why do you say that?" Ella asked.
"When you leave, it'll be on your own."
~
ELLA wondered if they would be met once inside the city, but it seemed the Akari weren't overly preoccupied with ceremony, treating each other more like a large family than anything else.