7 Mushing With Mica

Mica's hut was a dinky little ramshackle cabin in the middle of the woods, but its insides glowed invitingly. Rousing himself from his slumber, Silvio assisted Mica in freeing the dogs. They raced off to their wooden houses in the yard, the bitter cold too much for even them. Mica lifted Jan, and Silvio carried the staves and the salmon catch behind him.

Supporting Jan in one arm, Mica stomped the snow from his boots before opening the door.

"Micaiah?" called an old man. "Have you returned?"

"Yes, Papa!" said Mica. "I brought some friends!"

They entered the cabin, cozy warmth immediately blasting in their faces. A fire blazed in the hearth, and Mica helped Jan remove his wet coat, setting him down on a cushion in front of it.

The old man sat in an ancient easy chair, so worn the stuffing seeped through the stitches, his leg elevated on the footrest. "What is this? These boys are Sorcerers?" he asked as soon as he saw the staffs, confused. "Are they with the Lord Superior?"

"No, Papa. They are magic students of Isaana's."

"Ah, thank goodness. The storm out there's so bad I was worried about you gettin' home, Mica."

"Don't mind me. How's your leg?"

"You know how it works. My knee always hurts worse in this kind of weather. How was the salmon catch today?"

"Not good, I'm afraid."

"They run less and less each year. Mica, how will we feed the dogs? We can't rely on the Company Store for all our food."

"Um…" Silvio spoke up. "Thank you for letting us stay, Mr…"

"Rebane, Milord," he introduced himself in a somewhat exasperated tone, "they call me Pops Rebane. An' you know my son, Micaiah?"

"This is Herra Silvio Sabatka!" Mica introduced him with a flourish. "The Sorcerer I told you about? With the good idea for the old mine carts?"

"Ah! Thank you so much for your help, Herra Silvio!"

"Just Silvio will do," he said.

"Well, I insist on being called 'Herra,'" said Jan.

"And this is Herra Jan Addens. They were lost in the woods and I luckily found them."

Pops Rebane leaned back in his seat. "You boys look half froze to death! Please, dry out by the fire. Micaiah! Offer them hospitality! There's anijsmelk on the stove!"

"Yes, sir!" Mica flitted over to the stove, pulling two copper mugs from the cupboard. Ladling the warm milk and anise seed drink into the cups, he brought them over to the children, who accepted them graciously. Silvio sighed with relief as he sipped the drink, feeling the warmth spread through him.

His stomach growled.

"Are you hungry?" asked Mica. "Please pardon the empty cabinets, but all we have is porridge. Unless you want salmon popsicles." He laughed.

Silvio wanted to refuse, but his empty stomach wouldn't tolerate any politeness from him. "Porridge sounds perfect right now, thanks. How about you, Jan?"

Mica pulled back, as though expecting to be rebuked by him, but Jan did nothing but sink back into the fur-lined cushion. "Make that two. Listen, Worker… I mean, Mica."

The redhead turned around, a look of surprise crossing his countenance.

"You've helped me out twice. Thanks."

"Oh…" Mica blinked. "You're very welcome. Two bowls of porridge, comin' right up!"

As Mica cooked, the boys continued enjoying their anijsmelk. The Rebane household was by no means luxurious, but it was nice and friendly. It felt like a home. Silvio shivered.

"Silvio," said Mica, stirring the oatmeal, "there's extra blankets up in the loft. Why don't you grab one for yourself and Jan?"

"Ah!" Silvio cleared his throat and got up. "Good idea!" He hoisted himself up a ladder leading to a small loft above them. He felt weak from his ordeal, but it wasn't that bad a climb. The loft was only big enough to hold a small bed, chest, and set of drawers. On top of the drawers was a stack of board games, a poorly-bound book, and a jar filled with feathers from wild birds. Assorted toys were strewn here and there, but they had long since been abandoned to gather dust. This must be Mica's room, he thought. Silvio looked at the bed. It was quaint and inviting, with two pillows propped up over a red patchwork quilt, but it looked too perfectly made, like the pictures of bedding sets he saw in his mother's catalogs. It didn't look like Mica had slept in it recently, and he couldn't pick up a single whiff of his scent, either.

He must work so hard he never got to sleep.

Silvio frowned, and turned his attention to the chest. The blankets were probably in there. He went to open the top... ah, no use. It was locked. No, wait... He pressed down on the keyhole, and it swung open. Aha! A trick chest. Hana had one of those, once, but a jewelry box instead. When they were about eight, Silvio figured out the secret and took her pocket money.

... He made sure to never provoke his mother's wrath like that again.

Silvio gasped in surprise at what he saw.

There were several golden bangles, necklaces, and a pair of finely-embroidered slippers nestled atop a beautiful silken robe. But that was nothing compared to the crown! It was of impeccable craftsmanship, bejeweled with hundreds of rubies and high-grade pearls, and just tossed aside like that! Even if the rest of it was somehow costume jewelry, the robe and slippers alone had to be worth thousands of kronora. None of these items fit the low standard of living the Rebanes demonstrated otherwise. Silvio's lips flapped up and down, and he quickly shut the chest, feeling as though he stumbled across something he wasn't supposed to.

"Silvio?" Mica called. "Have you found them, yet? They're in the bottom drawer!"

"Uh... J-Just about!" he stammered, and he rushed over to it, pulling the blankets out and chucking them down to Jan. He got returned to the ground floor soon afterwards, looking at Mica out of the corner of his eye.

Was Mica a thief? He didn't seem like the type...

"Say," said Pops, breaking the silence, "why are two acolytes of Isaana-sa all the way out here anyway? You're a far cry from Komouruska."

"We were flying to Hakalai Pass," said Jan, "to deliver an invitation to Eleora-sa for the Illunis Festival, when we got stranded in the blizzard."

"Is that so? Some thanks from her that is!"

Jan rolled his eyes. "Tell me about it."

"It's lucky Mica was there to rescue you... but that's the way that boy is! He's always bringin' home lost travelers and injured animals and nursin' them back to health! Eat us out of hearth and home, they do!"

"How could I just leave them?" said Mica. He opened an empty jar of what probably once contained cloudberry jam and sighed, casting it aside. "Papa, I'm just doin' the same for them as you did for me several years ago."

"I can count on one hand how many times you've gone out to gather food and not brought someone back! The baby moose was probably the worst..."

Jan rolled his eyes. "Well, Worker, aren't you just a fairytale princess?" he said. "What, do you care for orphans, too?"

"Oh, I love the orphans!" Mica said, bringing over two piping-hot bowls of porridge. "Every Sunday I go to Rirasiru-sa's orphanage to make them soup!"

"Guh..." Jan sputtered.

Silvio relaxed a bit, blowing on the spoon to cool his porridge. How could he have doubted him? Mica was honestly a wonderful person. A perfect person, even. Those fancy things must be gifts.

"Hey, Mica?" asked Silvio.

"What's up?"

"Have you gotten word from anyone in Minumna that Ffion landed there?"

"Ffion?"

"Our teacher. You know, the blonde woman who came with us on the field trip?"

"Ohhh." He nodded. "I know who you're talking about. Unfortunately, we're cut off from town at the moment. Unlike you, us Workers can't use Message Crystals." Mica laughed, but upon seeing Silvio's grim expression, pursed his lips. "What's wrong? Did somethin' happen to her?"

"I don't know." Silvio set his cup down. "We got separated from her. We can't get ahold of her. I'm worried something might've happened."

"Hmm." He tapped his chin. "Silvio, I would have faith in Neiti Ffion. She's alive, I'm sure of it! The High Priestess of Isaana isn't likely to be defeated by a measly snowstorm!"

"You have a point," said Silvio. "I feel a little better now." He took a bite. The porridge was dull as it looked, but at least it was warm.

"That's the spirit! I bet you'll be reunited in no time!"

Silvio nodded at his reassurance. Ffion was awkward and jumpier than a jumping spider, but she was still a great Sorceress. He returned to eating his porridge, only to be interrupted seconds later by a knock at the door.

Mica and Pops froze up.

"You gonna answer that?" asked Jan.

Mica pulled himself away from the stove and trudged to the door, opening it with hesitation. "… Yes?" he asked.

Three men stood in the doorway, their faces highlighted in wicked shadows from the light of their staffs. "You're behind schedule, Rebane," grunted the leader tersely.

Mica shuddered. "What for, Milord?"

"The shipment of stones!"

"With all respect, sir…" Mica filled the doorway to block the Sorcerers from seeing one another. "You mean the shipment to Modrica? That one's due on Wednesday! Surely the Lord Superior knows that?"

"Of course the Lord Superior knows, you idiot. We got an express order from Hakalai Pass and we need you to run it there today!"

"Today?" Mica gasped. "Sir, can't it be delayed until the blizzard stops? My father is ailin' and I need to take care of him."

"The economy doesn't care about snow. You will run that shipment right now or you can enjoy some free time unemployed! Then you can care for him all you want. Oh, but how would you pay off your debt then? I know. We could sell those dogs to a furrier!"

"I-I get it!" Mica waved his hands about. "I'll get a move on! Please don't take my dogs."

"I'm glad you've seen reason. Now, get to it. The clock is ticking, Rebane!" The men left, laughing to themselves as if Mica's distress was the funniest thing in the world.

Mica closed the door, his face ashen white. Without another word, he fetched his parka, struggling to get into it in a frenzy.

"You're not really going out there?" asked Silvio, shocked. "That's ridiculous! This storm is…"

"Micaiah, you need to learn to hold your tongue when it comes to Sorcerers," said Pops. He coughed.

Silvio glared at him. "But…"

"No, Papa's right." Mica shook his head and pulled on his boots, still wet and cold with melted snow. "I don't got a choice. The snow's bad, but losin' my job's even worse. Ah… my gloves. Where did I put my gloves?" He frantically tore the mantel apart searching for them.

"Here." Jan waved them about, where Mica had dropped them by him an hour prior.

"Thank you!" He snatched them away and put them on, flexing his fingers inside them.

"Hey, Worker?" asked Jan.

"What? What is it?"

"You're going to Hakalai Pass, right? Mind giving us a lift?"

"Uhhh… I don't think that's a good idea." Mica swung open the door, letting the bitter wind inside. "It ain't safe out there."

"You know we don't care about that, right?" said Silvio.

Mica laughed. "Well, you've both ignored me once before already."

"Then as a Sorcerer, I order you to take us!"

"What? No fair!"

"What did I just tell you, child?" snapped Pops. Mica shut up. "A Worker must show the utmost respect to a Sorcerer. You've got to take them. But boys, my son ain't gonna be held liable for you two. I don't want your families knockin' on my door asking for money on account of you."

"Fair enough." Silvio got up and threw Jan his coat, getting into his as well.

"Fine." Mica made no effort hiding his displeasure, but as at the mine, he didn't sound angry. "Meet me outside." He sprinted out the door, not bothering to close it. In the distance, Silvio heard his muffled shouts for his dogs.

"That child's such a scatterbrain." Pops shook his head. "Please take care of him."

"Aye, aye, captain." Silvio grabbed the staffs and Jan and exited the house. Immediate regret washed over him as the cold's fangs sunk into him even harsher than before. Squinting his eyes, he managed to gain sight of Mica tethering the gigantic Samoyeds into their harnesses. Silvio and Jan sat in the cargo basket.

"Okay." Mica exhaled and threw a blanket over them. "Block the wind with this. First up we're headed to the Emporium to pick up the stones." He gave them no chance to reply. "Mush!" With a flurry of excited barks and yips, the dogs ran as fast as their strong legs would carry them.

They sailed through the forest, pitch black except for the shimmer of Mica's lantern. Soon enough lights began dotting the horizon and they arrived in Minumna, devoid of all life except for lights in the windows and smoke curling out from brick chimneys. The quaint cobbled streets were long since covered in at least thirty centimeters of snow, but the dogs handled it with ease, stopping in front of the Emporium.

Silvio felt the weight of the sled shift as Mica got off the foot boards and wobbled around to the back of the building. He shared the blanket with Jan, saying nothing but understanding his trepidation through the faint glow of his labored breath.

Mica returned a few minutes later, hoisting a wooden box in his arms. Struggling with its weight in the muck, he staggered, almost dropping it, but managed to get it to the sled, dropping it in a pocket above the boys.

"That's it?" asked Jan. "They're making you go out to Hakalai Pass in this crap just to deliver one box?"

Mica shrugged and got the dogs mushing again. "I know it seems silly, but the Lord Superior's word is absolute."

"Well, this Lord Superior guy sounds like a prick." Silvio crossed his arms, watching the lights fade away to pitch-black forest once more. "And who goes about calling themselves the 'Lord Superior' anyway?"

Mica snorted. "He's a terribly vain man! But when you're as rich as he is I guess you can afford t' be."

"I think him and his little lackeys are making you do too much. You should quit your job and get a fairer one."

Mica gasped.

Jan was quick to set him straight. "An unemployed Worker has as much social status as an Unforgivable."

"Lord Jan is right." Mica took a sharp turn, jostling them about. "There are too many Workers and too few jobs we're allowed to hold. If I quit my job, I might not be able to get a new one." He sighed. "An' I know the Lord Superior's an idiot—everyone knows that—but he offers the best gig in the country for people like me."

Silvio sulked deep down into the blanket. "Doesn't seem like it to me. How much is he paying you?"

"Ah… well, we're not exactly paid." At the sight of Silvio turning around to give him a puzzled look, Mica explained himself. "Well, I mean we are but we aren't. Do you know what a Company Store is? The Minumna Mine employees are under contract to only buy goods there. We're given some credits to use on interest to pay back later if we can't afford something there, which is… everythin'." He scratched the nape of his neck. "It's super expensive. Along with payin' the rent, you have to put yourself in the red just to feed your family! And since I don't make enough money to pay back the Company, my debt just keeps gettin' worse."

"That's awful!"

"We're all in debt. I'm hardly a sob story. But I think it's safe to say my soul belongs to the Mine."

Mica giggled, but Silvio didn't find it funny. Coming from a rich family, Silvio didn't fully understand the concept of debt, but he felt Mica was only making light of his situation so he wouldn't worry.

... Then again, why didn't he just sell the valuable items in his chest? Something wasn't adding up.

By now they were long past the forest and above the alpine line, running in a field peppered with towering glaciers. The snow had slowed down, too, flitting down without the harsh winds to carry them. Silvio marveled at the absolute stillness of the wilderness, looking up to the sky. The clouds were breaking up, and along with thousands of twinkling stars Eleora's aurora borealis undulated across the sky in breathtaking splendor.

"Is it night already?" asked Silvio.

"No," said Jan. "In Hakalai Pass it's dark all day around this time of year."

"Whoa."

"How do you not know this?"

"I'm from the far south of Gesmaura. This country sure is huge, huh?"

Jan nodded in agreement and joined Silvio in stargazing. So wrapped up in it were they that when Mica started slowing down they only noticed it after several moments.

"Hey, Mica, what's wrong?" asked Silvio.

The miner pointed ahead of them. "See that?"

Silvio craned his neck. Far ahead of them was a sled wreck. It looked fresh.

"I'm gonna check it out," said Mica.

"But what about the schedule…?"

"Making sure people ain't hurt is more important." Mica drove his dogs to a halt and parked by the wreckage, hopping off the sled and into the snow. Taking his lantern, he shone it through the cracks of the upturned sled. "Hello? Is anyone here?"

Silvio got out of the basket and joined him, looking for footprints that might indicate where the owner went, but there were none. The blizzard must've covered them up.

"Um?" spoke up Jan.

"What is it?"

"Does something seem a little off to you?"

"What do you mean?"

"Worker Mica, is this a common route?"

"Huh? Yes. This is the only way to get to Hakalai Pass by sled."

Jan peered out the basket. "Well, there's no other town until Hakalai Pass. Any musher would know that. So isn't it strange for them to abandon the sled when they're more likely to be rescued here on a busy route than if they wandered off? And where are the dogs?"

Mica paused and walked around the front, gasping. "There's no harness! What the…?"

"Isn't this suspicious to you?"

"So are you saying…?" The realization suddenly hit Silvio like a sack of bricks. "This is a… trap?"

"Get on the ground!" Angry voices surrounded them, and two large men dressed all in black sprung up from behind an ice boulder, approaching them. Silvio froze up at the sight of them, one wielding a rusty cutlass, the other a spear.

"Unforgivables!" whispered Jan.

The dogs whimpered and pawed at the ground.

"What do you want?" asked Mica coolly, stepping between them and the boys.

"The sled or your lives—hey, watch out, that kid's a Sorcerer!"

One of the men lunged at Jan, caught red-handed with his staff, and grabbed him, tearing it away and throwing him roughly into the snow.

"How dare you!" shouted Silvio, and he lurched forward, only to feel Mica's firm grip on his shoulder.

"Hey, there's enchanted stones in here!" called the man in the sled, prying off the top of the box. "And the dogs should be worth a lot, too! We're gonna make a killin'!"

The other one pressed the tip of his spear to Mica's throat. "So how about it, little lady? Or should we kill the kids first?"

"Don't you…"

"Oh, just kidding. You know what? I'm feeling charitable today. You're a lovely lass." The man flashed a predatory smile and grabbed Mica by the chin, yanking him right up into his face. Mica squirmed, face beading up with nervous sweat despite the freezing cold. "Hey, sweetheart, if you give us a kiss then we'll only take the stones. Just one kiss. How 'bout it?"

The miner dropped his brave act, stammering in fear. "N-No…"

"C'mon," the Unforgivable smirked. "Why not? It's a good deal."

Silvio couldn't stand to watch. Steeling his resolve, his clenched his fists. "Leave him alone!" he shouted.

The man's reaction was visceral and immediate. "What? It's a guy? Disgusting!" Digging his nails into him, he thrust Mica into the snow like the other did to Jan.

"Never mind. It doesn't matter if you agree or not—we're taking everything anyway! Good luck getting to Hakalai Pass before you freeze to death. You're gonna need it!" Chortling, the man jumped onto the footboards and whipped the dogs. Barking up a storm, they ran off at top speed.

Mica watched them disappear into the distance with an incredulous look. "I expected you to sick 'em!" he screamed into the void, shaking his fists. "Some man's best friends you are, you ingrates!" Whimpering, he sunk to his knees, clutching his head in his hands. "Oh no, oh no—what am I gonna do?" he muttered, shaking all over. "Gods, I'm so fired!" Mica took several deep breaths, trying to control his panic. "Well, I really screwed the pooch on this one, eh?" he said, forcing a smile. "I'm so sorry. I should've done somethin' more but I panicked…"

"It's okay," Silvio tried to reassure him. "Those guys were awful. Are you okay?"

"Yes, I am." Mica rubbed his Temples. "I'm sorry… I get creeped on a lot. I'm still not used to it…."

"It's not your fault they decided to be gross," said Silvio.

"Okay… What do we do now?" asked Jan, rubbing at a bruise. "They took my staff."

"But they didn't take mine!" Smirking, Silvio opened up his coat, revealing his staff tucked inside. "Let's get that sled back!"

"How?"

"We can fly!"

"You know you're slow!" Seeing Silvio's expression, Jan backtracked. "What I mean is, even if I cast the spell I don't think I could catch up, either. Let's just… let's just focus on survival right now, okay? Geez, I didn't think I'd be stranded in the wilderness twice today!"

Mica jumped to his feet and pointed ahead of him. Alarmed, Silvio looked where he indicated. A big white blob came barreling toward them.

"Polar bear!" he gasped.

"No, not a polar bear!" said Mica. The blob got closer, and he gazed into its shimmery black eyes, watched its big paws bounce against the powdery snow, heard its heavy panting…

"Dog!"

"Juniper!" Mica cried. "Here, girl! Here!" He whistled and her ears perked up, breaking out into a full gallop toward her master. The excited Samoyed jumped right up onto him, almost knocking him over.

"Did you escape?" Mica asked her in a baby-talk voice, giving her many pets and belly rubs. "Did you escape the bad men? Good girl! Very good girl! And that's why you're my favorite! Good Juni!"

The dog woofed.

"Oh, great, a dog." Jan rolled his eyes. "If we share it between the three of us then maybe we won't freeze to death, at least."

"We can catch up to them!" said Mica, eyes blazing.

"And how are we going to…?"

Mica picked him up and plopped him on the dog's back. "We're gonna ride."

"What? The dog? All three of us?"

Mica nodded, clambering onto her as well. "She can probably hold all three of us. We'll launch an ambush like they did to us. Silvio, do you have the stones for claras ardeat?"

He examined his staff and shook his head.

"Hmm… Okay then, that's still fine. Leave it to me!"

Silvio shrugged and climbed onto the dog's back, grasping onto Mica's coat. "It's worth a try, at least. What do you think, Jan?"

The blond Sorcerer expelled a quick stream of air. "This sucks," he said.

But even he knew it was their best bet. Digging his heels into her side, Mica commanded Juniper to mush, the white dog barking her head off as usual as she lurched into a full gallop. Silvio gripped tighter, having trouble keeping his balance with the dog's uneven gait. He had no experience riding animals, and neither did Jan, but Mica handled it like a champ, leaning into her as she accelerated.

Snow kicked up behind them and sprayed to the side, the northern lights leading them with purpose on their frenetic mission. And then, amongst the darkness of Hakalai nights, a sled lantern bobbed a few hundred meters in front of them.

"Faster!" Mica shouted, egging his dog on. "C'mon, we're almost caught up!"

But no matter how the poor thing huffed and puffed, she just couldn't catch up. Juniper wheezed and panted. Concerned, Mica slowed the pace, anxiously kneading his hands through her scruff.

"Guess I put too much pressure on you, eh, girl?" he said, despondent.

Jan looked back at him. "Let me off!" he commanded. "It's carrying too much! I'm dead weight so drop me."

Mica shook his head, kicking Juniper back into high gear. "Sorry, Milord. You can put me in the pillory if you want, but this time I ain't followin' orders!"

"What the hell?" Jan tried to dismount, but scrambled back up when he saw how fast the ground moved beneath their feet. "Just get your crap back and come back for me later. What gives?"

"If you're alone in the wilderness, you'll get gobbled up by a predator! If you're eaten, then I can't fulfill my promise of deliverin' you to Hakalai Pass, right?"

"Good grief." Jan whistled through his teeth. "That's a helluva way of explaining it. But I don't have magic right now! All I'm doing is dragging you down!"

The wind whipped against the back of Silvio's head, and he stuck his hand out, getting a feel for the direction. Without another word, he handed his staff over to Jan.

"What are you planning?" he asked.

"Your magic's the strongest. Do luminosi alosisu on the dog."

"Yeah, that's not gonna help anything."

"Yeah, it will!" Silvio insisted. "My dad used to take me in his sailboat on the lake. We've got a tailwind!"

"Oh, I think I get it," said Mica. "So if we give Juni wings, she can use them as a sail for a speed boost?"

"Yep, that's the idea."

"I think Juni would be cute with wings."

"Uh… that too, Mica, that too."

"All right." Jan sighed. "Last time we tried one of your ideas, we almost died, but all right. Luminosi alosisu." With a flick of the wrist, he cast the spell, engulfing Juniper in a brilliant red light. Woofing a jubilant woof, she sailed into the air, wings unfurling two meters past her fluffy body.

The wind hit them like a brick, careening them at breakneck speed toward the renegade dog sled. Juniper seemed to find new life in her wings as she tore along the ground with pure puppy joy, barking up a storm and ruining any chances of a surprise ambush.

Silvio heard panicked voices up ahead, the crack of a whip urging the dogs to run faster, but they were at top speed already. Grasping onto Mica for dear life, jowls flopping in the wind, he gave them a mocking wave hello as they overtook the sled.

Mica abruptly stood up on Juniper's back, almost causing Silvio to fall off. "H-H-How dare you take my doooooooogssss!" he cried, pulling out an axe.

What the heck? Did he have that the whole time?

With all the great strength of a miner, he swung his axe into the frame of the sled, digging it in. He shouted another angry shout and jerked the sled toward him, inhibiting their speed. Mica grabbed the bandit's arm. "And! And!" he yelled. "And you can't just go forcin' people to kiss you either, you… you… mean person!" And with that, he flipped the man over his head and sent him flying, landing several feet back in the snow with a thud and a few undignified rolls.

Silvio and Jan flashed each other a wide-eyed slack-jawed glance.

Turning his attention to the other robber, Mica flipped forward himself, grabbing the sled handles in mid-flight and locking the other hapless man into a full-nelson with his legs. Jerking his body around to incapacitate him, Mica met him in the sled basket and delivered a swift uppercut to the jaw, punching him out of the sled. He grabbed the dogs' harnesses and gave a tight yank, and the animals slowed down to a full stop. Juniper stopped a moment later as well, trotting up to them and licking them like nothing just happened.

Calm as a cucumber, Mica got out of the basket and took the sword, shattering it against an ice boulder. Then he grabbed his axe and pulled it out, throwing the spear into midair and cutting it in half with a single thwack. He approached the terrified men with axe in hand, fast enough to regroup but not fast enough to run away.

"P-Please forgive us!" they stammered, prostrating themselves in the snow and ice. "W-We won't rob anyone anymore if you just let us go!"

"Ehh?" Mica cocked his head. "Should I, now?"

Jan recovered his staff and handed Silvio's back to its rightful owner. "What are you going to do to them, Worker?" he asked, eyeing them with distaste. "They have robbed, harassed, and made a mockery of three people of higher caste than them."

"Ohh, that is quite bad!" said Mica.

The Unforgivables shrunk back.

"You know," said Jan, and his eyes narrowed to little slits, "it's not a crime to kill an Unforgivable."

Silvio looked at him in shock.

At those words, Mica stopped walking forward, shaking his head at the trembling men. "How disgusting. You really are cowards, ain't ya?" he asked, tsking. "You two are too pathetic to be highwaymen. You did this because you need money, right?" He opened his coat and placed his axe on his utility belt, rifling through his pockets. Jiggling through them a bit, he brought out a coin purse and opened it, throwing a few silver coins at their feet. "Even if you're Unforgivables, you should have some dignity. Don't go robbin' people."

The men didn't react, so surprised were they.

"I don't believe in killin', so I won't stain my hands with your blood. Unless my companions would like to? As a Worker, I should defer to my superiors, y'know!"

Mica looked back at them with a friendly smile. He made his point well. Silvio held his tongue while Jan squirmed in embarrassment, lowering his staff.

"Okay then," he told the men, "I guess you get to live today. But as soon as we get to Hakalai Pass, I'm reportin' you to the police. I heard the law isn't merciful with people like you. Better start runnin' before they find ya!"

Stammering out a few words of thanks, they grabbed the coins and ran away, tripping over themselves against the slippery ice.

Mica sighed and returned to his party, petting Juniper. "Good girl!" he said, taking a piece of jerky out of his pocket and feeding it to her. "Treats!—none for you, traitors," he scolded the other dogs crowding around him. He slipped Juniper back into her harness and took his place back on the footboards. Wordlessly, Silvio and Jan clambered back into the cargo hold as well. Commanding them to run, they took back off on their journey.

"Why did you do that, Worker?" asked Jan after a while.

"Do what?"

"You know what I mean. Why did you give them your money? Aren't you in debt as it is? You don't need to throw it away on scum like them."

Mica scratched his cheek. "They weren't doin' that because they wanted to," he said. "I'm certain that they have families to support, too. Surely they can't make enough money rat catchin' or diggin' graves or whatever jobs it is they're allowed to hold."

"Well, that's their problem," said Jan. "Unforgivables are heretics. If they've been branded by the Gods themselves, then they deserve their place in life."

"But not all Unforgivables committed an offense against them. The mark is passed down through bloodline, much like the Sorcerer's mark, right?"

The blond-haired boy pondered his words. "But it has to be that way," he insisted. "Consequences like those are the best way to deter people from insulting the Gods."

"Is that so?" The lantern flickered. "But if Unforgivables were allowed to redeem themselves and become Workers, then we'd have a lot less crime and panhandlin', right?"

"Well… maybe. But Sorcerers and Workers commit crimes, too." Jan shrugged. "And if they could, then they'd no longer do the jobs they do because no one else wants them. Would you want to be an undertaker?"

"Hmm… probably not," said Mica.

Silvio was silent. Both of them had good points. He had no idea who he agreed with, and to be honest it was more moral philosophizing than he expected this weekend.

"I'm serious about goin' to the police, though," said Mica. "I'm very sorry to ask this of you, especially since you're only supposed to be in Hakalai Pass for a few hours, but could you make a witness statement with me? I think they'd take my report more seriously if two Sorcerers could back up the case."

"Sure," said Silvio, "Ffion's still MIA, so I guess we could meet up with her there."

"Thank you so much!"

"It sure is lucky Juniper came back," said Silvio. "That ride was really something! I didn't even know Samoyeds got this big..."

"Oh," said Mica, "they don't."

"Eh?"

"Remember the animals in the mines? My dogs were also mutated by the divine magical energy in the mountains."

"Then that's REALLY lucky! Too bad humans don't mutate, though..."

"Oh," said Mica, "they do."

And with the day's excitement behind them, they finished the journey without further incident.

-

Silvio stared out the window of the Hakalai Pass Police Station as Mica gave his statement, watching the city lights flicker in the freezing wind. In the distance, Eleora-sa's ice palace Temple stood high and mighty on a mountain, spires almost reaching into the aurora borealis itself.

Sniffling, he brought his cup of cocoa to his lips and just let the heat melt the frost away, shivering.

Jan sat beside him in a borrowed wheelchair from the police, his own cup balanced in his lap. Suddenly, he wiggled around a bit.

"What's wrong?" he asked.

"My message crystal!" Jan took the vibrating crystal out of his shirt pocket, a perplexed look crossing his countenance.

"What? It's working? I thought it was out of juice?"

"It was!" said Jan. "I swear!"

"That's so weird. What do you think happened?"

"No idea." He opened it up and blanched. "Guess who has over forty missed calls from Ffion?"

"When was the last one?"

"Ten minutes ago." He handed the crystal over to him. "Here. You're the smooth talker. Calm her down."

Silvio pursed his lips and dialed her back. She answered immediately.

"JAN? JAN? IS THAT YOU?" she shrieked through the microphone. "WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN I'VE BEEN SEARCHING FOR YOU FOR HOURS WHERE'S SILVIO WHY DIDN'T YOU CALL ME BACK SOONER WHERE ARE YOU—."

"Hi, Professor," said Silvio, "it's Silvio."

"WHERE'S JAN? IS HE DEAD?" Her sobs muffled her words.

"No, Professor Ffion. He's right next to me. We're in Hakalai Pass."

That calmed her down a bit. "What? You made it to Hakalai Pass? Where are you?"

"The police station…"

"WHAT?" Her voice pierced through the crystal, cracking it a bit. "WHY ARE YOU AT THE POLICE CAN'T I LEAVE YOU TWO BOYS ALONE FOR FIVE MINUTES WITHOUT YOU GETTING INTO ANY KIND OF TROUBLE?"

"It's been more like five hours, Professor." Silvio took a deep breath. "We're very sorry for not calling you sooner, but the message crystal wasn't working in the mountains. A Worker rescued us and took us up. We're not hurt or anything—stop hyperventilating, Professor—but we did run into some trouble on the way. No, it's not us who got in trouble."

"Okay," she whimpered. "I'll be there soon. Eleora-sa's starting another blizzard, so wait for me. Don't go anywhere." She hung up.

Silvio passed the message crystal back. "She's freaking out."

"Typical. Her job's totally on the line right now, isn't it?"

"Yep."

Jan rolled his eyes and dialed another person.

"Who's that?"

"My aunt… Hello, Aunt Jude. Yeah, it's me. I'm in Hakalai Pass right now. What? For a class assignment. Can you bring my spare wheelchair over? I was in an accident… no, I'm not dead. I'm not hurt, either. I'm at the police station… NO, AUNT JUDE, I'M NOT A CRIMINAL, GODS. Uh-huh. My message crystal's low on magic. See you soon. Bye." He turned it off and groaned.

At that moment, Mica emerged from the back room and took a seat. Jan went to give his statement next, the door clicking shut behind him. They weren't given any time to speak to one another, though, as the front door banged open and a very icy, very frazzled Ffion barged into the station.

"Silvio!" she cried. She ran toward him but ultimately ended up collapsing into a little sad puddle on the ground. "Thank the Gods you're alive!"

Jan and the police officer poked their heads out to investigate the commotion.

"I… I searched the entire forest for you," she sobbed, sniffling. "I'm so sorry! Please don't tell anyone else about this! Isaana-sa would pitch me off a cliff THEN brand me an Unforgivable!"

"Don't worry about…"

"We demand a favor for our silence," said Jan.

She flitted around, avoiding the police officer's gaze. "Ohhh… fine! We'll work it out later! First let me examine you to see if you're all right!"

The both of them knew very well that Ffion would never simmer down unless they complied. The High Priestess went up to Silvio and tapped on his hand. An eerie feeling like an electric impulse shot through his body. He shuddered, and Ffion withdrew her touch.

"Oh dear," she fretted and fidgeted, "you're developing a cold. Ohh… this is all my fault! But at least that's the only thing wrong with you. I'll fix you up when we get home. Jan Addens! Come here!" She touched his hand as well. "You're fine," she said. "No internal injuries or sickness, but you dislocated your shoulder earlier, didn't you? Not a bad fix. I'll give you something if there's any lingering pain later."

How did she know that? Silvio blinked. He remembered Isaana said she had a Blessing, too. Maybe this had to do with it.

She collapsed into the couch. "At least everyone's safe. I shouldn't have pressured you to fly when you hadn't practiced it before. Ah! Where is this Worker who saved you?"

Mica offered a timid wave.

Ffion sprung up and pulled him into a crushing bear hug.

"Thank you, thank you, thank you! You're the… uh… boy who runs the Minumna field trip, aren't you? Thank you! Thank you so much for saving my students!"

"It's okay!" Mica wheezed through her viselike embrace. "I would've saved them no matter what."

"Let me repay you! Money! Would you like money? Name your sum!"

"O-Oh, Neiti Ffion, I couldn't accept…"

"Then how about work? How would you like to serve as a groundskeeper at Isaana-sa's Temple?"

"That does sound a might temptin'," said Mica, "but me an' Isaana-sa, we're a little…"

"You know Isaana-sa?" asked Silvio.

Mica changed the subject. "I am a Worker who serves Sorcerers, an' that's all there is to it, ma'am. I never considered you to have a debt to me, and even if there was one, these boys helped me out when I was in a pickle earlier, so it's repaid anyway."

Ffion let him go. "Are you sure, dear?"

He nodded. "I mean it."

"If you insist…"

The front door swung open once more and a middle-aged lady, almost a senior, entered, pushing a wheelchair in front of her. Jan waved at her.

"Aunt Jude!" he called.

"A-Aunt?" Ffion stuttered.

"Jan! What in the world happened to you?" asked Jude.

"He's fine!" Ffion shrieked. "Everything is fine! Nothing bad happened!"

"How did you end up at the police?" Jude helped him into the wheelchair.

"These boys witnessed a crime where thieves stole and damaged my property," said Mica. "They're just helpin' me with my case, is all." He winked at Ffion, who shrunk back.

"Oh? Is that it? That's very... nice of you, Jan." She sounded almost confused. "So you're here for a school assignment? I'm glad I get to see you."

"My roommate and I are delivering an invitation to the Komouruska Illunis Festival to Eleora-sa," said Jan.

"I see. You're not going to be able to get to her Temple in this weather, I'm afraid. I've heard this blizzard's supposed to be worse than the last one."

"Welp! That settles it!" said Ffion. "Guess we have to find lodging for tonight, kids!"

"Don't waste your money. I'll put you up for tonight. There's plenty of rooms. And you can have a sleepover with your… ah… friend, Jan! Doesn't that sound fun?"

Jan looked at her. "I have a sleepover with him every night. But… sure."

Something about Jan not denying they were friends made Silvio happy, and his aunt seemed pleased as well. But then he remembered the third party.

"Do you have anywhere to stay, Mica?" he asked.

The miner chuckled. "Oh, I'm not gonna stick around. I'm headed back to Minumna."

"No, you're not!" Aunt Jude scolded. "Even the most experienced musher would be killed in this weather. Don't risk it."

"Aunt Jude, can he stay with us tonight as well?" asked Jan. Her surprise grew more pronounced. "This Worker is a great friend of Isaana-sa's disciples."

"Is he, now? Yes, I suppose he can stay."

"Um!" Mica cleared his throat. "I couldn't possibly stay in the house of a Sorcerer! Besides, I feel bad leavin' my Papa alone."

"He'll be a lot worse off if you die. There are servants' quarters in my home. You can stay there."

"If that's the case, then…" He bowed, his long hair fluttering to the ground. "Thank you for your kindness! I won't be of any trouble at all!"

-

It was around seven in the morning when Silvio woke up. Dark. It was still dark out. He couldn't get used to that. Sitting up in bed, he winced. His muscles hurt all over, no doubt overworked from yesterday. Jan snored quietly in the bed next to him. Trying to be as quiet as possible, Silvio slunk out of bed and tiptoed to the restroom. He relieved himself, then turned on the shower, slipping out of Jan's borrowed pajamas into the hot water.

He closed his eyes and enjoyed it. The warmth felt good against his aching body. He felt strange using Jan's toiletries, even though both he and his aunt insisted that since he didn't live at home right now they might as well not go to waste.

Jan's house was huge—a mansion, even.

The Sabatkas were quite well off themselves; and he was under no delusion he was poor after seeing how Mica lived. They lived in a nice, big house in a gated community in pristine Caershira, but it wasn't as huge as this. He couldn't imagine having his own bathroom or a servant's wing or a grand piano that nobody even played, but for Jan this was his normal. And he thought that spending so much time cooped up in a place this big, aside from his aunt and the servants, he must have been very lonely.

Silvio finished his shower and bundled up in a towel.

He heard a knock at the door.

"Silvio?" asked Jan.

"In here!"

Silvio opened the door but didn't step back into the bedroom where the cold air awaited him.

"You're usually up last. What's going on?"

"Nothing, really." He shrugged. "I was thinking we ought to do something to thank Mica."

"Yeah? And what would that be?"

"I don't think he'd take cash."

"I don't understand that guy. He needs it, doesn't he?"

Silvio brightened up. "When do the markets open?"

"Well, one should be right now…"

"Perfect! Get dressed!" Silvio dashed out of the bathroom and threw on his clothes. Jan sighed, but followed after him anyway. Leaving a note explaining where they were going, they left the house. Mica's dogs were lounging around outside. They lifted their heads up, but didn't bark.

The snow was too deep to push Jan's wheelchair, so they flew into town instead. Silvio felt much more confident doing it this time (the fact that they were in civilization and not the wilderness helped in no small part), and they landed at the market.

Entering the tent, they got to work. They picked up canned vegetables and dried meats and rice and pasta; dog food and beans and flour and other sundries. By the time they were done, they had four bags between the two of them.

They hurried back, and they were just in time, too.

Mica was outside, hooking his dogs up to his sled.

"Mica!" Silvio called.

The miner waved them over. "You're up an' about!" he said with a smile.

"Are you leaving so soon?"

He nodded. "Yes. I'm grateful for you lettin' me stay the night, but I don't wanna overstay my welcome. Besides, I have to get back to Minumna. I probably have work tomorrow despite the snow."

"I understand," said Silvio, "but before you leave, we got you a present!" He handed him one of the bags.

Mica rifled through it in shock. "Oh, wow! For me? I can't accept this…"

"No, take it. You've constantly saved our butts. It's the least we could do. And that's a command!"

Mica laughed. "Suppose I have to then if I don't wanna be locked in the pillory, right?"

"That's right!"

Thanking them, Mica loaded up the groceries and grabbed the harness ropes. "So, I suppose our grand adventure ends now, right?"

"I guess so."

"I'll see ya around, then. If you're ever around Minumna and need help, just call on me!"

"Sure. See you!"

"Bye!"

Jan and Silvio watched him drive away until he was no longer even a speck on the horizon. Ffion came outside, dressed in a hot pink bathrobe.

"There you are!" she said. "We need to deliver the invitation soon then…"

"… Fly back home?" asked Silvio.

"Actually," said Ffion after a beat, "I think we should take the train."