IRON AND ICE

CHAPTER 11

TRIALS OF THE BOUND

The throne hall emptied slowly, but tension clung to the air like thick fog. Ingrid stood frozen in the center long after the council dispersed, her pulse refusing to settle.

Trials.

The word hung in her mind like a blade.

In Ravnhold, trials were rites of strength.

In Drakkarvik… they were something else entirely.

Ragnar stepped beside her, his voice low. “Ingrid. We need to talk.”

But before he could guide her away, Ulfgard swept forward, her gown trailing behind her like a smear of blood on the stone floor.

“Well,” she said with a too-sweet smile, “congratulations. You get to embarrass yourself in front of an entire kingdom tomorrow.”

Skaldheim moved so fast Ingrid barely saw her.

“One more step, girl,” Skaldheim warned, “and I will forget that this hall has rules.”

Ulfgard’s smile stiffened, but she didn’t retreat.

“Ingrid won’t survive a Drakkarvik trial,” she said boldly. “She was raised with comfort, not hardship. We train from childhood. She’ll collapse halfway.”

Ragnar stepped between them, expression dark.

“Ulfgard. Leave.”

Ulfgard’s jaw tightened. “I have a right to speak. My father leads Drakkarvik’s armies. This trial determines the future ruler’s standing.”

“And it does not concern you,” Ragnar said sharply.

Ulfgard’s cheeks flushed with anger—and something else. Hurt.

“You cast me aside for her,” she whispered. “For a girl who does not even belong here.”

Ingrid stiffened but stayed silent. She wasn’t supposed to speak. Not now.

Ulfgard’s voice rose, echoing off the hall walls.

“You’re going to destroy our kingdom for someone who doesn’t bleed Drakkarvik blood!”

Sten finally stepped forward. “Enough, Ulfgard. Leave before the king hears you.”

Ulfgard shot Ingrid a look filled with venom, then turned sharply and stormed out.

Silence followed her exit—heavy, exhausting.

Ragnar exhaled slowly. “She will not harm you. But tomorrow’s trial…”

He hesitated.

“It won’t be easy.”

Skaldheim placed a reassuring hand on Ingrid’s arm. “My lady is stronger than she appears. Let them underestimate her—it only makes the victory sweeter.”

A faint smile tugged at Ingrid’s lips. “Thank you.”

Ulf’s voice echoed from the throne.

“Ragnar. Ingrid. A word.”

They approached, Skaldheim staying close behind.

Ulf studied Ingrid for a long, silent moment.

“Ingrid of Ravnhold,” he began, “tomorrow will test the bond between your kingdoms. Not love, not emotion—loyalty. Drakkarvik respects nothing else.”

Ingrid nodded calmly. “I understand.”

“Good,” Ulf said. “Because you will both be judged by my people. Fail—”

He paused, eyes steady.

“—and the alliance fractures.”

Ragnar’s voice grew firm. “Then we won’t fail.”

But Ulf didn’t look convinced. His gaze slid back to Ingrid, curious and calculating.

“What did you feel earlier? When you said you sensed eyes in the dark?”

Ingrid hesitated. Everyone seemed to hold their breath.

“I don’t know what it was,” she admitted. “But it wasn’t normal. It felt… intentional.”

Eirkog, standing beside the throne, shivered slightly. “The hunter grows bold. This trial may not only attract challengers—but predators.”

Skaldheim’s fingers tightened around her blade.

Ulf dismissed them with a slow wave. “Go. Rest. Prepare. Dawn comes with teeth.”

---

Ingrid’s Chamber — Later That Night

Skaldheim helped Ingrid out of her cloak, her expression hard with thought.

“My lady,” she said quietly, “trials in this kingdom are not merely challenges. They are public spectacles. People come to judge character, strength, lineage.”

“And failure?” Ingrid asked.

“Failure,” Skaldheim said, “invites humiliation. Or danger.”

Ingrid sighed. “I’m not afraid to be tested.”

Skaldheim smiled faintly. “No. Fear has never been your weakness.”

Then her expression darkened.

“But arrogance will be theirs.”

Someone knocked softly at the door.

“Ingrid?” Ragnar’s voice murmured.

Skaldheim opened it halfway, checking the hallway before letting him in.

Ragnar entered quietly, closing the door behind him. He looked different now—less like a prince, more like a man weighed down by a thousand expectations.

“Ingrid,” he began, “I won’t lie to you. Tomorrow’s trial is made to intimidate. The people will watch closely. They want to see if you are worthy to stand beside their ruler.”

“And are they wrong to ask?” Ingrid asked softly.

Ragnar met her eyes.

“No.”

For a moment, the room was quiet except for the wind outside.

“What exactly happens during the trial?” Ingrid asked.

Ragnar ran a hand through his long hair, exhaling.

“There are three parts. The First is the Trial of Resolve. The Second is the Trial of Honor. And the Third…”

He shook his head slightly.

“The Third is unpredictable.”

Skaldheim crossed her arms. “Unpredictable how?”

“It changes depending on the ruler’s will,” Ragnar said. “My father will choose the last challenge at dawn.”

Ingrid felt a cold shiver trail along her spine.

Ragnar stepped closer, lowering his voice.

“I don’t want you facing this alone.”

“You’ll be with me,” Ingrid said.

“Yes,” Ragnar answered. “But the trial will push us both. And it will show the kingdom everything—our strengths… and our weaknesses.”

Ingrid inhaled deeply. “Then let them watch.”

Ragnar studied her for a long moment, something unreadable in his gaze.

“You are not afraid.”

“I am,” Ingrid whispered. “But fear isn’t a chain. It’s a reminder to keep moving.”

Ragnar looked impressed—truly impressed.

“Rest tonight,” he said finally. “Tomorrow, the kingdom will see who you are.”

He turned to leave… then paused at the door.

“Ingrid,” he said softly without turning back,

“whatever happens tomorrow, you will not face it alone.”

And then he left.

Skaldheim watched him go, then looked at Ingrid with a faint smirk.

“He’s nothing like Ulfgard described.”

Ingrid sat on the edge of her bed, staring at the window draped in moonlight.

“Skaldheim,” she whispered, “what if this trial is more than a test? What if it’s a trap?”

Skaldheim’s expression hardened. “Then we spring it carefully.”

Outside, the wind howled again—long and low.

Like something calling from the dark forest beyond the palace walls.

Something that wasn’t done watching.

Something waiting.