House of Winter

Chapter 21, Part 2

The two men led Lumi, Tom and Kobuk through glittering ice hallways and finally into a a magnificent hall with a dining table made of a single piece of wood. It was possible to see just how big the tree had been from the length of the table, and it appeared the long benches were also carved from the same tree. The table was bare, but as soon as they arrived they were brought steaming mugs of something hot. Lumi subtly sniffed at the steam, to find it was fruity, but the hot alcohol in the steam burnt her nostrils. It was hot wine. She placed the mug down on the table.

"You will not eat meat, will you?" Armo asked. It seemed he was more comfortable addressing the princess in the Fire language, and disregarding Tom.

"No, I won't eat meat, thank you," Lumi said, using Starg.

Armo nodded and then spoke rapidly to the two young people who had brought the wine. She was surprised that he didn't speak in the Fire language, but in some other dialect. She caught some words she understood, but the rest seemed gibberish.

"What's the dirty business with trading with the Norrlish?" Lumi asked, when they were asked to sit down at the long table. They were given blankets for their knees.

"Liquid stars," Eero said. His Starg was a lot smoother than his brother's. "We are the sacred custodians of the liquid star, under the ice. It stretches from here further and further Dorth, and into Norrlish territory. The Norrlish have never mined it, and we have always looked after it. That was until new Starg miners came with signed declarations from the Empress. She has apparently given the Lombardians the right to mine for liquid stars under our ice."

"Liquid stars," Tom said, and Lumi saw his gaze travel around the icy room, to the fires in every corner. While Lombardia was full of solar-powered lamps, these rooms were lit by fire. "You mean... it's oil, isn't it?"

"The Lombardians call it crude oil," Eero said with a nod. "We know it as the source of all magic. Stars."

They were served bowls of stew in stone bowls, flat bread piled high, and a wedges of potatoes that glistened gold with oil. Lumi eyed the food carefully, but was glad to see there was no meat. It wasn't as grand as some of the food Lumi was used to in Singtsu, and yet after their journey Lumi and Tom were both starving and they had no complaints about the thick barley stew.

"We know Lumivara and Virani," Armo said, nodding. "Twins."

"And where is your brother, Princess?" Eero asked.

"He's in Singtsu," Lumi said. "I think."

"And you've noticed your magic has disappeared?" Armo asked, switching again to the Fire language.

Lumi let out a startled gasp. "Yes," she said. "How did you know?"

"You're the queller. He's the surger. Your powers are strongest when you are together. He is the push and you are the pull, but together you balance each other. When you are apart, your magic will fade and his will grow uncontrollable. It is dangerous for twins to be separated."

The conversation had fallen once again into the Fire language, and once again Tom was looking curious at Lumi's surprised expression. But Lumi didn't translate the words immediately. Tom didn't quite know the extent that Lumi had lost her powers. Did she feel comfortable enough to share with him that the reason she had lost her powers was because of Tai?

"But what about my mother and aunt?" Lumi asked. "My aunt's been alone without her twin for years. She's a surger. Does that mean her power is uncontrollable?"

"She may have found a way to control it," Armo said. "There are ways. We have heard rumours."

Lumi glanced between the men, and then looked at Tom.