Twelve and the Frozen Forest, page 1
First published in Great Britain by HarperCollins Children’s Books in 2021
Published in this ebook edition in 2021
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Text copyright © Aisling Fowler 2021
Illustrations copyright © Sophie Medvedeva 2021
Map copyright © Virginia Allyn 2021
Cover design copyright © HarperCollinsPublishers Ltd 2021
Aisling Fowler and Sophie Medvedeva assert the moral right to be identified as the author of the work.
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Source ISBN: 9780008394158
Ebook Edition © September 2021 ISBN: 9780008394165
Version: 2021-09-16
PRAISE FOR
FIREBORN
‘FIREBORN is a thrillingly assured debut that grips from the get-go. Featuring a fiercely charismatic heroine and a cast of extraordinary companions, it transports the reader to a fascinating landscape of ice and peril. Aisling Fowler conjures up the perfect balance of high adventure, breathless action and eerie wonder, mixing it all with scenes of genuine emotional power. Elegantly structured, endlessly exciting,
FIREBORN is the perfect introduction to a rich and magical new world’
Jonathan Stroud, author of the Bartimaeus Series, Lockwood and Co and The Outlaws Scarlett and Browne
‘Epic, sweeping and full of heart – FIREBORN is truly something special. I can’t wait for the next book in the series!’
Hannah Gold, author of The Last Bear
‘FIREBORN is the best kind of children’s fantasy story, thrilling and imaginative while packing an emotional punch.
It’s sure to have young readers clamouring for more!’
B. B. Alston, author of Amari and the Night Brothers
‘I absolutely loved FIREBORN. Such a cinematic journey in both the literal and emotional sense! Right away it had the feeling of something that’s going to be huge, and the world Aisling has created is so rich and engaging. I cannot wait to read what happens next’
LD Lapinski, author of The Strangeworlds Travel Agency
‘FIREBORN is an exciting adventure that will make you want to set off on your own epic journey to battle mythical monsters. With giant stone dogs, mysterious frozen forests, and mischievous fire spirits, readers will be captivated from page one’
Katie Tsang, co-author of Dragon Mountain
‘FIREBORN is a fantastic debut, deftly told with skill and originality. A richly-imagined story, bursting with thrilling magic, terrifying monsters and an epic adventure that leaves you wanting more’
Catherine Doyle, author of The Storm Keeper’s Island
‘This is monster-hunting at its finest, from a superb new voice in children’s fiction’
Aisha Bushby, author of A Pocketful of Stars
‘In a word: phenomenal. FIREBORN is vivid, daring, and epic in every sense. It’s impossible to read this book and not hold your breath’
Carlie Sarosiak, author of I, Cosmo
‘This book should come with a CANNOT BE PUT DOWN warning. Children are going to fall in love with this heart-stopping adventure, and I was with Twelve and Dog every thrilling step of the way’
Jenny McLachlan, author of The Land of Roar
‘A thrilling adventure with a ferocious heroine and spine-tingling monsters. It had me reading late into the night’
Francesca Gibbons, author of A Clock of Stars
‘Astounding. An incredibly accomplished fantasy that’s not afraid of the dark side’
Nicola Skinner, author of Starboard
‘An utterly compelling and wildly imaginative adventure! I loved it!’
Tamzin Merchant, author of The Hatmakers
‘I loved this whirlwind adventure! Imagine The Hunger Games but with magic and written for kids. A brilliant novel weaving fantasy, friendship, heartbreak and hope together really superbly. I have pledged my heart to FIREBORN’
Cerrie Burnell, author of Harper and the Sea of Secrets
‘FIREBORN swept me away to a rich, vibrant world filled with bold characters and enthralling monsters. A fantastic debut’
Joseph Elliott, author of The Good Hawk
‘An action-packed roller coaster of a ride, with tons of twists and surprises … nail-bitingly tense and vivid’
Tolá Okogwu, author of Onyeka and the Academy of the Sun
For Ben,
my greatest support and inspiration
Contents
Cover
Title Page
Copyright
Praise for Fireborn
Dedication
Map
Prologue
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Chapter 29
Chapter 30
Chapter 31
Chapter 32
Chapter 33
Chapter 34
Chapter 35
Chapter 36
Chapter 37
Chapter 38
Chapter 39
Chapter 40
Chapter 41
Chapter 42
Chapter 43
Chapter 44
Chapter 45
Chapter 46
Chapter 47
Chapter 48
Chapter 49
Chapter 50
Chapter 51
Chapter 52
Chapter 53
Chapter 54
Acknowledgements
About the Publisher
Map
I pledge my life to the Hunting Lodge.
I vow to serve all seven clans as my own,
To protect them from what lies beyond.
I forsake all blood ties and blood feuds,
To offer up my name and my past.
The Hunters are my family now and always.
I swear before them that I will never lower my weapons in the face of darkness,
Nor allow tyranny to rise.
The sky over the Hunting Lodge was ominously dark and the air smelled of snow. Twelve gazed up at the scudding clouds with storm-grey eyes and huddled deeper into her furs, stamping her feet to stay warm. Her classmates’ chatter steamed in the air around her and Twelve watched them moodily, trying to swallow her impatience.
‘For goodness’ sake!’ shouted Weaponsmaster Victory, her eyes sweeping the group. ‘If you can’t even lift it, how on earth are you going to swing it? Anyone who can’t raise their weapons over their head, return them to the armoury for something lighter at once!’
Several students scurried away and Twelve’s scowl deepened. Losing her temper in battle class never paid off though. Victory was more likely than any of the other Hunters to punish students with night watches or the dreaded dungeons. Plus, the lesson looked interesting if they could get to it: upright wooden stumps covered the snow-dusted training ground, promising something out of the ordinary.
‘By the frost!’ cried Victory as the students trickled back. ‘If you can’t move faster than that, every creature from here to the Frozen Forest will make an easy meal of you.’
A nervous silence fell over the assembled class.
‘The brighter among you might have identified today’s aim,’ Victory continued, her disbelief obvious as she spoke. ‘You’ll be sparring in pairs while standing on the stumps to improve your balance and footwork. I don’t want to see any feet on the ground.’
Twelve almost smiled as anticipation fizzed through her. This would be a challenge.
‘If you haven’t mastered last week’s exercises, then you’re going to struggle,’ Victory said, her eyes lingering on a few of the younger students who were looking distinctly anxious. ‘Now, form up in pairs and begin yesterday’s attack sequence. Remember: constant vigilance!’
As usual, everyone scrambled eagerly away from Twelve into their pairs. She rolled her eyes. If they were too frightened to spar with her, that was their problem, not hers. Her gaze wandered over the familiar buildings around her instead
‘Twelve –’ Victory frowned – ‘partnerless again?’ There were a few sniggers. The weaponsmaster scowled and stepped closer, lowering her voice. ‘Practising alone will only take you so far. You need a decent sparring partner to challenge yourself.’ Her blue eyes scanned Twelve’s face, piercing and expectant.
Twelve’s reply was halted by a hand squeezing her arm.
‘I’ll p-p-practise with you,’ Seven offered, carefully avoiding the weaponsmaster’s gaze.
Victory’s sigh as she strode away said it all.
‘Keeping the weirdos together,’ someone muttered. Twelve spun to confront them, her cheeks flaming, but the speaker was already lost in the shifting crowd.
The pale red-headed girl beside her beamed, and Twelve groaned. Sparring with Seven was worse than practising with a straw dummy. Her attention span was shorter than a snarrow’s and her skills with any weapon doubtful at best. On top of that, although she was probably about thirteen years old, like Twelve, her build was that of a much younger girl. Twelve felt like a giant next to her. It made them particularly ill-suited and yet they were often thrown together. Everyone else avoided them: Seven was odd; Twelve was scary.
Most of the stumps were already taken so the girls threaded their way across the training ground to a less crowded spot.
‘W-w-where’s Widge?’ Seven asked as they walked. ‘I haven’t seen him today.’
Widge was Twelve’s squirrel, but it had actually been the other girl who had found him as a kit fallen from his nest. Instead of keeping him, Seven had given him to Twelve, something Twelve still didn’t understand.
‘I’m not sure.’ Twelve shrugged. ‘You know he comes and goes as he likes.’ She bit her tongue to stop herself saying more.
Seven nodded as she clumsily unsheathed her sword. Twelve reached over her shoulders, grabbing the hafts of her two axes. Her confidence surged with them in her hands and she leaped lightly on to the nearest log.
‘Shall we?’ she asked.
Seven snorted with laughter as she hopped experimentally between stumps. ‘Wobbly, aren’t they?’
‘That’s the point,’ Twelve said, unable to keep a snap out of her voice. ‘Can we start?’
Shouts of laughter, yelps of surprise and the clash of steel rang out across the training ground, but Twelve had only to wave an axe at Seven and the other girl would drop her weapon or fall off the stumps. In the end, she practised by herself while Seven sat and watched.
Whirl, strike, duck, block, lunge, sidestep. Twelve ran through her routine faster and faster until her axes were a glinting blur. Beneath her furs she was unbearably hot, but she didn’t break her flow, enjoying the challenge of keeping her balance on the precarious stumps.
‘L-look out!’ Seven cried suddenly. This was quickly followed by a yelp and a crash.
Twelve spun round to see a tall dark-haired boy sprawled on the ground. His face was red and furious as he spat out a mouthful of grimy snow. It was Five – her least favourite person in the lodge, despite stiff competition.
‘He was c-c-creeping up behind you,’ Seven said, her face pale and defiant.
Five stood up, towering over her. ‘It’s battle class, you idiot,’ he said. ‘Obviously, we’re supposed to fight.’ His eyes ran pointedly over her weak stance and incorrect sword grip. ‘Those of us who are any good at it anyway.’
‘What, like you?’ Twelve snorted.
‘We all know I’m the best swordsman here,’ Five said, shrugging. ‘I thought I could help you, Twelve. You know, test your reflexes. After all, the dark creatures out there won’t announce themselves.’
‘You weren’t trying to be helpful,’ Seven said, her voice higher than normal. ‘You wanted to h-h-hurt her. I saw your face.’
‘Really?’ Five said, rolling his eyes. ‘And did you see inside my head too? You could tell exactly what I was thinking? Who knew we had such a t-t-talent among us.’
Students nearby snorted with laughter and inched closer as Seven’s face crumpled with hurt. Unexpectedly, a dull thud of anger pulsed through Twelve. She stepped off her stump, axes gripped tightly in both hands.
‘Speaking of talents,’ Twelve said, trying to keep her voice even, ‘do you actually have any besides being awful?’ Five’s eyes narrowed, but she kept talking. ‘You’re not the best swordsman and you’re not nearly as funny as you—’
Five took half a step towards her as a stocky sandy-haired boy shouldered his way through the crowd. ‘I think you both need to calm down,’ Six said firmly, taking Five by the arm and pulling him away. He was Five’s best friend, quieter and less obnoxious, but Twelve still shot him her fiercest glare.
‘I’m always calm!’ she said. It came out a lot louder than she’d intended.
Six grinned at her, his eyes bright with amusement. ‘So I see.’
‘What is going on over there?’ Victory’s voice rang sharp and hard as she strode towards the clustered students. ‘Get back to practice right now!’
The group couldn’t have scattered faster if a winter wolf had pounced among them.
‘Thank you,’ Seven said as Five and Six slipped away.
‘What for?’ Twelve asked.
‘S-standing up for me like that.’
Twelve’s sharp response faltered – Seven’s face was full of warmth, her smile dimpling her cheeks. For an instant, she looked so much like … Twelve quickly shook the thought away – it was always a bad idea to think about life before the lodge. Still, before she could stop herself, she felt her lips curve into an answering smile.
She turned away, shocked at herself, and hopped back on to her stump.
‘You stood up for me first,’ she said over her shoulder to Seven. ‘Anyway, Five should be grateful. Hauling that huge ego of his around must be hard work. If I’ve managed to shrink it even a tiny bit …’
Before Seven could reply, Victory arrived, her expression thunderous. ‘Why are you just standing there, Twelve?’ she snapped. ‘Get on with it.’
The weaponsmaster stood with her arms folded and her eyes narrowed as Twelve flowed through her routine flawlessly, until a pebble bounced painfully off her temple.
‘Ow!’ Twelve gasped, wobbling on her stump for the first time.
Victory tilted her head critically and rattled more pebbles in her palm. ‘You should have seen that coming and reacted. Constant vigilance, Twelve.’
Twelve stared. Had the weaponsmaster really just thrown a stone at her?
‘Five was right, you know,’ Victory said, her eyes locked on Twelve’s. ‘Dark creatures don’t announce themselves and they won’t give you a second chance. Now go again.’ She jerked her head at Twelve’s axes.
And threw another stone.
Twelve felt the sting of a dozen more stones before she could deflect them reliably without losing her balance.
‘Good! Much better,’ Victory said, a smile grazing her mouth. She dropped the pebbles into Seven’s palm and stalked away, loud criticisms of the next group already streaming from her lips.
Seven’s mouth hung open as she gazed up at Twelve. ‘D-did she just smile at you?’
Overhead, the sky darkened as a wintry evening drew in. Hunters slipped round the dim base of the walls, their feet crunching over the frozen ground to light the torches, their shadows leaping strangely in the corner of Twelve’s eyes. High up on the skybridges, braziers flared to life. The temperature dropped and a few tentative flakes of snow drifted down. Breath plumed before cold-flushed faces and fur hats were tugged down to cover freezing earlobes. Savoury smells began wafting across the training ground, telling the students that dinner was imminent. The energy of the group dropped noticeably.
‘That’s enough,’ Victory called, gathering the class round her. ‘I can’t say many of you have impressed me, so we’ll repeat this every day until you do. Return your weapons to the armoury and be ready for dinner in half an hour. Remember: constant vigilance.’ She stared at each student as though she could glower them into greater alertness. She saved her most powerful glare for Seven. ‘Seven, I want to talk to you.’
