During a short break while walking north after the first storm, and burning the dead Nal’cir, but before the frozen waterfall and Savvah, Rask addresses the group. He asks several questions that have clearly been on his mind while walking. His words tumble out, his pauses are brief as he looks at his companions, mostly to Alexis and Ca’armine for their thoughts, but Ethelred and Gustav too.
”We’re headed to Frostbite Pass, and it seems Bandy hasn’t fully gotten Sassy to return, right?
“What is our number one priority? To kill Bandy? Stop Sassy from returning? Eliminate the Dark Hand? Break its power?”
“Do we let Bandy get away if it means we can destroy what is left of Sassy and capture another Tear?”
“Do I protect Ca’armine at all costs? Including letting Sassy return? How do we protect our Tear?” He looks mostly at Alexis for these questions.
“If we get jumped and Bandy is there, who do I focus on? Deadly intent or subdual?”
Alexis nods along thoughtfully as Rask talks.
“Shasherak first. Everything else is secondary to that. If he comes back, nothing else we accomplish here matters.” He pauses. “So yes, Bandesingh walks if that’s the trade.”
He glances north.
“Even though we’re close to the fortress everyone still deserves a second look before we decide they’re an enemy. Inside Frostbite Pass, no quarter.”
He looks at Rask and the group.
“In order: stop Shasherak from returning. End Bandesingh as a future threat. Figure out who’s been pulling strings for the last few hundred years.” A slight smile at Rask. “And take everything that isn’t nailed down.”