The Frost Child by Eoin McNamee Page A

but closing every second, the Wayfarer descended toward the Workhouse, Owen standing at the tiller, pale-faced and tired but defiant.
    For a moment Rosie and Wesley stood openmouthed and staring. Then they started to jump up and down and wave their arms. Owen saw them and altered course. The Wayfarer soared toward them in a great curve. Just in time, he leaned back, and the Wayfarer came to rest on the snow-covered battlements of the Workhouse.
    "Rosie!" Owen said, leaping out onto the ground and throwing an arm around her. "What are you doing here?"
    He grasped Wesley's hand and grinned. Cati rushed up the stairs, followed by Contessa.
    "I thought you were killed or something," Cati said crossly.
    "Good to see you too, Cati," Owen said. Other people came onto the battlements: soldiers in red, and some Raggies who crowded around, wanting to see the marvelous boat that sailed in the air. Among them was Silkie, who gazed shyly at Owen.
    "I would like to spend time on greetings," Contessa said, "but we have need of news. What about the Harsh, Owen?"
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    "Not far behind." He told them about the chase and his meeting with the buccaneers. Silkie beamed at him, then blushed.
    "Tell me about the buccaneers," Dr. Diamond called from the Nab, and it seemed that he would have discussed the pirates all day, but Contessa cut him short.
    "The attack is coming! Get everyone behind the defenses and close all gates! Owen, you look exhausted."
    "I didn't get much sleep," he said, "and the Wayfarer didn't get much rest either."
    Behind him, Silkie had approached the boat where it lay on its side.
    "It's hurt," she said, touching the scarred planks where the Harsh missile had struck. She gave Owen a look of reproach.
    "They attacked ... I couldn't ...," he stammered, unaccountably embarrassed. But she ignored him and knelt to examine the timber more closely, then spoke quietly to one of the other Raggies, who went off immediately.
    "I think I can make her better."
    Owen looked at her, surprised, and then remembered how, when the Raggies had owned a craft that they referred to simply as Boat, it was Silkie who had maintained it.
    "Please," he said, and she smiled at him.
    In the Convoke, Owen told his story to Cati, Contessa, Rutgar, Samual, and Pieta.
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    "They are almost here," Rutgar said, and rushed off to prepare his forces.
    "Someone has to speak to the Resisters before the enemy is upon us, to remind them of what they are fighting for and what is at stake," Contessa said. But Pieta and Samual had raced off to supervise the defenses. Owen swayed, and Cati took his arm.
    "I think the Navigator needs some sleep," she said, and he did not protest.
    Rosie didn't know what to do with herself. The corridors of the Workhouse were full of men and women in armor. The walls rang with urgent shouts and hammering and banging as last-minute defenses were erected. A crane had appeared on the battlements on the instructions of Dr. Diamond and large flat objects covered in canvas were being lowered into position on the front of the Workhouse. Everywhere she looked there were tense faces and few friendly words. War was upon them, and everyone seemed to have a task except her. She looked up to see Cati, whose face was white. She's scared , Rosie thought.
    "Come with me, please," Cati said. Rosie followed her up the long stairway to the battlements. Cati's hand found her way into Rosie's. Men and women waited on other parts of the wall, but there was no one here, at the highest point.
    "What are you going to do?" Rosie said. In reply, Cati let go of her hand and started to climb up to where the
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    Resisters' black flag hung. The footing was slippery with ice, and Rosie watched nervously.
    At the very top Cati straightened. She looked down. Rosie thought that she looked very small and alone, but when she spoke, her voice was strong and sure.
    "Men and women of the Resisters!" she called. The defenders of the Workhouse looked up in surprise, and gradually