Fire and Ice

The world-building in Fire and Ice feels so rich and immersive. I'm curious whether it was mapped out from the start or developed along the way.

While I loved the world-building, some chapters felt a bit slow. Was that part of building the clans' culture or just pacing for tension?

The characters' choices about loyalty really made me think about what loyalty means in real life. Am I the only one who felt torn between their allegiances?