Whatever these white furred beasts were, they were not
here to strike up a pleasant conversation. Four muscle
ridden creatures snarled viscously at Jerreck, as he stood
up, freeing his mace from his belt. He thanked his lucky
star that he had strapped on his shield before continuing
deeper into the tunnels. He would definately need it now.

The largest yeti bared its thick, yellow fangs as it
advanced towards the surrounded human. The yetis did
not usually encounter humans foolish enough to venture
these lands, but it had happened. However, this was the
first time a human had acted like this. Instead of
trying to run, this one simply awaited them as his skin
crackled and froze into a darker shade of brown. And its
feet didn't touch the ground! No matter, its flesh would
be just as warm and red as that of all the others had
been. He swung his mighty paw that had killed so many
before.

And was struck square in the chest with a stunning smash.

A whirling mass of metal and muscles, Jerreck easily
avoided the slower yeti. Combining and repeating the
patterns of air and earth, he managed to avoid or shield
block their mighty swings, while he could land a few
hits here and there. Mostly light jabs, but when he saw an opening
he would land a mighty strike to send his enemies
backwards. This way he could always make sure to have one
side free, and it worked most of the time. Not a minute
later, four bludgeoned yeti lay crushed on red snow.
Standing over them, breathing heavily, was Jerreck.
Several cuts and rakes had struck home, and he knew he
would need to tend to his numerous flesh wounds soon.

Jerreck knelt by his fallen enemies and spent a minute of
silence. He did not like disturbing things here. There
were few places in the world as hostile and remote as this
one, and he had great respect for any creatures living at
a place like this. He regretted that he'd had to kill them.

"Sleep well, children of the wild", he muttered in conclusion
before he brought himself up, took some snow to wipe his
bloody face with, and went back into the tunnels.

***

Liander sat in silence with his eyes closed. He had lied
to Beliana, and he felt horrible.

On the other hand, he could not just look on as she killed
Reeven in cold blood. Sure, the archer had shot him in the
leg and he would let him know it once he "woke up", but from
that to... killing the poor man?

So he had lied. Of course he knew no spells to put people
to sleep. He was an adept of fire, warmth and light. Daenth
had been a strict teacher. "Leave those mindboggler spells
for illusionists and other charlatans", the old man had
taught. A man would do no good for his village by manipulating
heads. But one who wielded the energies of fire was always
useful.

Silently, he was relieved that Reeven had caught on to his
trick. He had been awake as they had argued over him, and
as Liander had started his arcane mutterings, he hoped that
Reeven would play along.

He had.

Liander's thoughts drifted to Beliana. This... woman! He felt for
her, he could not help it. More than he could ever have felt for
the farmer girls in old Serdham. She affected his feelings so
much that it affected his spell casting. Usually not in a bad
way, other than the embarrasment it sometimes brought him. He
cared a lot her, he decided. She had always looked out for him,
shielded him from danger, and likewise respected his talents and
made him feel like the young man he was when he got to fire off
a bolt of fire to cover her back. They made a good team.

And now this. Why did she talk about people not liking her?
Wanting to kill her? What was she afraid of? This was just a
stupid accident, and she had gone totally beyond anything he'd
ever seen her like before. He felt bad about fooling her, but
something deep in his guts told him that she would have killed
Reeven if he hadn't.

He felt a hand sneaking into his. Eyes still closed, he took it.