บท 331: The Ice Spirit

Ripples of unease washed through the stone of Blue Canyon, a tremor in response to the gathering storm above. The sky above the city dimmed, not with clouds, but with an oppressive presence that blotted out the warmth of the sun. Frigid winds spiraled out of the magic circles in cyclonic gales, battering stalls, shattering windows, and tearing the rooves off houses. White fingers of frost crept across the streets and walls, encasing everything in a shining skin of ice. It was all I could do to cast an Ice Shield to keep from freezing.

In the heart of the spiraling storm, a serpentine shape emerged, obscured by the whipping winds and mists of ice. There was a flash of gold as a titanic, glimmering eye opened, staring imperious down on the city. My skin prickled as its gaze found me, singling me out among all the chaos of the city. Every hair on my body stood on end as my chest tightened and tail stiffened, and I found myself unable to so much as breathe.