n

n

nThe night had lasted longer than expected. Walker was dragged every which way eventually landing near the elders once again. The others were able to finally get near him after being attacked themselves by questions. The elders seemed much more open to them after seeing walker dance and even went so far to ask for stories, they wanted to know how he got to where he was today. Naturally they told their tales, leaving out some parts of the ancient ruins to match the adventurer guilds reports, the elders memorized each word.

nThe stories would later get told to the others in the tribe, being bunkered down for the winter the tribe enjoyed sharing new stories from their travels. Having something new brought to them during the winter was an exceptional treat.

nReveling in the stories of Laurence's first time in the tribe the one eared elder gave walker a little a munitions for some revenge. Laurence was otherwise too embarrassed to rebuke the story and had called it an early night.

nThe night grew late and the bonfire finally started to die down. The elders had long since left themselves leaving only the party and a few others.

n

" well I recommend you all head off to sleep. Tomorrow morning we'll be hunting for snow imps, their hide is great for crafting ice resistant gear. They also often store water crystals in their body so that may be an added bonus.

" From what Walker remembered snow imps were small devil like creatures, their fire counter parts had wings. The ice imps possessed water elemental attacks in the form of ice needles and had slightly tougher bodies. Without wings they had developed a skill allowing them to skate across ice and snow to run or attack.

nWatching as Otis left them they all decided to heed his words and headed off to their own bed. Laurence had managed to get some wood and started a fire to warm their walled in area. With the crackling if a fire and the warmth to accompany it walker was asleep before his head hit his pillow.

nFeeling a tugging in his leg walker groggily raised his head. Midnight was shaking his pant leg to get his attention. The sun had yet to break the horizon but he could feel it was close. Remey was already up shaking Su and Gil awake in turn. Onyx at some point had found a spot on Midnights' head to rest, most likely due to her being warmer sleeping near the fire. The two looked at walker with obvious intent; food.

nTaking out some light crystals for onyx and a few dark crystals for midnight the two seemed happier than kids in a candy store. Midnights crunching was enough to rouse Elise and Laurence from their sleep as well, Riley however was still on cloud nine.

nEveryone was still tired from the night before, walker could feel his muscles protest his actions as he stood and stretched. Laurence soon stoked the lure back in to flames which helped everyone start back up. Once su had fully risen she helped walker warm some bread which finally woke Riley...of course it was food that woke him.

nWhile they ate they had put their gear back in fixing their winter cloths to block any wind. Today didn't seem to be too bad, only a soft cook breeze brushed by them.

nElise in her tired state raised a hand feeling the wind.

" today won't be windy at all, by noon it will be still. Stella come on out!

" A flash of red and Stella had returned front he beast ring. Elise must have a skill to sense the wind, this made sense since she was an avian tamer. Without important skills like that she could accidentally summon a bird in to a potential tornado.

nShaking her feathers and looking at Elise with slight annoyance it was clear that Stella did not enjoy the cold morning. However Laurence produced some extra winter gear perfectly sized for Stella, after adorning it she seemed much happier to be out and about with everyone.

n

" wakey wakey!

" A few knocks on the earth wall and a call from Otis was greeted by gils tired grumble. Otis stood in their doorway looking no more tired than when they met him, how was he not insanely sore from last night? This was the Only thought to echo through walkers head.

nEveryone had managed to eat something, walker hid away the remaining light crystals in the pouch on his shoulder and onyx followed them, a moth to the flame. Midnight had ravenously devoured the dark crystals and even some pieces of bread she had sneakily stolen from Gil.

nFully equipped the group was ready to be on their way. Leaving the village through the hole in the walls they found the plains sparkling with ice and sun. The clear skies gave them an almost blinding view. Without any wind Stella was in the air faster that one could even glance at her.

n

" yesterday's hunting party spotted a few snow imps in that direction. They managed to steal some white radishes they had dug up from the frozen ground. This is the best time to harvest them but they are a favorite for some monsters around here.

" These white radishes were indeed popular, they could only be harvested in the coldest of months if harvested any other time they would rot away in minutes. They held high market value and high nutrition, parents were the biggest buyers in the city to help their children grow strong.

n

" we will follow you lead, everyone in the same formation we used yesterday. Su you can shoulder Otis as the defensive line.

" Walker gave his orders as the leader and soon the tamers were in the center with midnight and Remey on the sides. Gil was slightly back in front of walker. Otis fell in next to Su in the front two pie looking like an unbreakable wall.

nHeading forward they all soon reached a place where someone had dug holes in to the hard ground. Frozen roots lay exposed showing chunks of icy dirt. Mounds of this and snow were next to each hole but something felt off.

" wait ready up! There's something in the mounds of snow!

" Walker had spotted a tiny blue horn sticking from one of the mounds.

nEveryone jumped in to guard,

" Gil pierce that mound there. Aim a bit below that blue point sticking up.

" A sneaky grin appeared on gils face, he knew exactly what Walker was thinking. Instead of being ambushed now they were do the ambushing.

nHis arrow streaked through the air between them. A sickening think sound was made as the arrow was buried deeply within the pile. High pitched whining and screaming canes from the mound and four fingered claws tore through the pile revealing a blue skinned imp with a single arrow through their shoulder. It's scream alerted the others, soon four had broken from the mounds. They had been waiting to ambush those that came after the foragers.

nThe one shot by Gil had fallen in to blind rage. It's hand raised and ice needles formed in front of it. Su moved with haste locking her shield in front of Elise, the ice needles shattered upon impact not even leaving a scratch on her shield.

nOtis crouched in the direction of the farthest snow imp. At some point he had put on cool blue gloves, his fist clenched he rocketed off toward the imp. The speed was intense, not a single person or monster there could stop it. His fist collided with the imp in the next moment completely crushing its face, slammed in to the ice and snow in the ground it could be said it had been thoroughly crushed.

nMidnight had vanished from where she was. A tearing sound and a look toward the imp Gil had shot with an arrow revealed her. She was shredding the imp, rightfully angry it had attacked her friends.

nStella nose dived toward another snow imp he talons outstretched as she neared the ground. She flung he wings out catching her momentum grabbing the imp. Being caught in her talons was definitely not a present experience as it was flailing constantly for freedom. While the imp struggles Stella flew back up as high as she could manage, then the imp got what it wanted. After being released it fell faster and faster picking up speed, the second it came in to contact with the ground its life was over. The impact made the ground vibrate slightly accompanied by a solid thunk.

nGil and Remey had focused on one of the two remaining imps, every time it would retreat Gil would aim at it giving Remey the chance to land a blow.

nWalker had focused on the last snow imp knowing Gil and Remey would soon finish off theirs. Walker decided to move forward pulling his scythe from his inventory. It was time to get up close and personal.

n