We were only going to stay in our little cave long enough to warm our bones and dry out some of our clothes. It would soon be time to press on towards the Nexus.

Since Araellor's revelation about the missing magi, few words had passed between the group. Garret and Aden kept themselves to themselves, mumbling only to each other incoherently. They cast furtive glances in our direction but never engaged us in conversation.

Likewise, Felenn had withdrawn from us, keeping herself huddled against the wall. I'd beckoned her to come closer to the fire, to ensure she was warm, but she just shook her head and wrapped her arms tightly around her knees.

Araellor stared into the flames, occasionally flitting his eyes around the company, no doubt checking his charges were as well as could be expected.

I, too, sat and observed everyone, assessing their demeanour but mostly mulling over the Kirin Tor, in particular, the calibre of magi that was stationed under the Transitus Shield. My betters had turned out to be exceptional keepers of secrets; or to be more accurate, blatant concealers of the truth. I felt let down by Berinand and his colleagues. Right from the start, they'd kept details from us. They'd literally sent us out on a death march, or perhaps something worse. If indeed the rumours were true, then Malygos's army was almost as frightening a prospect as Arthas's Scourge had been. Both resulted in grotesque transformations, all created to carry out their 'master's' will without question or forethought.

I bid my time next to the small fire, rubbing my frost-riddled scarf to rid it of the tiny icicles and to dry it out before we left for the next leg of our journey.

"You doing OK?" Araellor's deep, melodic voice invaded my thoughts. I looked up as he handed me a cup of hot, sweet tea. I accepted it gratefully.

I had to give credit where it was due. He'd at least ensured Felenn and I didn't cross the snow-driven island in a state of ignorance. Granted, it may not be enough to spare us a horrid fate, but we understood better why it was imperative not to use our magic. And to realise we needed him to protect us.

I offered a wry smile. "As well as can be expected," I replied before taking a sip of the tea. It was good and I could feel its heat spreading through my body – but I wished it was the cider. The hunter nodded, the corners of his mouth tweaking with a grin. "Can I ask you something?" I ventured.

Again, he nodded.

"The missing magi; did they...?"

He preempted my question. "Yes, they came out on their own. As do most of the magi from the Shield."

"So, I take it that you were drafted in specifically to guide and protect us?" I gestured to Felenn and me.

"Indeed. Your Ice Queen arranged it."

I looked at him quizzically.

"Archmage Modera," he explained.

My eyes must have bulged at that little revelation. "Oh! So – wait! She must have ...

"No..." Again, he seemed to anticipate my thinking. "She's unaware of Berinand's suspicions about the missing magi. He's kept that little titbit from reaching superior ears."

I nodded, somewhat relieved my mentor had not knowingly sent us to our potential deaths or bodily realignments. From under my lashes, I looked across at Araellor. "Ice Queen?" I couldn't suppress a small chortle.

His responding laughter was soft and warm. "Hmm. She tends to be very empirical in her approach. I think she is perhaps...lonely."

His analogy surprised me. I could understand why he found her pragmatic - but lonely? "What makes you think that?" I lifted the cup to my lips.

His grin widened, mischievous. "A woman who is so driven and focused on her profession is lacking in passion of a different nature."

A spray of my tea jettisoned onto the fire, causing the flames to flicker a little, but that was all. The other three cave occupants looked at me for a second before returning to their own musings.

Araellor was laughing quietly, watching me keenly.

"That is a rather sexist viewpoint," I accused. Deep down, I found it a little amusing.

"Not at all," he defended, perching an arm on his bent knee. "It is merely an observation."

I was busy mopping tea dribbles from my chin when his next offering almost set me off like a firecracker.

His eyes turned dark, almost molten. "Perhaps that explains why you are so tense all the time."

My eyes narrowed, and what little humour I felt from moments before was instantly snuffed out. "And now you are being impertinent. How dare you!" I stood up, brushing some dust and snow from my trousers.

"Ah, so someone back home is the root of your anxiousness, yes?"

"What? No!" I furiously brushed at the now non-existent lint on my clothes.

"Well, something's got your goat. You're tighter than my bowstrings, Klara." He laughed.

I caught a glimpse of the hunter in the orange fire glow, grinning, watching me as if I were a source of amusement. Of ridicule. A memory came flooding back to haunt me – that of a painted face leering through shrubbery. I started to tremble, and tears pricked the corners of my eyes.

Felenn was instantly by my side. With a look of understanding, she placed an arm around my shoulders and led me from the fire to the rear of the cave. I hoped that she may have awarded Araellor an icy glare.

Gently, she settled me down, with my back facing the impudent hunter. I was still trembling.

"I swear, he is the rudest creature on this island," I hissed under my breath.

"Hush now," she said, gently rubbing my upper arms. "We are upset about recent disclosures, Klara, and I think that is getting to you. I genuinely don't think he meant to upset you. It is just his way; the banter."

I glowered, battling with my emotions. How could she be so certain about his manner, when we barely knew him? Perhaps it was an elf-thing, something they all shared and understood. I didn't know, but it didn't ease my mood.

Felenn gestured for me to take some slow, deep breaths. Grudgingly, I did as she suggested and eventually, my composure returned. I don't really know what upset me more: Araellor's insinuation or that nightmarish memory that just wouldn't let me alone. I was annoyed that I'd let my guard down, though, that I started to believe the hunter was more decent and honest than my superiors, that it meant he cared about us. We were just another assignment. Another bit of gold to line his pocket. But whatever, that little discourse had just laid waste to any thoughts of Araellor being the good guy. He was just the same as those vile vagabonds on the northern border of my homeland.

The hunter, oblivious to my upset, barked an order to the two magi to get ready for the next part of our journey. I heard them dutifully packing up and pulling their sledges to the entrance of the cave. "Time to go, ladies," Araellor aimed at Felenn and me. She nodded. I ignored him. Then I heard the fire being doused.

We moved out. A dusting of snow started to fall – not a promising sign for the next stage of our journey. We could only hope it wouldn't worsen as our little convoy set into motion - the same set-up as before; Garret and Aden leading, followed by Felenn, me and then Araellor picking up the rear.

The trek was becoming harder to navigate with the fresh snowfall. Not only was it treacherous underfoot, but our visibility was fast becoming hampered too. I sensed our intrepid hunter was on alert. Not that it made me any less fearful; if anything, I was more uneasy than ever.

Eerie sounds rode the steady winds this time, their source not of nature's call. There was something out here with us: something just beyond our sights, yet it felt like we were within its parameters. We kept a close eye on the skies too, although our view was inhibited by snow flurries. I suddenly felt very vulnerable, very exposed.

I sensed rather than heard Araellor approaching us. He grabbed my arm, making me stop in my tracks and he then signalled to hunker down next to his sledge. We did as he instructed and watched as he deftly moved forward to warn Garret and Aden, bringing them back to the fold.

Araellor was scanning the skies and the area around us. I could see nothing in the roiling clouds and constant snowfall. But I felt eyes upon us. We four magi remained huddled together, partially hidden by the three sledges, but still feeling uneasy. Meanwhile, our intrepid hunter surveyed the area, seeking out the threat he'd sensed moments before.

The temptation to start channelling weighed heavily on me, but I was mindful that doing so could invoke Malygos's wrath – wherever he may be at that moment in time. We were completely dependent on Araellor's hunting skills and his ability to eradicate whatever threat stalked us.

The snow was falling faster, thicker, making visibility poorer by the second and heightening our apprehension. Our sense of dread.

I heard a grunt, then a sharp yell from my left. I turned to see Aden fall, face first in the snow. His fingers dug deep grooves into the white blanket beneath us, leaving long tracks as he was dragged backwards. I could barely make out a massive muzzle clamped around one of Aden's legs. I couldn't identify what it was, yet I instinctively knew it was powerful and incredibly mean. I dove to grab Aden's hands, and Felenn did likewise to get hold of me. Next, something whistled through the air and a loud thwack sounded. Followed quickly by a howl of pain. I fell backwards with Felenn as whatever had hold of Aden let go of him.

In a crumpled heap, I looked up to see Araellor jumping overhead and landing where his arrow had nailed its target – a dog-like creature. I could just see his outline in the increasing snow flurry as he stooped down and jerked hard to retrieve the feathered missile. Quickly he came back into view and checked Aden's leg.

Felenn and I sat up and scrambled to check on the injured mage. Thankfully, his injury didn't seem as serious as we'd feared; I think he was more in shock by what happened. Felenn quickly searched one of her little pouches for potions and balms and set about cleaning and wrapping Aden's wound.

I glanced at where our attacker lay. I could hardly make it out; the snow was quickly covering the creature, preventing a clear view. I turned to Araellor. "What was it?"

The hunter was wiping blood from the arrow when he answered me. "It was a mage hunter."

"By the gods! They're actually called mage hunters? We have dedicated assassins?"

Araellor awarded me a mordant smile. "They really don't have a preference. We're all just meat to them. That said, they have the ability to drain you of any magic abilities you have."

My stomach churned. We had almost lost Aden to this beast. The realisation that the creatures out here were a very real threat finally sunk in. "Now what?" I asked, glancing between Aden and the dead mage hunter.

Araellor gestured to Aden. "We need to make sure he is going to be able to continue. There's a Nexus checkpoint up ahead, we should make for that."

"What about this beast?" I pointed to the dead animal.

"With luck, others will stop to take their fill, leaving us enough time to make it to safety."

"Others?" I said, trembling.

"They're like rats, Klara. If there's one nearby, there will be more."

I shuddered. Felenn had overheard and she asked me to help Aden to his feet. He yelped as he put weight on his leg. There was no way he could make it to cover and pull the sledge. "We need to carry him. On the sledge," I suggested. "Then we'll both haul it to the Nexus Point nearby."

Felenn nodded, and together we manoeuvred Aden onto his ride. Picking up the heavy straps we braced ourselves and started to pull supplies and our injured colleague through the ever-increasing snow.

Our format remained the same; Garret ahead, Aden - transported by Felenn and me - and Araellor at the rear.

I know the hunter had said the shelter was close by, but in these conditions, it felt like our destination was very far away indeed. Matters worsened as we then heard another beastly sound. This time it came from above. A long, insidious hiss pierced the wind which whirled and buffeted us from almost every direction.

I looked up, nervous but at the same time, expectant. A sliver of purple sliced the snow-laden sky and vanished just as quickly. An arcane serpent – Berinand had at least warned us about these beasts. The only encouraging thing about it was that it meant we were close to our destination and our primary goal – The Nexus – where the serpents favoured to hunt. A small glimmer of hope dared to fire in my chest and with my head down, shielding my face against the wind and snow, I pulled that sledge with all my might.

______________________________________________________________________

Oops, Araellor's done it again - offended Klara. Just when things were going so well, too.

But Berinand doesn't exactly come away with flying colours either, does he? Out of the two, I'd say the latter is worse. Would you agree?