A trail of crimson in white snow leads to a crumpled, shivering form of a person. The person crouched down hugging their legs closer to their chest as they heard footsteps approaching the area.

"Where must she have gone?" A voice spoke roughly, the sound of hitting a rod on some object echoed.

"Sahab, the signs! We're going the wrong way-" one of the voices spoke worriedly. "There's nothing, the lake is freezed and turned into ice"

"We cannot take any risk. Sainiko, divide and find her!" The rough voice spoke again, but this time with anger.

The person, woman, who was crouched down hiding from the group of soldiers kept shaking as the footsteps kept coming closer.

A hand wrapped around her arm as she stopped herself from screaming. She looked at the person who held her and felt at ease after knowing who it was.

She whispered, "Why are you here?!"

"You, do not need to worry about my presence. Help yourself, take this." The man spoke and put out a brown handkerchief with three small bottles containing Lint, Grease and Honey.

"You came prepared, huh?"

"This is going to bring a war. We have to be prepared."

• THE STOLEN RADIANCE •