During the rest of our time in the Main Den, Fresh Snow almost turned into my shadow, asking questions about the way I used my magic and what the Grandmother had taught me. Most of the time, it was rather endearing, her ernest interest flattering and she reciprocated with complete openness, even if the breadth of her knowledge was limited compared to that of her master. But it helped me to better understand the differences between the constructs they created from snowflakes and what I did with my ice. It was not just a question of the amount of Astral Power I dumped in, that merely increased the magical density of the Ice I was creating, it was also a question of pressure and a variety of other conditions that led to the different forms. It made me think that maybe, those conditions and the state in which the Astral Power ultimately settled was what seperated Hard Ice from Eternal Ice, that I needed to find the right way to add the power, instead of merely dumping in more. At some point, the power I poured in would simply evaporate back into the Astral River, without changing anything. But to find that condition, I had to learn how to manipulate them on a magical level, which was rather difficult, given that I had only my instinct and vague ideas to guide me. So, in a bid to learn more, I started at the simplest level, using Ice Astral Power and trying to condense it into snowflakes, similar to those used by the wolves.

More time was taken up by visits from Swiftstride, during which he explained what they knew about the upcoming conflict. The biggest problem was that the wolves were used to the open plains and the forests, places that allowed them to use their mobility and pack-tactics to the fullest. That had worked well in the past, but now, the centaurs had started to set up semi-fortified camps, guarding themselves during the twilight-hours which had been the main hunting time for the wolves. But now, the wolves had to try to content with them on their terms as the centaurs happily competed with them for the game in the area. It was a smart tactic, one that strengthened my hypothesis that Travellers were involved. I could think of no other explanation for the sudden, extreme shift in tactics, from marauding, moving herds of centaurs to stationary camps with guards and even trained guard dogs; that seemed a little too coincidental, especially considering the timing.

Our task was to make sure that no patrols or groups were able to venture into the plains, or things might get seriously hairy. I wasn’t quite sure what the wolves were planning to make themselves more secure or why it hadn’t been done in the past, but apparently, if the centaurs stumbled upon their measures before they were completed, it would be a disaster. And that was where we came in, pushing them back to their bases, attacking when they didn't expect it, miss-directing them. Buying time, that was our task.

In preparation, I had thought of a few ways to do that, ranging from trying to use the permanent wind to form a blizzard, keeping them out, to attacking them head on. At the same time, I knew that I might die doing so, which brought me to Still and her infirmary. While it was no inn or home, it was enough for the system to allow me to set my spawn-point there, just in case i would die. And with that done, I had impressed that upon Sigmir, making sure she understood that, even if I died, it wouldn’t be permanent, that she had to live and return to the wolves’ den, where I would step back into the world. I didn’t want her to attempt saving me by risking her own life, she wouldn’t come back. It had been a rather spirited discussion, but at the end, she had either accepted my plea or given up on the discussion.

Another thing I had learned was what the presents for Adra, Rai and Sigmir actually were. Rai and Adra had been the worst off, for a given value of worst, the potions they were given would boost their resistance to frost and cold by quite a bit, lasting for about a month. They wouldn’t be as resistant as Sigmir or I were, but it would likely bring them to about the same resistance Sigmir enjoyed before Ylva had crossed the first Divide. When I had heard that, I had quizzed Fresh Snow a little, trying to find out if those potions could be used to bring my already powerful resistance to an even higher level, maybe allowing me to actively work with Eternal Ice, feeling it with my hands and linking it to my magic, without harming myself. Sadly, the potion’s effect on me would be negligible, if there was any at all, the boost mostly working for those with weaker resistances.

Sigmir’s present might be the most interesting, the ring she had been given was apparently carved from the bones of an ancestor of the den, similar to the staff I had seen, and would strengthen Sigmir’s connection to the wolves. One benefit was that wolves could feel that she was considered a friend by some wolves, which might make them more willing to communicate. But the true benefit was that it strengthened the connection between Sigmir and Ylva, especially when they used their Avatar-form. It was hard to guess how big a change it was, especially as we had only tried it out in the safety of the den, but Sigmir and I thought that the strengthening effect was about twenty-five percent.

But finally, after three days of mostly resting, discussing magic and playing with wolf-cubs, the hunting-pack we would travel with had assembled and Swiftstride came to get us. Normally, I would have expected some sort of ceremony but Fresh Snow had told me that everyone was busy preparing for the rituals that would strengthen the den, while we bought them time. While I was rather curious what they actually had planned, I had thought they would simply retreat deeper into the plains, letting the endless winds weaken their foes, but it seemed that I had been wrong.

While I wondered about the wolves’ plans, we walked through the tunnels that seemed busier than ever, guided by Swiftstride to the entrance and exit of the den.

There, in the second large room, the pack was waiting, almost ready to head out.

“Windpaw, Snowdust, these are the honoured friends of the den who will join you.” Swiftstride approached two large wolves, both easily recognisable as having passed the first divide, both by their aura of strength and their size. “Friends, these are Windpaw and Snowdust, two experienced hunters. Their hunting packs were combined for the mission against the Centaurs.”

“Greetings, Friends of the Den.” the two of them said, one after the other introducing them, and even taking in the smell of each of us.

“I hope we can work together well, we wolves are hunters, what we are doing now, attacking a prepared group, that is not how we normally work. But it is necessary, for the good of the den.” One of them, Windpaw, added after the pleasantries were out of the way.

I nodded in approval, his surprisingly honest attitude likely the reason he had been chosen.

“I have quite a few ideas how to change the situation into something more to your liking, something that can use your talents much better than simply throwing yourself against a prepared position.” I told them, considering what to tell them. Sure, I had a few ideas but I had no doubt that the Travellers that I suspected to command the host, or at least influence the commander, had ideas of their own. I would need to come up with something that was not easily countered or seen through, otherwise we might find ourselves on the receiving end of a nasty shock.

“Fresh Snow, Swiftstride, it was an honour to meet you and visit the Den.” I told the two of them, before giving Fresh Snow a gentle hug. She had become a good friend during our stay, her mix of exuberance and humour a refreshing experience.

Both of them gave a soft, howl of goodbye, one that was picked up deeper in the caves, causing an eerily haunting sound, yet, knowing that it was caused by our friends, wishing us well for our mission, made it strangely calming.

Without any more words, without ceremony, we set out, the thirty wolves of the hunting pack filing out, followed by us. I had a feeling that they knew that some of them wouldn’t come back.

And, once the wolves had left the den, we followed behind them. Personally, I was curious what this adventure had in store for us.