By now, it was early winter, and surviving in the wild was becoming increasingly difficult. Nidia was able to join the hunt in her human form, but today she had no choice but to stay in the camp with the mage while Ysilnod went out alone to collect dried leaves and twigs. Right now, it was far more vital for them to keep themselves warm than fill their bellies. Shawn cradled the dragon close to him, greedily absorbing her warm body heat as she dozed off on his lap, her thin tail wagging left and right, just like some sort of portable furnace. The lake was silent, and everything seemed normal.
"Get up. Slowly."
An icy voice emerged from behind. Shawn was shocked by this sudden situation and felt shivers running from the soles of his feet to the top of his head.
"Drop the staff. If you re
