It was a particularly clear morning.

The sun, already high on the sky, shone brightly upon the white
field. A faint smell of smoke and firewood could be tasted on the air, brought by a light breeze from
the main household. There was a deep silence covering the area, whatever sounds might be coming
from the nearby kitchen muffled by the snow.

Standing in the middle of the courtyard was Akima, clad in the usual warm boots, long cloak and
thick gloves of the people of Niviek. In front of her was Keran wearing a simpler, more practical
version of the same attire. The forearms of his coat had been removed, revealing the complex
tattooed runes that covered most of his body.

He locked his blue eyes into hers, and then tossed a small steel sphere