General Vane stood on the high battlements of the Sun-Gate Pass.
"Fire the enchanted ballistas," Vane roared, his sun-gold armor gleaming brightly in the harsh northern dawn.
"Burn that unnatural storm back into the southern dunes!"
Flaming iron bolts the size of tree trunks screamed down into the narrow, winding canyon.
They struck the approaching blizzard with deafening, explosive bursts of searing white liquid fire.
The immense heat lasted for only a mere fraction of a second.
Thick blue frost swallowed the liquid fire whole, turning the massive iron bolts into brittle, frozen logs that shattered harmlessly on the icy road.
"Their fire magic is terribly pathetic," Kai noted casually, riding his black stallion at the absolute front of the column.
"They are relying on centuries-old enchantments," Zara laughed, her rich, husky voice carrying easily over the howling wind.
"These pampered Northern dogs have never faced a man who can freeze liquid fire, my King."
