A new short story from the increasingly difficult to categorise list of titles by Michael White.

"The final sounds of battle faded around them as the last ice creature fell dead, clearing the way ahead. Rizan slumped to the floor; his blood stained great sword clattering to the ground alongside him. Breathing heavily he could hardly manage to raise his face to ensure that the rest of his comrades had come through the last battle unscathed. His swords brother Gethane was also slumped on the floor, his back propped up against the narrow brick tunnel wall behind him. He was attempting to wipe the gore from his blade, a small whetstone being placed on the floor close to hand. As Gethane noticed him taking stock he nodded once in recognition. It seemed as if even that small gesture had drained him completely of all energy. Yet still he continued to clean his sword.

To the side of Gethane stood Vix the female fire wizard. She gave him a haughty look and swallowed a small drink from a phial she had concealed up a sleeve. �That last ice fury came close to killing us all!� she pronounced haughtily, �It seemed resistant to most of the fire bolts I cast upon it.�

�True.� mumbled the cleric Legaoniel who was flitting amongst the mostly slumped forms gathered about the lit torches held by several of the warriors there. She occasionally cast an arcane gesture or ward and the recipient would take on a slightly healthier aspect. After some time however she too sloped to the floor, gathering her energy. �Strange for ice to be so resistant to fire.� Her voice faded away into the darkness. At the edge of the light Rizan could just make out the shadowy form of Varesh, the hunter. His long bow was looped across his back once more, and the shadows seemed to flicker and fade about him, as if attempting to conceal him from the torchlight..."

PLEASE NOTE: This is most definitely not a traditional fantasy story, and is most definitely not for people who bought "Bored of the Rings" expecting it to be about hobbits.... you have been warned!

It is probably best to also say that no dragons were harmed during the writing of this story, and that it contains no swear words, sex scenes or alcohol. It does make frequent use of be-headings, sudden human incineration etc etc.

It's all got something to do with gold, apparently...