Sabine had intended to keep her distance. With the dragon's attention on her, closing into biting distance, launching a spell into its mouth carried a far greater risk. She cut her losses and shot the spell out towards the dragon's low-bent head without waiting for its mouth to open.

Even if it did not puncture its tough hide, it was powerful enough to inflict superficial damage at least.

But if the dragon was going to get close, Sabine would charge payment for every monstrous step. She drew yet more from the virtually bottomless reserve in her staff to draw her hands around the air around her. A shallow mist rose over the scorched grass and rime frost whitened patches on the ground. The air in her proximity grew chilled to a freezing cold limit. All the while, power swirled in her hands.

She kept her eyes on the dragon. If she timed it just right, she could bring about a blizzard to engulf at half -- if not more -- of the great creature's body at once.

She paused, and released.