[i][/i]Andrea’s emerald eyes, cold and unblinking, swept over the field. Her servants lay shattered around her, their forms dissolving into dust. Her runic dagger, still slick with the blackened ichor of the great bear, felt heavy in her hand. [color=39b54a]"Not enough,"[/color] she whispered, the words a wisp of frost in the frigid air. She crouched, prodding the beast's steaming remains with the tip of her blade before scoffing in disgust. With a fluid motion, she rose, wiping the dagger clean on a scrap of fur before sheathing it in the hidden scabbard at the small of her back.

Her ear twitched at the mercenary's accusation, a sharp sound in the sudden silence. Most eyes were on her now. A flicker of calculation crossed her features before she answered, her ethereal voice carrying an undercurrent of ancient authority. [color=39b54a]"Yes, mercenary. They were."[/color] She offered a slight, enigmatic smile, her gaze drifting back to the fallen bear. [color=39b54a]"No need for forgiveness. It is a fine question. Though their animation lasted far longer than mine. Curious."[/color]

As she rejoined the group, she hung back slightly, her hand resting over her heart. Beneath her fingers, a faint green light pulsed, synchronized with a soft murmur only she could hear. [i][color=39b54a]"One shard down."[/color][/i] Her gaze swept over her new companions: the quiet girl, the mech-suited warrior, the archer tasting the bitterness of his first kill, and of course, her favorite mercenary. Each one would make a lovely servant. A part of her was glad she was traveling with them. They would be useful.

The thought was shattered by a sudden, violent shiver. The faint green light in her chest flared, and for a terrifying moment, her emerald eyes bled to a piercing ruby. She crossed her arms, a semblance of warmth against an inner cold.[color=ed145b] "Great… almost forgot where we were,"[/color] she mumbled, shaking her head to clear it.

Her attention was snagged by the charging brute, who was now celebrating by draining a wineskin. Andrea sighed, shaking her head. [color=ec008c]"You know you could always save that for later?"[/color] she remarked, her voice laced with lazy amusement, knowing full well he wouldn't listen. Her eyes, however, lingered on the scattered corpses. [color=39b54a]"We could continue your practice,"[/color] a voice whispered in her mind. [color=39b54a]"After all, He won't go easy on you."[/color] She scoffed at the thought and, ignoring the coppery stench of death, began methodically searching the bodies, stripping them of scarves and gloves. Anything to ward off the biting cold.