Their return to the village was triumphant, they escaped a pack of wolves with only a few injuries, killing three in the process. Ves’ra was forced to accompany Kes’ra to a meeting with both the chieftain and shaman, making her want to stare down another pack of wolves instead. She had never met the chieftain, other than the day of her birth.

They were given no chance to compose themselves, a commanding voice raising the moment they entered the hut. “Tell us what happened.”

“Wolves back.”

“Who did you lose? And why is the youngling here?”

“None. Ves’ra killed leader and crippled two. She immune to fear too.”

“You sure?”

“Yes, she commanded defense and threw icicles.”

“Where did you get the ice?”

“I extracted heat from water.”

“Interesting.

Kes’ra, you can go and warn the others - we will only be hunting as large group and wait for them to pass once again - I want talk with the youngling myself, I’ll sent her out once we are done.”

“Yes chieftain.”

Ves'ra finally had time to inspect the chieftain as she watched Kes’ra and the shaman leave. The chieftain was strange, two heads taller than any kobold she had ever seen. She held herself differently too, shoulders further back than koboldly possible. The chiefs scales were dark green too, helping her blend in the forest.

“Done with your inspection?”

She nodded. “What did you want to talk about chief?”

“Your future. You know what will happen?”

“Yes, the shaman told me.”

“How long till you are ready?”

“Another few months. I would like to wait until summer passed.”

“No need to stress yourself, take as long as you need.”

“Yes chief.”

“Now go to your band, and good job with the wolves.”

---

The next two weeks were tense, they only left the village in groups of ten or above, always with either Ves’ra or the shaman or the chieftain in tow. It was the first time Ves’ra and her siblings experienced real hunger, not something any of them wanted to repeat.

They only set out in their bands once they were sure the danger had passed. The first day had everyone returning without food, having eaten all their prey on the spot. Their life normalised over the next week, until Ves’ra and her band returned back to the village after a successful hunt. She knew something wasn't right the moment they neared the village, there was tangible tension in the air.

Several bands were chattering fearfully, all huddled in a big group. They joined the two groups, wondering what happened. It seemed one of her siblings had vanished while the group was hunting. That was indeed concerning, even though it was possible she got lost that was very unlikely - she was in the middle of the group.

The chieftain sent out two bands search for the missing child, though Ves’ra thought is was more to appease the others. By the next day the excitement passed, they didn't find Kes’ta, but the forest was dangerous, it had been a wonder they lost noone to the wolves.

Ves’ra found the footprints of a herd of deer. She grinned, deers tasted so much better than the normal vermin they ate.

Following the tracks was trivial and they soon came upon a large clearing. Several deer were grazing in the morning suns, unconcerned with the world except for a few young bucks watching the surroundings.

A deer was tastier the older it was, quite fortunate because older deer were easier to kill too.

“Can you kill one with your ice?”

“Shouldn't be a problem.”

“Go on then.”

Ves’ra created several spikes of ice, took a look at the clearing and sent them flying. The spikes homed in on two deer nearest to them, breaking their legs and causing the others to flee.

After ending the suffering of their prey they ate their fill and started their return home. Just as they were about to leave the clearing Ves'ra heard a cry from above. Startled she looked up, scanning both sky and treeline for the sound. She only saw a small bird far above them.

A sudden gust of wind pushed her forwards, staffering her. Something was wrong. She looked around but nothing came to mind. She’d know when she did, no use worrying. Kes’ra decided the same, she concentrated on them once again.

“Ok, that's enough of a break, pack of the deer Ves’ra hunted for us and let's return to the village, it’s getting dark.”

They dragged the corpses back under the protection of the forest, the open sky was deeply unsettling.

Someone was missing.

“Be careful, something just snachted Kes'ro.”

“Did you see what?”

“No, I looked up and he vanished right after.”

They hurried back to the village, if a predator capable of that had moved in the area the chieftain and shaman would have to do something about it. That would be the first time in her life, the two most powerful beings she knew - leaving the village. She couldn't wait! They made a good time back, arriving only a little after setting out. Ves'ra was completely exhausted, while she was able to use her magic to warm her body, increasing its efficiency, she simply didn't have magic to boost it.

She wasn't allowed to rest though, she had to relay what happened to the chieftain again, being the most articulate of her band.