“What!? The lakes are not even frozen! I saw it earlier today. Even with all the snow and cold wind, there was not even a hint of ice on top of the lake or the river!” shouted Klyn.

“It could be a special skill that the demigods have!” shouted Akira just as worried as Klyn.

Akira and the small werewolf army reached the south shore and tried to look through the swirling wall of snow.

He could only see a short distance ahead, as there was a massive amount of steam rising from the lake due to the blizzard clashing with the warm water.

“Akira what's all the howling about!?” shouted Varbu as he ran up to Akira.

“Some unknown group of people are crossing the lake.”

“In this blizzard? Are they mad!? Crossing the lake in this weather is suicidal!”

“Varbu, are you sure you can handle fighting in this blizzard?” asked Akira.

“Don't worry we can handle it, plus if they get across the lake then I can really test out my spin to win fire attack! I have also brought my small army to support you!

The prince and princess along with their army have taken over commanding the walls of the village since they are not as robust as us orcs,” said Varbu as he pointed to his own 200 soldiers and the warrior chiefs who commanded them.

“Just make sure that your soldiers are safe and can handle the cold. We cannot afford to have them getting sick and not being able to protect the city,” said Akira as he turned his attention back to the blurry lake in front of him.

“Lord! There is movement over there!” shouted Dolph as he pointed in a direction from the southeast.

Akira focused on the area that was pointed out and could just barely see several dark figures hidden by the snow and steam that were moving directly towards them.

“Shields ready! Javelins ready!” shouted Akira.

Everyone watched as the dark blobs turned into human forms as they slowly drew closer. A sudden whirlwind of snow surrounded the approaching unknowns slowly clearing a circular area around them.

Akira looked to Klyn, “Is this from one of the shaman?”

“No!”

A dome was created around the dark figures not letting any snow inside. The cleared up area allowed Akira and the others to have a better view of who was approaching them.

There were around thirty people that Akira could see walking towards them. Each of them was only wearing what looked to be light silky robes that looked familiar in design.

As they came closer they could see that they were indeed walking on top of the water. Every time the female at the front of the group took a step a large chunk of ice was created under her foot connecting to an ice road behind her.

“Hold your fire!” shouted Akira.

Akira watched closely as a group of 20 men and 10 women walked to the edge of the shore and stopped in front of the gathered warriors.

“So this was what all the hollering was about. What a warm welcome on such a cool winters day,” said a tall and slim elderly man with a long pointed beard that was as white as the snow falling from the sky.

“Hush, Nollan, they have every right to protect their settlement,” said a familiar female voice that Akira had not heard in several months.

“Is that how you're going to speak to your loving grandfather?” asked the old man.

“Awooooo~!” Akira let out a howl letting everyone know that the group was not an enemy and ordered them to return to their homes or shelter.

“Yuki what are you doing here? It would have been nice if you had sent a message ahead letting us know that you would be making a visit.”

“I heard the news that your clans had created a new settlement and so I decided to come right away. I talked my grandfather into getting my parents to form a delegation to come here and start talks of trade and forming an alliance,” said Yuki.

“My daughter is a really cold and stubborn person. I don't know where she gets it from,” said the equally stubborn old man.

“May we join you on land?” asked Yuki who was still standing on the ice over the warm water of the lake.

“Yes, please do! I am sure the grand elders will be happy to welcome you and your grandfather. Please follow me,” said Akira.

“Soldiers return to your barracks!”

***

Ding!

A temporary alliance with Yukionna kingdom.

“...again we thank you for the gifts you have brought us,” said Grand elder Carl.

“It was nothing. I brought it as a thank you gift for taking care of my granddaughter while she was living with you in such a deadly place,” said Nollan.

“Grandfather, don't talk about stuff like that,” said Yuki.

“What? Are you talking about the fact that you ran away from home after getting in a fight with your mother? I think that little trip of yours did you some good...”

A cold whistling wind started to flutter around Yuki causing her hair to fly about erratically as she glared at her grandfather.

“Hah... what am I to do. My cute granddaughter is just like her mother, bad temper and all.”

Small ice shards started to form in the wind swirling around Yuki.

“Princess please calm down,” said a female attendant that was standing behind Yuki as she placed a hand on her shoulder to shake her a bit.

“Ahem... we have already concluded the trade and alliance deals. Is there anything else that you think we need to discuss?” asked Akira trying to break the ice. :p

“Yes, I have a few concerns. This settlement may be small now but I am sure it will grow into one of the most important cities of the continent connecting the north with the south for trade.

While walking to the castle I felt that the town's current defenses are severely lacking. In order to ensure our alliance with each other is firm. I believe you must strengthen your settlement so that you do not call us for help whenever bandits attack,” said Nollan.

“Grandfather, the Earth tribe's warriors are not weak. They can handle bandits,” said Yuki coldly. “But I have to agree with my grandfather that the defenses of this town are not up to par with what is needed to protect it.”

“We have already planned out several projects for updating and reinforcing the town's defenses,” said grand elder Hegir.

“We are just waiting until the warm months arrive,” said Akira.

“If you already have it all planned out then that settles my worries for now,” said Nollan.

“Akira, since you are the leader of Kodria, is it possible that you could come and meet with my parents? Although my grandfather and I have agreed to the terms of trade and alliance, we have to get both my mother and father to accept the terms,” said Yuki.

“I can't leave right now with the warm months arriving soon. There is just too much I have to do. I can accompany you after we take care of all the main projects,” said Akira.

“Then, we will stay here as a representative group of the Yuki-onna race until the time you can leave,” said Nollan.

“If you need a place to stay we have a few extra rooms in the castle,” said Akira.

“If you can find a room for my granddaughter and her handmaidens that will be nice. I and the rest of the warriors will find and pay for lodging in the town,” said Nollan.

***

The next day.

Akira sat on a fur carpet inside of his large suite hammering in some short nails connecting the metal square basket under the short table leaving just enough room between the two.

“Akira today was supposed to be our day for a date! Why are we just sitting inside doing nothing?” asked Mileena.

“The blizzard is still roaring outside. What can we do with such nasty weather outside,” said Akira as he hammered in the last nail.

“The blizzard should die out before noon,” said Yuki who was now staying in a room next to Azura who was extremely happy to see her best friend.

“Then I guess we can go out for lunch and do whatever you want,” said Akira as he tested the sturdiness of the newly nailed metal basket.

“What are you doing?” asked Azura who had been watching Akira work on the project for some time.

“It is my newest secret invention! Let me show you how it works,” said Akira as he flipped the short stubby table back over onto its legs.

He stood up and walked over to the burning fire and grabbed a small metal shovel that was used for clearing the ashes and gathered a few of the glowing red coals. He brought the coals to the stubby table, knelt down, and awkwardly reached under the table with one arm and deposited the coals into the metal basket.

He put the small shovel back on the tool rack next to the fireplace and returned to the small table where he took a blanket and placed it over the table.

“There It's complete!” said Akira.

“What is it and what is it supposed to do?” asked Maya.

“I call it the 'Leg oven, toe toaster 1.0'! It is supposed to let you relax comfortably underneath without the need for a large fire to keep warm. I am sure everyone will want one!”

“That's a dumb name. Can't you ever come up with a normal name?” asked Azura.

“Just watch me, this is how you use it,” said Akira, ignoring his little sister's harsh words. He sat down and picked up part of the blanket so that he could place his legs under the table.

“Wow it really is already quite warm under here,” said Akira when his legs were all the way under the table.

He laid on his side and tried to move his legs but...

“OWWW! HOT! HOT!”

In his clumsy attempt to get out from under the table he knocked it over sending the coals all over the place.

Before they could start burning the wood furniture or the fur rug Yuki waved her hand and froze the coals.

Akira was gently rubbing his sore leg that had been slightly burnt when it had touched the metal basket.

“My brother is an idiot!” said Azura embarrassed after watching the whole thing.

“Hey it's only v1.0 so of course it will have some problems it needs fixing! It's just a minor thing I forgot to take care of. All it needs is some type of insulation to not burn the user,” said Akira as he started pulling out things from his bag.