“Why are you here?” he asked, watching the woman intently. She was in middle of removing her furs, peeling layer by layer. Lucas wondered how cold was in their native lands and, more importantly, how are they enduring the warmer climate. Any bit of weakness uncovered could prove as decisive and so his eyes watched, his Perception strained as he tried to soak any information available. Even his aura sensing was activated, and he figured out why the heavy furs were worn. Sensing a strong emanation of enchantments coming from them, Lucas figured they served as armor for the woman in front of him. She was still making herself comfortable, showing no signs of answering Lucas question.

“First things first, my name is Pyra and I’m warchief of the Icewander tribe” the woman introduced herself.

“Lucas, swordsman” Lucas responded simply, prompting the woman to burst into laughter.

“Tell me, swordsman, why are you killing my soldiers?” Pyra asked softly, but her eyes betrayed the annoyance and murderous intent. She was certainly not pleased with how the day was going.

“Self – defense, I was attacked first. So I ask you the same question, why are you trying to kill me?” Lucas retorted.

“Why, my warriors get impatient from time to time. I think they paid for their mistake enough” Pyra said, her arms showing the bodies strewn all over the shore. Lucas’s gaze was fixed on the woman, trying his hardest to read her. He wasn’t having much success, woman obviously disciplined enough to keep her cards close to chest.

“Well, now that we got that misunderstanding out the way, why have you decided to grace us with your presents on these shores? It can’t be just to admire your beautiful ship, although I wouldn’t blame you if it’s just that. That thing is a beauty” Lucas spoke, hoping to lull Pyra with some compliments. The woman wasn’t having it, utterly unmoved by the kind words coming from Lucas’s mouth.

“Why, we are here for the Camp Hearth, of course. The glory and treasures we will get when we defeat the pearl of humanity will be immeasurable” Pyra said “but we could use a local guide. I bet you know where it lays. Guide us there and you will get your fair share” she finished.

“A tempting offer, coming from the mouth of such grace and beauty” Lucas said with slight bow, his mind racing to find the solution.

“You flatter too much, but to this swift answer is required” Pyra said, her lips trembling in small smile. “Are you to join us, or should I let my warriors get some revenge for their fallen comrades?” she finished her thoughts, Lucas not surprised by threats.

“You have proved extremely capable tracking us, why don’t you do the same with the settlement?” Lucas asked, trying to buy some more time.

“Our seer is having trouble, the protections around the settlement are powerful, or so it seems” Pyra said with a frown on her face, dissatisfied with the failure. Lucas was grateful to have Bruce as his governor, his competence shinning through yet again.

“So, swordsman, what do you choose?” Pyra asked once again, getting more and moore impatient with every passing second.

“As much as it hurts to turn down a lady such as you, I’m afraid I have to decline. But I will be honored if you would accept a duel with me” Lucas hopefully said, his mind seeing this as only way to avoid the fight with a great disadvantage his party would have.

Pyra snarled at him, but the intense gaze her warriors were sending her wave spoke to Lucas that he was on a right track. They probably had a strong fighting culture and duel challenges, especially bold and brazen ones like the one Lucas just threw, are expected to be accepted, double so for the people on the high station like the one Pyra held.

“Very well, swordsman. I shall crush you for your insolence” the blue – skinned woman relented and started returning her furs on, preparing for a fight. Lucas drew his sword and took a few steps back, activating “Sharpsight”.

“Pyra Hallowedice, Witch of the Fjords level 55”

Lucas was somewhat calmed to se there wasn’t much difference in levels, but her aura showed she had strength beyond the pure numbers. Lucas learned how to tell the difference, as his aura held those same markings, but on a more intense level. This analysis showed he was probably stronger in pure strength, but as he learned with his passive, there were a slew of equalizers which could enable the weaker enemy to triumph if used skillfully. He had to be careful and play it safe here and hopefully slaying of Pyra would prove enough to send these invaders back or at least deter them enough for Lucas to warn the Camp Hearth and start mobilizing proper defensive force. After the Witch marked she was ready, Lucas instantly made his first move, feeling her aura and activating “Aura severing”, trying to break the connection between Pyra and her aura, causing pain deep in her soul and stunning her. He felt severing of first few tethers before powerful force pushed him back, feedback causing him headache. Pyra snarled angrily and started launching balls of pure ice at him, forcing Lucas to activate “Dodge” and rolling out of the harm’s way. Repositioning himself, he activated “Infused piledriver”, his whole body starting to spin towards blue – skinned woman. Just like with the Elementalist in their first fight, an ice wall appeared in Lucas way, his sword piercing it all the way to the hilt. He quickly pulled the sword, hoping it will shatter like Elementalist’s one did, but Pyra proved more capable than her underling, as the wall simply shimmered back into non – existence, ready to intercept more attacks. Pyra wasn’t idle and a hail of icicles launched Lucas way, few of them managing to scratch Lucas where his skin was exposed.

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“You took 67 points of damage”

“You took 65 points of damage”

“You took 54 points of damage”

“You took 68 points of damage”

“You took 44 points of damage”

Gritting his teeth, Lucas activated “Strikes of doom” and started his swings. Hoping his armor will manage to onslaught of icicles, he started pounding on the wall that once again showed up to block attacks. It managed to withstood five hits before shattering, stopping the relentless fire of the icicles as the Pyra suffered the feedback from the shattering of her barrier. Lucas took his opportunity, throwing a “Guiding strike” but the furs from the Pyra flared to life, intercepting Lucas’s attack and sending his sword off course. Pyra recovered at that moment and sent the chilling wind at Lucas, slowly ramping to become a full blown snowstorm, the same skill she used to make her entrance. Unfortunately for her, Lucas had the perfect skill to counter her, activating “Bulwark of balance” when he felt he was about to get blown from his feet. His skill anchored him hard to the ground and he got a clear shot at the surprised Witch. “Strikes of doom” was quickly activated and he started sending powerful attacks. The enchanted furs did their best to keep Pyra unscathed, but the number and strength behind the blows was simply to powerful and Lucas soon started connecting with the body of the Witch. She screamed in agony and her snowstorm doubled in intensity, which was unfortunate seeing as “Bulwark of balance” was about to expire. Wind started howling even louder and even started picking up pieces of grovel from the floor and with no strong anchor Lucas went flying alongside it. Pieces hit him, most rebounding of his armor, but a few pieces managed to hit him on his exposed skin, doing damage.

“You took 54 points of damage”

“You took 46 points of damage”

While Lucas was flying, the wind suddenly changed direction, carrying his helpless form right at the side of the cliff. Straining his massive Agility, he managed to take all his soft parts out of the way, slamming with his armored back, his whole body feeling the impact.

“You took 432 points of damage”

The snowstorm finally subsided, Pyra panting some distance from him. She prepared her ice bolts and launched them at Lucas, forcing him to activate “Dodge”, his battered body screaming in protest. He somehow managed to avoid her initial strikes and soon settled into the rhythm of evading, allowing him enough time to take a health potion out of his ring’s spatial storage and to drink it, making sure he took one out of the best stock he had with him.

“You restored 400 health points via health potion”

Pleasant energies coursed through his body, soothing his many bruises and numbing his battered flesh, wincing at the thought of what he fell tomorrow. He managed a quick glance, seeing his party unahrmed an in defensive posture, eyeing the blue – skinned warriors around them warily. Pyra was getting more frustrated and more reckless with every miss and Lucas soon found himself the opportunity to strike. He activated “Infused piledriver” spinning towards Pyra. Her enchanted furs once again came to life, aiming to entangle Lucas to stop his spin and open him to an attack. Expecting this, he anchored himself with his feet when he arrived near Witch and instead activated “Guiding strike” Furs once again moved to protect their mistress, but she wasn’t the target of Lucas attack. Instead, he deployed the same gambit he used against the King in the Scenario dungeon, aiming at the straps that kept the furs tied to the body of Pyra. Cutting through them, they simply slid down, and just like that, Lucas broke through the last layer of protection the Witch put around herself. She shouted in anger and launched an ice ball at Lucas, striking him in the chest. He felt unnatural cold emanating from the impact and the air was expelled from his chest.

“You took 500 points of damage”

Instinctively, he activated “Dodge” and somersaulted backwards, avoiding follow – up attacks from the Witch. He focused himself on his adversary and found himself smiling. He just needed one more strike from here and the battle will be done.

“Round two” he shouted and prepared to strike.