The Calamity of Frost

4E 201 | Mid Hearthfire | Day 10 in Skyrim

Mei's next assault erased the illusion that one successful cut had changed the battle.

Tsukihana defended until defense became survival. The chain battered her hidden armor. The sickle kissed flesh whenever her concentration slipped. Frost climbed her boots and stiffened the joints of her right hand.

Still, she watched.

Every style possessed a decision hidden inside its chaos. Mei used laughter to disguise attention, broad motions to conceal small corrections, and cold to narrow the ground until the opponent moved where she wished.

Tsukihana began stepping before the trap closed.

Mei tilted her head. "Are you truly his student? The master of Getsumeiryū?"

The name struck harder than the chain.

"He fought much better," Mei continued. "Even gave Han over there trouble."

The wooden-masked man scoffed. "You fared no better. Only the boss truly wounded him. We were appetizers."

"You were cut in half," Mei said.

"There was fire involved."

They laughed about her master's death.

Rage entered Tsukihana without heat. Her stance lowered. The sword became still.

Mei's amusement sharpened. "There. Now you look like him."

Tsukihana attacked with everything she had left.

For several breaths, steel and chain became one continuous sound. She forced Mei backward once, then twice. Han rose from the log, no longer entirely relaxed.

Mei caught Tsukihana's blade and lifted the sickle for a final strike.

A sharp whistle crossed the outpost.

An arrow missed Mei by several feet.

Han laughed. "Terrible shot."

The second arrow struck the ground between them.

A crystal fixed beneath the arrowhead began to glow.

Han's head turned. "Wait."

The explosion ripped the night open.

Tsukihana shielded her face as frost, fire, and broken timber filled the air. Mei and Han disappeared into the blast.

Hooves thundered through the trees.

Inigo rode into the camp standing on his saddle for no defensible reason. Remiel followed with both hands locked around her reins.

"NO TIME TO EXPLAIN!" Inigo shouted. "GRAB ON!"

Tsukihana jumped behind him.

Remiel looked over, eyes bright with disbelief. "It worked! It actually—" She cleared her throat. "I mean, of course it worked. Another successful invention by yours truly."

A branch struck her across the face as they fled.

Inigo laughed until he nearly fell from the horse.