They had been careless - complacent that they had accounted for everything. But, with hindsight, it should have been obvious that the orcs of the Bone Claw tribe would attack. With the flying castle restored, whoever controlled it and its secrets would become a major power in the Cold Mountains. Sister Constanza, however, was not concerned with what-ifs and what-might-have-beens. Right now, she was more concerned with survival.

The Bone Claw orcs had attacked by the light of the moon. Their hunched forms were barely visible: just shrouded shadows moving swiftly across the snowdrifts that had cushioned the aerial fortress's fall. The darkness was no impediment to Sister Constanza. Kin to the orcs - constanta was both cursed and blessed by her shared heritage. In the light of the full moon she could see just as well as if it was daylight. And, like her orcish kin, her plan was simple.

Constanza raised her shield and mace, and bellowed a challenge into the night. Every orc on the glacial plain heard it and understood: "I am the strongest! Fight me!" There was only one orc who could answer the challenge. The response sounded loud above the din of battle: "I will fight!"

The horde of warriors parted, allowing Broken Jaw - the chieftain of the Bone Claw orcs - to stride forth. Constanza and he had met before, in the great hall of the Bone Claw tribe. Broken Jaw had refused to come to terms then. Now his intent was obvious.

Orc and half-orc met, their weapons clashing. A shock ran through Constanza's body as her shield stopped the chief's blow. She swung her mace, catching Broken Jaw in his ribs and forcing him back. The other orcs - those not already engaged in the battle - roared their encouragement. Again and again, Constanza and Broken Jaw attacked each other. Broken Jaw had supernatural strength, and each blow that got past Constanza's guard took its toll. However, Constanza was faster and more skilled. For every blow she took, she dealt two. Even so, the battle was not in her favour.

A shadow passed before the moon. Constanza and Broken Jaw both glanced upwards, and caught sight of a dragon, its wings spread wide above the battlefield and ... .

"Make a constitution save," the Dungeon Master said.

Constanza's player picked up the die and tossed it onto the table so all could see the outcome ... .

A terrible wave of white cold rolled across the snow-covered plain, freezing all it touched. Sheltering behind her shield, Constanza watched the orcs fall. Then the cold passed, leaving ice-covered corpses in its wake.

Constanza raised her arms and bellowed in triumph. Then, almost contemptuously, she shattered Broken Jaw's frozen body with one blow.