The shape ahead moved slowly through the snow.
At first, it looked like part of the mountain had broken free and learned to walk. It was enormous, easily taller than the ruined watchtowers Solania had abandoned along the northern ridges, with a body made of pale blue flesh veined in white ice. Frost clung to its shoulders in thick plates. Its arms hung long and heavy at its sides, knuckles nearly brushing the ground whenever it leaned forward. Each step sank deep into the snow and crushed the frozen crust beneath it with a dull, tired sound.
An ice giant.
Ludwig raised one hand, and the group stopped behind a ridge of stone.
No one spoke at first.
