Shadow Slave

Eventually, Sunny climbed out of the sleeping niche and went about the business of managing the caravan. They had made it far into the mountains and were already moving north, toward their true goal.

The blizzard was still raging, reducing visibility to almost zero. The landscape was as grim and foreboding as ever.

Surrounding areas needed to be scouted, maps needed to be updated, reports needed to be received, and a hundred other things demanded his attention.

Before getting down to it, Sunny spared a few moments to stare at the grey fabric and lusterless black leather of the Puppeteer's Shroud.

Who could have thought that he would be reduced to seriously using it again, after all that time?

'It sure is much more comfortable than walking around in a full plate of steel armor. Ah, the old me had it good...'

Actually, not really.

Sunny was ready to climb to the roof of the Rhino when he noticed Beth staring at him with a strange expression. He lingered for a moment.

"What?"

She blinked a couple of times, then pulled her gaze away.

"No, no... nothing..."

Sunny frowned.

"Just say it, will you?"

Beth remained silent for a second, then asked hesitantly:

"Are you... uh... are you wearing makeup?"

time, it was

would

woman gave him a

just look a little

Sunny grinned.

of a marble statue, no

sigh

how

and appeared on top of the Rhino, sighing as the bone-chilling

passive

Sunny made himself heavier for better stability, summoned the Memory of Ice, and wrapped the shadow he kept with himself around his body, simultaneously circulating

even more comfortable. Sunny still sensed a slight chill, but it was in no way bothersome. Additionally, the winds were powerless against him. It was as if Sunny had

Huh.

down on the roof and

get used to

of the Antarctic Center was still hard and dangerous, but with Naeve assisting

vehicles. Sunny was stationed at the head of the column, while Naeve stayed in the rear to provide the best possible defensive

them to fight side by side to vanquish it. Going into

'Ah. Finally, a professional...'

using a long bone harpoon and a net woven out of unnaturally durable threads

severe restriction, though, so the scion of the House of Night

more

between the two of them.

made

things were going... as expected. The caravan continued to grow, several more groups of Erebus Field survivors joining it. By then, Sunny was secretly starting to thank the gods that Naeve's ship had suffered catastrophic damage. Without the additional supplies looted from its holds, he would have to deal with a supply

though, he had enough to feed everyone and arm those who could and knew how to fight, for

Beth who showed any reaction was Kim. At some point, she