A woman descended the stairs and shook Erhart's hand. "Boy, you may call me Virginia. Thank you for saving our dear Claire."

The hunters all bowed to her respectfully, and Erhart realized that this woman must be their leader. He replied, "It's a pleasure to meet you, Chief. May we have a talk?"

"Oh, of course, but first let's get some food in you. I imagine you must be starving," Virginia said heartily.

Chief Virginia ordered the hunters, "Children, stoke the fire and bring out the finest food for our Prince Erhart."

"Just look at him — he must have suffered plenty in the freezing cold of our Silver Dragon Snow Mountain."

Soon, simple yet mouthwatering dishes were carried to the table: roast chicken, thick seared steaks, warm dark bread, and hot wine mixed with milk.

Erhart was famished, but he stayed cautious. Only after he saw the chief and the hunters all digging in did he finally pick up his knife and fork with peace of mind.

After the meal, Virginia took out herbs and applied them to Claire's wounded leg."Thank you for tending to me yourself, Chief — I'll heal twice as fast because it's your hands!"Claire said gratefully.

Then she led Erhart to her own room. It was a heavily guarded black chamber secured with a massive lock, built entirely of cold, hard steel.

Everything inside — the candlesticks, the bows, the daggers, the axes, and even the bookcase standing in the shadows crammed with books — was made of icy black metal.

The two sat down by the fire. Erhart asked, "Chief, why do you want to defeat the Silver Dragon?She is the guardian of the snowy mountains."

Virginia took down a thick, yellowed book from the very top shelf and opened it for Erhart to see.

This book records that the Silver Dragon is the incarnation of bitter frost and cruel cold. She needs ice and snow to sustain herself, and because of that, winter always clings to her side. The crops we plant can never sprout.

"Only by defeating her will the Silver Dragon Snow Mountain see spring at last, and our hunter clan will no longer have to scrape by on hunting alone. I sincerely ask you to help us defeat her, little prince." said Virginia.

Erhart fell silent. He understood how hard it was for the hunters of the Silver Dragon Snow Mountain, and the weight of the choice before him felt as heavy as the iron walls around them.