A snowy mountain cave.
A woman with a serene expression lay on a massive stone bed.
Her body was frozen solid, clear as crystal.
A small figure sat not far from her, chin in his hands, blinking as he watched her.
"Tiger, are you done with your training?" Ronan Warner asked, walking over slowly with herbs in his hand.
He reached out and patted the boy's little head.
Titus Miles pointed at the ice bed, saying sadly, "Auntie… sleepy… won't wake up…"
Ronan Warner glanced at the woman encased in ice and smiled. "She'll wake up once I remove the needle."
He walked slowly to the stone bed, reached out, and pulled a Golden Needle from the woman's head, placing it in a nearby vial of medicinal solution.
"Tiger, watch her. Call me if she wakes up."
Titus Miles nodded, though he only seemed to half-understand. He picked up his little stool and moved a few steps closer.
He sat by the stone bed, watching the woman intently.
