The roar of the floating coliseum swelled as the Ice Tower and Water Tower teams gathered at the
edge of the arena.
From the Ice Tower section, Frosthaven, arms folded and expression carved from ice, leaned
forward slightly, his blue eyes gleaming with sharp pride.
"Sirel," he called in a voice as cold as glacier wind, "do not disappoint me. Remind them that
water is nothing more than frozen weakness."
Sirel inclined his silver-haired head solemnly. Frost billowed faintly around his shoulders.
Across the marble floor, the Water Tower's master—a tall woman named Thalindra Wavecrest—
snorted, tossing her flowing turquoise hair back with disdain. Her sea-green robes shimmered like
sunlit waves.
"Frozen weakness, Frosthaven? Funny, last I checked, ice melts whenever it gets serious."
Frosthaven's brow twitched as if an icicle had cracked. "We'll see who's left standing, Thalindra."
The arena rang with laughter and jeers as each tower's disciples howled encouragement for their
