“Oh yes, indeed it is!” her mate said, almost as if it was his own city. “It looks strong,” Krisafitsa-Tharina replied, her eyes expertly gauging the height and defensive capability of the walls. She was well aware of the huge importance the city held in Tharaman’s life, and she also knew that the more casual his tone, the more deeply he felt. She purred and nuzzled his cheek affectionately. “There, my dear, is Frostmarris, capital of the Icemark,” he said in almost conversational tones to his Tharina beside him. The huge defensive earth banks that had been built during the last war against the Polypontian Empire still circled its walls, and in the brilliant sunshine they glittered and gleamed like carved quartz under their covering of snow. As Tharaman-Thar and his army of Snow Leopards emerged from the forest, he called a halt and looked out across the plain towards the city of Frostmarris.