"Please say it," Rowe said.
The old frost giant wizard hesitated for a moment before replying gravely, "Our tribe has an outstanding warrior, Hyosgem. He went out hunting not long ago and was unfortunately bitten by a serpent. I tried everything in my power, but I was unable to purge the venom from his body... Since the Light Spear Clan is said to be skilled in healing magic, may I ask for your assistance in trying to save him?"
Rowe blinked, caught off guard. "What kind of snake could do that much damage?"
The wizard sighed. "The Hanji Serpent. It's one of the most dangerous and venomous snakes in all the Nine Realms. Fortunately, Hyosgem is strong—otherwise, he would've died before making it back to the tribe."
He fixed his gaze on Rowe again. "But if he doesn't recover soon, he may fall into eternal sleep."
Rowe paused thoughtfully. Cleansing poison was exactly the kind of situation the cleansing spell fragments he possessed could resolve. It wouldn't be difficult to remove the venom. But using them here, on a frost giant of all things, gave him pause.
So far, the elder seemed to hold no suspicions about his identity. Rowe didn't want to risk exposing his true nature by using a rare and powerful ability that might not match what he claimed to be.
The old wizard added gently, "Of course, our tribe will never forget the kindness of you or your people."
Rowe weighed the risks for a moment longer, then slowly nodded. "Alright. I can give it a try."
A smile spread across the old wizard's face. He stood up. "Thank you. Then let's go immediately. The boy is suffering."
"Very well."
The two left the central hall and crossed the icy paths of the village. Soon, they arrived at a dome-shaped ice dwelling. Inside, a young frost giant lay motionless on a stone bed, his eyes shut and brow furrowed in pain.
Two other giants, likely relatives, stood beside him. Upon seeing the old wizard, they rose instantly.
"Master Helbrindi."
Helbrindi nodded, gesturing toward Rowe. "This is Vol'jin, a guest from the Zandalari Light Spear Clan."
"The Light Spear Clan?" The two giants looked confused.
Helbrindi didn't explain further. "Whether Hyosgem survives now depends on him."
Hearing this, the two giants turned toward Rowe with newfound respect. After quick introductions, they urged him, "Please, Mr. Woking."
Rowe stepped forward and leaned over Hyosgem, pretending to examine him seriously. He tapped into the act with practiced precision, furrowing his brow. "As expected… the venom is deep in his system."
A ripple of concern passed through the other three giants.
The old wizard asked quickly, "Is it… treatable?"
Rowe sighed. "Honestly, I'm only thirty percent confident. If something goes wrong, I could be poisoned myself. My life would be at risk."
The room fell silent. The frost giants exchanged uncertain glances.
Helbrindi considered this, then said, "Then forget it. We cannot endanger the life of a guest—"
"No," Rowe interrupted, lifting his head. His voice was calm but resolute. "You are the defenders of Jotunheim. Warriors who stand against the cold and the dark. Saving one of your own is a Light Spear honor. I'm willing to try."
The three frost giants were visibly moved. The old wizard placed a heavy hand on Rowe's shoulder. "Vol'jin, son of Sen'jin, you will forever be a friend of the Ice-Shaping Tribe."
Rowe gave a solemn nod and turned to the injured Hyosgem. "I will begin now."
He lowered himself beside the frost giant, muttering a fabricated incantation. "Bwonsamdi, god of life… Watch over your Zandalari children, and all those who fight for justice…"
With his palm on Hyosgem's chest, Rowe channeled his holy deed.
Shlkt!
The freezing cold radiating from the frost giant's body made Rowe shiver. His hand jerked involuntarily.
"What is it?" Helbrindi asked quickly.
"The venom is potent…" Rowe muttered, fighting off the icy aura creeping up his arm.
There was no backing out now. He clenched his jaw, summoned the holy deed embedded in his spirit—
Cleanse.
Holy Light surged from his hands, pure and radiant, wrapping Hyosgem in waves of shimmering energy. The room was bathed in brilliance as if the sun itself had burst within the igloo.
Rowe layered a second spell—Illumination—onto the first, causing his hands to glow with dazzling brilliance. The sacred light flared so intensely that the walls of the ice dwelling reflected the radiance in every direction.
The frost giants stared in awe, clearly having never witnessed such a spectacle. One of them muttered, "He… he glows like the sun."
But Rowe was gritting his teeth. The biting cold of Hyosgem's body gnawed into his bones. He could barely keep his hand steady.
Finally, when the cleansing was complete and the light had poured into Hyosgem like a divine flood, Rowe pulled his hand back with great effort.
He was shaking. His hands throbbed with cold. Thankfully, his disguise as an ice demon hunter kept his appearance convincingly bluish, hiding his actual discomfort.
"It should be done…" he exhaled.
The results were almost instant. Color—icy blue but healthy—returned to Hyosgem's face. The painful crease in his brow relaxed. His breathing steadied.
Gasps of joy erupted from the two relatives. One fell to his knees in relief. The old wizard was speechless.
"Thank you! Thank you so much!" one of them cried, embracing the recovering Hyosgem.
Helbrindi gripped Rowe's hands tightly.
Ah, damn it! Rowe internally cursed. The frost wizard's touch sent another wave of cold searing up his arm.
"I… I just need to rest for a moment…" he stammered, barely holding his forced smile.
Helbrindi saw his fatigue and nodded quickly. "Of course! Someone, prepare a warm—uh, suitable room for Mr. Woking!"
Before Rowe could pull his hand away, Helbrindi squeezed it once more. "We will never forget what you've done."
Once alone in the igloo provided for him, Rowe shut the door and immediately retrieved a cold-resistance tonic, rubbing it vigorously onto his hands. He cast Bestow Faith upon himself and let out a ragged breath.
"Gods… I nearly froze to death."
Ten hours passed before there was a knock at the door.
Knock knock.
"Come in."
It was Helbrindi again, smiling warmly. "Mr. Woking, how have you rested?"
"Your hospitality was unforgettable," Rowe replied diplomatically.
"Hyosgem is awake. He insisted on seeing you to express his gratitude personally."
Rowe followed him back to the healing hut, where Hyosgem now lay propped up, still weak but awake.
"Thank you for saving my life," he said hoarsely.
Rowe nodded. "It was the honor of the Light Spear Clan."
Hyosgem added, "I heard you risked your own life to save mine. The Light Spear are truly noble people… Mr. Vol'jin, please accept this humble token."
At his signal, a frost giant entered with a long, crystal-forged ice chest. He set it before Rowe with reverence.