Rayko survived the Dragon in the snowy Arkate Mountains and is taking its skin to be worked by wizards in the city. Chased by Rubied Assassins and Mountain Dogs as she came through snow filled pines she decides to end her flight and stand with her sword. Will she survive? A short story of the warrior met in the first book of the Gemstone Series, "The Diamond Coronal", and her battle of survival alone in the wilderness.