To everyone's surprise, the sudden blizzard that swept across most of the North did not last long. After roaring and raging for one day and two nights, it abruptly ceased on the morning of the third day.
Even so, when the immigrants—who had just endured a major battle and had scarcely rested—struggled to push open their tents, they were greeted by a crystalline, snow-white northern landscape. Beyond the camp, the snow had piled high enough to reach an adult man's waist, leaving them with the distinct feeling of having survived a calamity.
The immigrants quickly noticed something unusual: the entire camp seemed to be shrouded beneath an enormous, semi-transparent spiritual glow.
After passing through that invisible "wall," the biting wind became gentle and mild.
It was precisely because of this [Windproof Barrier] that ordinary people like them, with no extraordinary abilities to speak of, had survived that disaster-like blizzard.
Otherwise, the fierce winds alone could have swept away their poorly secured tents—along with the people inside—at any moment.
"Thanks be to the Guardian Dragon for its protection!"
This was the morning prayer of many Silvermoon immigrants.
Even now, many of them believed that Silver Wing had led the griffons to defeat the Orcs and protect them.
Though the Windproof Barrier truly was Silver Wing's doing.
Yet scattered cries of despair could still be heard throughout the camp.
Strictly speaking, compared to the Orcs' casualties, the losses in that battle could only be called miraculous. But war was war. Even with the timely support of the Cavens Ratmen warband and Levis, the camp still suffered as many as five hundred and forty-two deaths.
The wounded numbered at least four or five times that figure, the overwhelming majority of them Gnolls and Duergar who had stood at the very front lines.
By