The carriage arrived in Lindon as the sun began to set. The day's heat lingered as the group exited the carriage.

"It's about time you all got here!" they all heard Min exclaim from under a large and shady tree. "I got here as soon as you contacted me Ryoga."

"Thanks for coming at such short notice Min." Ryoga addressed the group, "Let's split up this time. Ate, go north with Cueball and Smirk. Sven, take Min and Gohan and go south. Charjer, we'll go west." Everyone murmured their agreement and went in their respective groups, complaining about the heat as they went.

Ate, Cueball, and Smirk's search ended with no results, save for an apple pie Smirk successfully stole from an open window sill. Sven, Min, and Gohan's search yielded them similar results, except Sven got swatted with a broom when he tried to steal an apple pie.

As Ryoga and Charjer traveled down the street, Charjer felt a blast of cold air coming from his right. "Ryoga," he called. Ryoga hurried over. "There's a cold breeze coming from this direction." He pointed down a leaf-strewn path.

"Take a look further down and tell me what you see," instructed Ryoga. Charjer nodded and gazed down the path and saw an abandoned home.

"It looks like the air's coming from a vacant home," Charjer reported.

Ryoga thought for a moment. "Let me contact everyone and have them gather here." Charjer nodded and stood on guard. In moments, the group had reassembled on Ryoga's and Charjer's position.

"Oooh, it feels good here," purred Smirk. The others murmured in agreement.

"Let's go," said Ryoga and everyone made their way to the vacant home. Smirk tried the door and found it to be locked, so she picked it open. Sven entered first and as his foot came down on the floor, he fell through it to the basement.

"No more third helpings for you big man," said Cueball. Everyone around him giggled.

"Very funny," said Sven. "Help me out. I fell through the basement floor, too." The group carefully made their way down and Ate and Gohan pulled Sven out of the floor after Ryoga cast a spell of levitation on him. Charjer investigated the western side of the room as Sven was being aided. He could feel colder air as he got closer to a throw rug. He moved it and discovered a hidden trap door.

"Everyone," called Charjer. "I've found a hidden door." Everyone gathered around him.

Ate pulled on it. "It's locked."

Cueball looked at Smirk. "Do your thing missie." Smirk beamed and easily opened the door. Charjer entered first followed by Smirk, Ate, Cueball, Min, Sven, Ryoga, and Gohan. As they descended, the air grew steadily colder.

At the bottom, they found stalagmites made of ice and at the far end of the room, the Ice Witch Gowrie. She was weakened, but still dangerous.

Ryoga began chanting to conjure a fireball when Charjer sensed movement behind them. He drew his weapon and turned around to find himself face-to-face with a balrog.