The surrounding environment was difficult to see as they ventured deeper because the cold winds created a cold mist which obstructed everyone's views a little so everyone had to remain close together.
The sounds only came from the animals pulling the carriages and sleds but also from the resistance created beneath when the bottom of them slid over the different surfaces.
There was an occasional shift between ice, snow, rock and soil on the ground so the underneath of the carriages were met with some resistance and there was the occasional bump or obstruction on the way.
The sounds of the strong wind accompanied everything else until there were several loud growls coming from the nearby mountain area.
The journey had been taken to avoid any small villages or other settlements which would make it difficult for a larger group to pass through so the longer way around had to be taken rather than the straight and shorter route.
The route which had been taken was closer to the mountains and the forest areas surrounding or on the mountains.
A large group of different sized animals appeared in the distance and were on their way to make contact with the travelling group.
They showed no signs of stopping and were very aggressive looking as they let out loud howls and growls.
Ki shouted towards the people around her. "Incoming!"
The sleds nearby split up a little while the main carriages had stopped in place.
In one of them, two snow white arctic foxes poked their faces outside then stepped down while being followed by two beautiful and cold looking girls.
Each of them carried a sword at their waist and unsheathed it after they had stepped onto the hard ground.
Rayleigh turned to look towards Lumi with a gaze full of provocation. "How about we make a bet how many we can kill?"
Rayleigh had a slightly better relationship with Lumi since leaving the sect but it did not remove the rivalry she felt towards her old rival.
The main problem was Lumi who stood there indifferently then walked towards to incoming beasts.
Rayleigh saw Lumi behave as she always did then let out a sigh. 'At least she has improved a little?'
Rayleigh had noticed that Lumi had improved over the years and continued to keep up the rivalry between them.
If it was anyone else that did not know Lumi so well then they would have taken her actions as ignoring Rayleigh's words and challenge.
The actual situation was that it was Lumi's own silent acknowledgment of the challenge.
Most others would have just misunderstood it as her going to do her duty like before while ignoring those around her but there were a couple of telltale signs which showed that she was listening to Rayleigh and had then only walked off after she had been challenged.
Rayleigh saw that Lumi was getting ahead of herself so she ran forward while displaying light and quick movements as she stepped over the layer of snow.
Ki went by the bigger carriage and greeted Adam and Elizabeth who were about to step outside. "Mother, Father.. you stay inside for now. It is dangerous right now."
Elizabeth tugged at the clothes of Adam to pull him back inside while scolding, "What do you think you can do in this situation. We need to trust our daughter more."
Adam showed a helpless smile towards Ki as he was pulled back inside. "Since your mother says so.. I have no choice but be careful out there."
Ki nodded before closing the door of the carriage to lock them both inside where they would be free from harm.
Ki was well aware of her mother and father's individual combat abilities but she did not wish for them to be exposed in such an open place.
There was also an element of danger involved since her mother and father had both not actively participated in real life and death combat situations.
Both parents had left behind their contracted beasts because they were both too big to be allowed entry into either of the cities so they both had even less protection than before.
The charging figures off in the distance were getting closer and more visible while a formation was being set up in front of the carriages.
The nearby sleds had been moving around nearby while the people on the sled had been controlling the movements of the dogs or reindeers.
The others that were seated or standing in front or behind them had their weapons drawn in preparation for the fight which would be coming.
The wolves got closer and wildly charged towards the targets in front of them while letting out howls.
The guards which had been prepared by Ki and the Northern Warlord Sect held their ground to keep their formation in tact. "Ready!"
"Howl!"
"Attack!"
"Shriek!"
A white wolf near the side of the wolf pack was pierced in the side with an arrow which came from one of the moving sleds and another arrow was being inserted onto the string of the bow.
A couple more arrows flew into the pack of wolves which followed with a couple more shrieks from the wolves that were hit by them.
One had died upon being pierced in the side of the neck while the others had been slightly obstructed by the arrows so their speed had slowed down.
Those in the pack had left them further behind and unprotected as more arrows pierced into their vulnerable bodies.
The pack was originally a strong and large one with over thirty wolves but a sixth of them had been dealt with before they reached their target of attack.
The pack ignored those that got left behind and continued running towards the humans like they had been starving for a long time and wanted to devour the humans and the animals in front of them.
It did not seem so strange at first until people saw them when they had gotten closer. "Something is wrong with these wolves!"
"Ready!"
Another wave of arrows came from both sides which caused a small amount to stumble over and affect the others behind them.
Just as they were within range of those in the formation, someone shouted. "Fire!"
Several archers raised their bows towards the sky from behind those that were holding the front lines and waiting for the incoming impact from the approaching wolves.
The arrows flew into the sky then fell down onto the wolves which had come within range but many of they had kept moving even after their bodies had been harmed.
Some fell behind so their groups destructive abilities had been greatly damaged.
Over ten remained which were still in a good condition or had only sustained a less threatening wound from an arrow while a few trailed further behind.
A lone wolf tried to lift its body with an arrow stuck in its back leg then a group of dogs passed by it not too far away while someone held a bow pointed towards it when passing by.
The string was released as the wolf set its sights on the sled but the arrow pierced deep into its throat which made it let out a deathly howl.