The mages moved through the village, asking questions and gathering information. They took great interest in the villagers' magic, watching them practice their spells and asking probing questions about their techniques.
The villagers answered the mages' questions as tersely as possible, trying not to reveal too much while still appearing cooperative.
Despite the villagers' caution, the mages were very perceptive and picked up on subtle clues that hinted at something unusual happening in the woods around the village. They began to suspect that there was more to the tales of the ice spirits than mere superstition.
As they continued their investigation, the mages began to focus more of their attention on the woods, hoping to find some evidence of the ice spirits for themselves.
The mages set out into the woods, their senses sharpened and their eyes scanning the surroundings for any sign of the ice spirits.
They combed through the snow-covered trees and underbrush, searching for any unusual signs or clues. As they moved deeper into the woods, they began to sense a strange chill in the air that grew more noticeable the further they ventured.
The mages continued deeper into the woods, the chill becoming more pronounced with each step. They knew that they were closing in on something, but they still had no idea what it was.
Suddenly, one of the mages stopped and held up a hand, signaling the rest to be quiet. "I hear something," he whispered.
The mages all stopped in their tracks, listening intently. They heard a faint whispering sound, like the wind blowing through the trees, but with a strange, almost melodic quality to it.
The mages exchanged glances, their eyes widening with excitement as they realized that they were hearing the voices of the ice spirits themselves.
The mages crept forward carefully, their steps soft and their heads tilted to try to hear the strange whispering more clearly.
As they drew closer, the whispering became louder and more distinct, until they could make out that it was actually a chorus of voices, all chanting the same strange and beautiful song together.
The mages followed the sound, their hearts pounding with excitement and anticipation. They could tell that they were getting closer and closer to the ice spirits themselves.
Suddenly, they emerged into a clearing in the woods, and the source of the whispering was revealed. Sitting all around the clearing were countless ice spirits, their translucent forms glowing a brilliant blue in the moonlight.
The mages stood at the edge of the clearing, awestruck by the sight before them. The ice spirits sat in the snow, their translucent forms eerily beautiful and otherworldly.
The spirits raised their heads, their eyes fixing on the mages, and the whispering song continued to rise and fall around them.
The mages felt a mixture of awe and trepidation as the ice spirits' gazes fell upon them. They were the first outsiders to lay eyes on these magical beings, and they felt both privileged and terrified.
The song of the ice spirits continued, its haunting chorus wrapping around the mages, sending chills down their spines.