-234- Let's hope so

In the dimly lit wooden hut, Sejuani squinted at the group of Southerners gathered around the campfire, eating warm food. 

She narrowed her eyes, her pallid face adorned with a wave-shaped scar, adding an edge to her otherwise stern countenance. Paired with Sejuani's delicate nose and icy blue eyes, it exuded a different kind of charm.

However, at this moment, the powerful and stern Warmother couldn't help but swallow involuntarily as she lowered her head, feeling a slight soreness in her throat.

Being hungry is uncomfortable, especially when one is accustomed to it, which is even more distressing.

But Sejuani had grown accustomed to it. Every winter was a severe challenge for the Winter's Claw, as they often lost many of their people due to food shortages and harsh weather conditions.

But the Southerners certainly didn't have to worry about the weather. Right now, the feast of the Southerners before Sejuani's eyes looked very satisfying.

Sejuani saw the frozen but warmed bread dipped in soup, the fragrant jerky, and even the vegetables. She tried hard not to look at the warm campfire, the steaming pot, the beautiful glass bottles of liquor, and the cute pastries on delicate plates.

The Southern way of life always made Sejuani feel luxurious, something unseen in the North.

Come to think of it, Sejuani hadn't drunk water for two days. Running all the way, she left most of her people at the northern camp and only brought about twenty warriors with her to the southern border.

Drüvask's boars, seven in total, were brought along. Bristle and his kin always transported goods well. Therefore, when Sejuani headed south, she didn't bring too many of her people. She was just here to raid for food, but that didn't mean she succeeded every time. Noxians and Demacians weren't fools, and those tricky sliverwing raptors, even Sejuani found them hard to deal with.

Especially in the South, Sejuani's strength would diminish, and her magic, usually able to freeze entire rivers in the extreme cold of the North, weakened considerably here.

Furthermore, she had been hungry for too many days.

Of course, Sejuani wasn't making excuses for her failure.

Losing is losing, and those who lose always find excuses.

Sejuani closed her eyes. She had sworn countless times, but she had always managed to overcome adversity successfully. But this time, she failed miserably while heading south.

She had thought that one day she would be defeated, one day she would fall, but she hadn't expected it to be today.

Thinking about this, Sejuani let out a bitter smile.

So, she still wanted to rule the North? Sejuani thought. 

In a few months, when winter comes, this incident of her being caught by Southerners will surely spread throughout Freljord. 

Then, when those people move in droves towards the cold North, her childhood friend, sworn enemy, friend, Ashe, would know about it.

What would Ashe think of her?

Who would be the new Warmother of the Winter's Claw?

Can they survive this winter?

Sejuani got lost in thought. In the warm wooden hut, smelling the fragrant food, Sejuani was momentarily lost in some memories.

How long had it been since she stopped?

She didn't know. Until a person appeared in front of Sejuani with a bowl, her presence broke Sejuani's reminiscence of the past.

"Have some food." Beautiful blue hair cascaded smoothly over her shoulders as the person bent down, looking at Sejuani with aquamarine eyes, then offered a bowl.

"You're the partner Vi mentioned for the joint operation, right?" Sejuani opened her eyes, looking at the person, and suddenly spoke in a deep voice.

"Caitlyn, Caitlyn Kiramman." Caitlyn looked at Sejuani, smiling as she spoke her name.

Vi had told Caitlyn everything before she came. Caitlyn knew Sejuani wasn't an enemy.

"My people. What have you done to them?"

"Don't worry, they're just like you, just tied up. The injured ones are receiving our treatment. And by the way, none of them died." Caitlyn looked at Sejuani's bound hands behind her back, pondered for a moment, then sat in front of Sejuani.

Vi was already asleep after the commotion.

And Caitlyn didn't think she could control Sejuani to free her at this distance, so she sat sideways in front of Sejuani, picked up the bowl, and said apologetically, "Forgive me for not releasing you, but I think you'll understand."

Sejuani frowned at Caitlyn's actions, asking, "You said my people are okay?"

"Yes, just like you, their injuries have healed. But you're stronger. Only you've woken up." Caitlyn smiled.

Her aristocratic manners made Sejuani uncomfortable, but she didn't dislike Caitlyn either.

Polite and sincere people are easier to like.

And Caitlyn was such a person, her politeness was sincere, and Sejuani could feel it.

"You said my injuries have healed."

Sejuani suddenly startled, then looked down at her right shoulder, where there was only a dark bloodstain, but she felt no pain. But Sejuani clearly remembered that before she lost consciousness, her arm had been pierced by a some weird magic projectile, and at that time, her arm couldn't even move.

However, now Sejuani tried to lift her right shoulder, and apart from some slight fatigue, her injuries had indeed healed.

"You are really strong. Shimmer can heal external injuries well, but the side effect is that it consumes a lot of energy. Vi had half a vial after dinner and fell into a deep sleep. It looks like she won't be able to wake up for a day, and the same goes for your people," Caitlyn said, then ladled up the hot soup with a silver spoon. Sejuani "accidentally" noticed a piece of softened bread soaked in it.

"And you, you drank a whole vial of the potion, but you only slept for four hours."

Sejuani silently looked at Caitlyn.

"Don't worry, Sejuani, we are not enemies."

Caitlyn noticed Sejuani's vigilance and smiled. She brought the spoon to Sejuani's lips. "Me and Vi are from Piltover and Zaun. We are indeed the Southerners you mentioned, but we are not from Demacia, let alone Noxus. And we actually have grudges against Noxus."

"You don't have to worry that we will harm you and your people. Relax, have something to eat, rest well tonight, and I'll take you to see your people early tomorrow morning."

Caitlyn raised her hand, letting the spoon touch Sejuani's pale and dead-skinned lips.

"Then you will know that what I said is true."

Staring into Caitlyn's eyes, Sejuani fell silent for a moment, then opened her mouth and bit into the spoon, swallowing the warm soup. The soft bread melted into warm streams in her mouth and flowed into her stomach.

Sejuani stared at Caitlyn with her hawk-like eyes and said in a deep voice:

"Let's hope so."