The meeting broke up with a welcome efficiency. Lenya came to her feet and tucked her briefcase under her arm. Growing up in alpine climates she had plenty of cold weather clothing but all of that was a boat ride away. She supposed it would be possible to weave a spell that would protect her from the cold but how much simpler just to wear a coat? It was her experience that those with magical talent fell back on it too readily, rather than using the simple mundane solutions.
 
Accordingly she selected a fleece lined black jacket, a pair of slightly too large snow pants and some leather boots which looked to be sufficiently waterproof. Carefully tucking her hair back into the jacket she pulled up the hood and zipped it up. Opening her briefcase she took a pair of black leather gloves and pulled them over her hands. They weren’t as warm as wool but they would allow her to manipulate objects more easily and more safely. Thus equipped against the weather she headed over to where Max and Glory stood.
 
“Where is Mr Coa… never mind I don’t suppose it matters.” She looked around for the young man in the crowd as they pulled on clothes and gathered equipment. The assignments made a certain amount of sense to her. If there was a threat, it was likely to be at the center of the storm. That made a strong case for what Lenya thought of as ‘the muscle’ to be sent. On the other hand…
 
“It might just be that we will find this mage’s workshop,” she began quietly to her two companions. She assumed that is why the more academic team, or ‘the brains’ as she thought of them, was being sent to that location.
 
“But it is also possible that this mage, whoever they are, is directing this storm from there. That is how I would do it were I attempting a fimblewinter. I think we should be cautious.” Her eyes drifted up to Max’s hat. Fortunately she had years of mental discipline with which to hold back the laughter at the foxy headgear. She cleared her throat pre-emptively.
 
“I’ll grab another shovel, then are we ready to go?”