The adventurers enter the ice caves unseen, using the shaman's private tunnel. It is cold, but their winter gear keeps them comfortable as long as they keep moving. Fog limits visibility, but thanks to information provided by the shaman they know the general layout and are able to move decisively. Mella sends her owl familiar to scout the areas that the shaman was not familiar with. In quick succession, the owl finds a trophy room filled with frozen giants (and some kobolds), a group of ice toads busily writing and carving, two rooms with trolls, and another trophy room with the frozen bodies of various monsters. Only the ice toads notice the owl, but it does not appear that they raise an alarm. The party chooses to head first to the room with the frozen giants, but a group of kobolds there stand in their way. This state of affairs does not last, as Brin fires three scorching rays, Tom looses two arrows, and Noram calls on divine fire...instantly striking a half-dozen kobolds dead. Mella charges into the room and shouts for the remaining two kobolds to surrender, which they do immediately, unwilling to face the same wrath that struck down their companions. When questioned, the kobolds provide what little they know - not much, but they do confirm the location where Maccath is held. Leaving the kobolds tied and tucked in a corner, the adventurers proceed carefully through the ice tunnels to find Maccath. An ice troll stands in their way, and Tom attempts to convince him to stand aside, but the troll is having none of it. He charges, and the party is forced to slay him. The battle alerts two more trolls, which charge in through the chamber entrance...but the party is prepared, as Noram heard them coming and Mella had prepared a sleep spell. One of the trolls falls unconscious and the party makes quick work of the other, then finishes off the sleeping monster. With the trolls out of the way, the adventurers move deeper into the cave and find a strangely constructed tent, cobbled together from whale bones and furs. Kobolds stand guard near the entrance, but are easily intimidated by the presence of heavily armed adventurers. Inside the tent, they find Maccath the Crimson! Her long imprisonment has left her depressed and pessimistic, but as Tom describes the events that lead the party to her, she grows more animated. Mention of the Arcane Brotherhood is particularly cheering, as she has had no news from her colleagues since she was captured by Arauthator. She has been forced by the dragon to help him decipher captured magical writings, which she wishes to take with her. But escape will not be easy, as the dragon will know when his treasure (which includes Maccath herself) is removed from his lair, and will certainly pursue. The adventurers must somehow deal with the dragon before she can escape!