"If only--!" Despite their dire circumstances, Inessa allows herself a small, grim smile, relieved to hear Ciri's voice even as she doesn't dare more than the briefest of glances. Likewise, Thrandil's words are noted though she won't dare distract either of them. Instead, the young Warden gestures for the other guard to help his companion with the mechanism. As more Freemen charge across the threshold, they indeed become encased in ice. To ensure they'll remain that way a little longer, Inessa conjures a wall of ice to sprout around them, effectively blocking the gap until something can break past the thick barrier. Then it's time to enchant her allies' weapons with frost, giving them a slight advantage.

Garahel, meanwhile, spots more enemy forces heading in their direction from elsewhere and lets out a warning bark before crouching and bounding over to leap upon the nearest one. Once again, the war hound proves his effectiveness; the Freeman falls to the ground with a sickening crunch and doesn't move when the mabari lifts his weight -and jaws- off him. Just like that, he's off to the next.