The bloody piece of ice is stark in contrast to the snowy landscape. Emet-Selch isn't bothered by it - he's seen worse injuries, but rare is the man who can maintain such composure as Li Min does.

Straightening cautiously, he shoots a glance at the ring of icicles that now pierce the area around them. "I brought two vials ready-made," he says. "I did not want to be carrying too many fragile items on the road, you understand. I have the means to make more when we are somewhere safe."

Far easier to carry pouches and packets of the raw ingredients than to cradle numerous glass vials.