Jetting fire like tiny red, green, and pearly cuttlefish
Mouser and Fafhrd are wondering why they are still poor despite being in business for a long time. Fafhrd recalls them winning many oddments and gold, but after exchanging them, they still struggle with poverty. Fafhrd asks, "Where have they all flown to? The credit letters on parchment wings, the jewels jetting fire like tiny red, green, and pearly cuttlefish." The simile signifies that despite the efforts of Fafhrd and Mouser making their trade, their treasure disappears like jetting fire. The simile also shows the slowdown in the economy because of inflation and high production cost. According to Mouser, it is time they think about quitting the business.
Swaying like the head of a poisonous snake
The serpent-like fog from the Temple of Hate has mixed with the city's smog, causing havoc. One girl, a beggar, is not lucky because the fog-like serpent catches up with her and its primary goal is to kill her. The author compares the fog-like serpent to a poisonous snake when writing, "Its tip swayed like the head of a poisonous snake preparing to strike and then suddenly dipped toward her breast." The innocent girl does not make it out alive because the fog consumes her life.
Resting across shoulders like a comradely arm
The fog emitted to destroy humanity does not spare Fafhrd and his friend, Mouser. While seated in the street, they are attacked by the fog, and the attention shifts to Fafhrd, who is massively roughed up by the fog, and the author compares the fog resting on his shoulders to a comradely arm. The author writes, “By some trick of air currents, perhaps it seemed that a fog-strand rested across his shoulders like a comradely arm." The simile shows the courage and boldness depicted by Fafhrd when he removes his sword and dealt with the fog-like serpent. Fafhrd is helped by Mouser, who also uses his sword to attack the enemy fog.
