"Well, Talia will know what we need one our journey.  I haven't ever been out of my forest before, and so she's helping me out." she said.  She then sighed in relief.  "I sure hope I don't have to meet him.  Because I naturally want to help out anyone that seems to need it, I hope everyone is happy with their way of life...  I don't really want to get between the leader and his idea of ruling..." she said.

"We just need safe passage to the Fortress of Ends. Unfortunatley, that means will have to talk with Alignak. I've spoken to the Ahnah you spoke of. She said the only way into the Fortress was blocked by a shield spell that only he can break due t it being bound to him," Ahnah said once she had finished stretching, "We may not like it, but he's our ownly way in, and our only way of getting the frist rune."

"In that case, we'd best wait out here for a few more minutes. He doesn't much like being interupted in the middle of his duties," Aipaloovik said, looking to Ahnah, "If we wait a few minutes, he'll be finished with all of his duties by the time we get there."

Goldenscale finished her meal and jumpedndown from the tree.  "Aww, we do have to meet him then..." she said, putting her ears down.  "I do hope we get the rune though."  She hoped that she didn't have to be near him for very long, and she hoped that no one found out who Ahnah was.  If so, she would protect her to the end, but she hoped it didn't come to that.  

"Then you're after the rune that is said to reside deep within the icy walls of the Fotress. Aligna had sealed the only entrance when it was decided the place was too dangerous for exploration on a normal basis," Aipaloovik said, his eyes going wide, "For what reason do need to risk your life for such a trivial artifact as that rune? Better yet, what is it used for? No one in the village knows what it's used for, let alone what energies it hides."

Goldenscale laughed.  "We're on a journey to bring together the 13 elementals to bring back Kyne." she said with a smile.  There was no reason to hide their journey, so she decided to say that much.  "Can't be more dangerous than a yeti.  Anyways, I'm sure we can make it back out again, right Talia." she said confidently.

"Given that the Fortress is a breeding ground for the yetis, it is much more dangerous than just one yeti. If you insist on going in there, I would want you to take my father with you. He's the only surviving member of the last party who entered the Fotress," Aipaloovik said, "He's also the last living person to have seen the rune itself. He would be able to take you through the safest path."

"Regardless of if he will join us or not, we will still need to go in there. That rune is only one of thriteen that we need. We have no options for substitues, so we have to get the real thing," Ahnah said, giving Goldenscale a nod, "We will be able to handle ourselves. Our only true enemy there will be the bone shilling cold. Yeti's may be strong and fast, but their magical defenses are weak. One well placed spell is all we'll need to take one down."

Goldenscale shook her head.  "I would rather he not come because he had survived once, and I'd like to keep it that way, but then again he does know where the rune is." she said before stretching.  She then smiled wide.  "Well then, I'll be able to have my magic practice with them then.  And it will be a blast." she said.  She then sat down on the ground with a smile.

"From what father says, the Fortress is more a laberynth than a fortress. Legend says it used to be the home of the spirits of ice, Icewarden. The Fortress was supoosed to be his home and a prison for souls who defaced him in their lives," Aipaloovik said, taking a deep breath, "We should probably be heading towars the village now. It will take us most of the day to get there."

"If you're afraid it will take us too long, just point us in the right direction. Between my training and her natural ability, we will be able to get there long before you do," Ahnah said, nodding to Goldenscale again, "While we do have time to spare, I would rather we spend as little time in the cold as possible."

Goldenscale frowned.  "Well, labyrinths aren't all that fun and forests aren't like them, so we might need a guide for that then, unless I can track the rune's magic." she said.  She then went to put her pack on her back.  Sse kept the blankets on since they were going someplace cold.  "She is right.  We can get there faster than you think it will take Talia and I.  I don't mind leaving now, but I don't mind stating either, so I am fine with either choice." she said with a nod.

"Oh, there'll be plenty of time left to head for the Fortress, just it'll be later than you might like for travel," Aipaloovik said, standing  up and stretching, the ice covering his body crunching around his joints, "It would be better for all of us if we stayed together though."

"True, from what Ahnah had told me, the village is rather warry of strangers. Having a familiar face lead us in will cause less of an uproar," Ahnah said, picking up her pack and moving to keep Goldenscale between her and Aipaloovik, "Shall we go now?"

Goldenscale stretched once more before looking to Aipaloovik.  "I am ready when you both are.  I'll try to keep moving with you when we hit the snow, but don't get worried if I fall behind a bit.  I'll be fine." she said with a smile.  She would probably do fine, though she might slowly freeze to death while she walked in the snow.  She didn't want them to worry about her though.

"It'll be easier for us to fly there as there are several chasms between here and there," Aipaloovik said, lifting into the air, "There's also a few yeti dens along the way that I would much rather avoid."

"Understandable given you are only know getting to be active again," Ahnah said holding back and waiting for Goldenscale to take off first, "We'll need to keep a watch on the clouds, but we should make it there before the snow comes."

Goldenscale nodded and took off, hoving in the air to wait for Ahnah.  "It would be best to avoid these yeti whenever possible to increase the energy we have for flight.  Watching the clouds would be a wise idea.  And once again, just to make sure you remember, if I fall behind, don't stop for me.  Just keep going, I'll arrive at the destination a few minutes later if I fall behind.  And if I am not there a few minutes after you arrive, don't come looking for me." she said with a sigh.  She was not going to jeopardize their misson just because she couldn't keep up with the others.  It was her problem to deal with, and she will not make others suffer for her own mistakes and problems.

"Dear, you know I wouldn't leave you behind, even if youfought me tooth an claw over it. We're in this together, through ice or fire," Ahnah said as they fallowed Aipaloovik's lead, "If I don't do it as a friend, then as an enforcer.While we are good friends, my job is to make sure you don't come to harm if there is something I can do to prevent it."

"Can't say I've seen anyone more loyal to their job before. Most people would just take her word and leave it at that," Aipaloovik said, slowing down to be at Goldenscale's side, "That's a good thing though. At least you know she'll be there for you when times get rough."

She frowned and looked down.  "I thank you for the support, but I will only burden us if you did so.  I am not a delicate flower that needs to be watched over, and I will not jeopardize the mission just because of a problem I have." she said with a sigh.  "It does touch my heart to know that you wouldn't leave me despite me wanting you to if I don't keep up.  But I don't want you both to freeze just to make sure I keep up." she said with a smile.  She then took off her grass crown and held it to her chest tightly to make sure she wouldn't loose it.