"My mothds require they have a weak enough mind to work with. SInce he so readily took on Alignak's opinions, he hleft himself very open to my magics. He has no hate or opinion about Ahnah now. He will still know who she is, but he will be rebuilding the opinion he has of her," the elder said, setting some frozen fruit near the fire, "He may be very confused when he wakes, but you only need to give him time."

Goldenscale nodded.  "That is the risks he took.  If he had found reasoning to back Alignak's opinions and call them his own, I could understand that, but he hadn't known Ahnah and her father does not set a good example for opinions." she said.  "I understand what it's like being confused when I wake up, so I will.  

"I just hope he forms a proper opinion, not taking from anyone elses'. Once Alignak paasses, Aipaloovik will be the next in line to take the leadership position. If he can't make his own opinions, our village wont survie another generation," he said, handing the thawed fruit to Ahnah and Goldenscale, "If only Ahnah's sister could be given the childhood she needs.Alignak is taking much more control over her upbringing than he did with Ahnah."

Goldenscale snorted.  "Then maybe I should try and change that.  No one should have to give up their childhood just to prepare for something their parents want." she said.  She took the fruit with a smile and took miniscule bites from it.

"The poor girl is too far gone to be saved. All she knows is how to be a shaman. She's been denied friend or interaction with anyone other than her mentor and Alignak. She might as well be brain dead in her current state," he sighed, "Most of us can't wait for Alignak to pass. Things have only gotten more strict since Ahnah first left. The next person to lead, regardless of who it is, will be much better for us. The only reason he still remains  leader is because it is tradition."

Goldenscale sighed.  "Why do you stick with old traditions?  It would be better for all of you to update a few things.  You don't have to get rid of all of the old traditions, just the ones that almost everyone disagrees with." she asked.  It confused her a bit as to why people would want to live in times like this and not want to change.

"We do plan to change a few things once Alignak is gone, but we must wait for him to pass or for him to pass the torch to Aipaloovik. We don't talk about the plans mucha roundhim though. We know he would make sure our plans never came to light," he said, looking over to his son, "Now, let's talk about the Fortress. If you want the rune deep in its core, you will need a guide or an extreme amount of luck. I will be able to guide you, but the path is a difficult one to climb, especially at my age."

Goldenscale nodded in understanding.  There was one council member back home that had done the same thing before he was voted out, and now things were good.  "Is there some sort of map we could use?  I wouldn't want you to hurt yourself trying to help us." she asked.  It was worth a try, though she doubted there was one.

"I wish a map could tell you how to get through the Fortress. There are specific puzzles and mazes within that must be solved to move forward. Once you get past the first, you must finish all challenges within to be able to return. The yetis within are a specific breed created by Icewarden to protect the halls. The only safe way through is to choose the right challenges to complete," he said shaking his head, "I can determine which challenges are the ones that need to be completed to avoid the yetis, but I must be there as the tells are only visible to a fully trained shaman."

Goldenscale's eyes widened.  "Puzzles?  Puzzles are fun, but it makes me wonder what puzzles the Fortress has.  What happens if you choose the wrong challenges but you are able to complete them?" she asked, curious.  "Well, we must prepare for that.  We wouldn't want you or anyone to get hurt on this mission." she said with a frown.

"If you complete the wrong challenge, you'll only end up going in circles. THere's no way of telling which challenge you've completed should you circle back around because the magic in the ice there resets everything as you pass through to the next room," he said, "Imagine finishing a puzzle and then leaving the room, but when you come back the puzzle was in the same condition it started in before you started it. Too many people have starved to death in the Fotress because they became trapped by the puzzles. Only a handfull of people have ever made it to the core without the help of a shaman. One was a puma, but he chose to live within the core room."

Goldenscale sighed.  "Well that's no fun.  Always having to go around in circles because you don't know what puzzle not to do..." she said.  "Well, I do hope we can get through the Fortress without having to go in circles..." she said with a frown.

"If I go with you, I can tell you wich puzzles are the right one. I used to be the shaman before Ahnah's sister finished her training a few days back," he said, "Given the basis of you jouney, the puma is likely the champion of ice if he's still alive."

With a groan, Aipaloovik stirred awake. Looking around, he seemed to still be dazed and confused from the night before. Along his right side were two small patched of dried blood from being struck the night before.

Goldenscale nodded.  "Then we would have found the first elemental and his champion."  She then moved her head when she heard Aipaloovik groan.  Seeing the patches of dried blood, she walked over to him and placed her wing on the cuts.  With a soft golden glow, the cuts soon healed and sshe gave him a smile before she walked back over to Ahnah.

"After everything I said, you're still willing to help me," Aipaloovik asked, stepping over to the fire, staying on the opposite side as Goldenscale and Ahnah, "Why would you help me after the pain I caused?"

"She helped you because she knows you can be a good person. You were injured, and you deserve a second chance," Ahnah said, looking up, "I will give you a second chance myself, but this will be your last chance. Make youself the way you believe is right, not how someone else thinks."