((It's fine, if there's anything I have, it's patience. Life being as it is, I don't expect anyone to be on at all times. If anything, your silence has allowed me to focus more on what needs my attention more. The holidays have been rought.))

"That's simple, we just need to maintain our own barrier . With two of us, it shouldn't be that hard since the stress will be split amongst us rather than focused on one. One of us can focus on blocking the weather while the other can  focus on maintaining a steady flow of energy to counter the field's," Deniigi said, working up his energies to project a barrier, "Lucky for us, the fiel will weaken as it is released."

"Do not worry about me just yet. It may have been years since I last traveled these lands, but I was born here. If I can't sneak around it, I can take it down," Ahnah said, " you just worry about getting that barrier down. Midnight should be able to help, whatever the plan is."

"Wouldn't it be a good idea to geet a barrier up as soon as pssible," Midnight asked, the first signs of ice forming on the tips of her wings, "The sooner we're out of the weather, the better right?"

(I'm sorry they have been rough.  I'm all ears if you want to rant.  I'll certainly try to be on if you want to.)

Goldenscale shook her body vigorously when she saw ice forming on her feather tips.  It would be quite difficult for her to fly if they were covered in ice.  Afterwards, Goldenscale used her magic to help Deniigi to create and maintain the barrier, seeing that she had quite a bit of energy she could use, well for now.  "That would probably be a wise idea." she answered to Midnight.  That was the very reason why I asked you to accompany me in the first place, though other reasons also played in. she purred to Ahnah as she spoke to her.  Just be careful.

((While it wouldn't be a rant, having someone to talk to would be nice. I just don't know where to start really.))

"A bit far, but  we can make due. We can afford a little distance given Alignak was born in these lands," Deniigi said, starting to add his energy to the barrier to expand it, "No need in leeting either of you freeze just for a few more steps."

"Be careful yourself dear, I don't want to find you or Midnight half frozen when I get there," Ahnah replied,purring as well, "I shouldn't be long. The barrier should be down just in time for me to get there."

"Ok, last chance to turn back.Once this barrier is down, you will have two days to get in and get out," Alignak said, preparing the release, "That is the longest I can keep the barrier open without breaking it."

(Alright, I shall try my best to make sure you have someone to talk to then.)

Goldenscale chuckled.  "Well, if it comes to freezing, I can use my magic to heat the air around us." she said, helping Deniigi to expand the barrier.  I'll be careful, don't worry.  I'll help Midnight out as well to keep her from freezing.  She answered back.  "We'll all be sure to be at the doors by the time the two days are up." she told Alignak.  She knew it would be difficult searching for the runic stone, but they had little time to do it considering that Ahnah's mother was dying, bith Midnight and herself might freeze to death for sure if they stay in the cold for too long, and they needed to make it out alive.  But she had hope, and she clung to it dearly, wanting it to be true.

((Thank you. Like I said though, I just don't know where to start. There's just no single point to pick it apart from.))

"A little magic will go a long way out here. These lands like to return a lot of the energy used in spells. This has led severaal adventurers to thiking they're invincible though, and ultimately to their deaths," Deniigi said, looking back to see the barrier starting to open.

"I would hope so. Deniigi is risking his life for you and your friend here. I would hate to have to leave my brother to die at the murcy of the Icewarden," Alignak said. Returning his focus to the barrier, her poured what he could into oopening it.

(Okay.  I'll be open though when you need it.)

"Really?  That's nice of the environment." she said with a purr.  "I is a bit upsetting though that it causes others to think that they are invincible...  But it is their fault.  They should know better." she said with a shrug.  She then turned to Alignak as he spoke.  "I will do what I can to protect him and make sure he returns.  I know what he is risking, and I will do what I can to help keep everyone safe." she answered with a nod of her head.

"It's what happens when the land is properly taken care of by all who live within it. We take no more than we need, and we always give back.The spirits of the land protect us, and we protect them," Deniigi said, offering a wing for Midnight to warm up under, "To think, at one point, the whole world was like that."

Stepping under Deniigi's wing, Midnight folder her wings around herself. "That makes me wonder what caused people to stop caring about the lands. Tht sounds like something that would be beneficiaal to everyone," she said, focusing her breath over her rose to thaw it out.

"The Shade happened.  That is what caused everyone to change," Alignak said, starting to use his claws to force the field open faster, "If you two are who your auras put you to be, then you will be the ones to fix this."

"There were are, I thought I might have took a wrong turn somewhere," Ahnah said as shearrived, adding her efforts to Deniigi's barrier, "It's good to see you all safe."

Gldenscale smiled warmly.  "I'm glad that there are other beings that take care of the land.  It would be nice if everyone did, but I know it is impossible.  It is heartwarming though, to hear that the environment and its inhabitants can work together in such peace." she said.  She then turned to Midnight.  "That is one part of the equation, though I feel there are other parts that add to it..." she said, beginning to frown.  She then smiled again at what Alignak said.  "We certainly are going to try to be the ones that will get rid of the Shade." she said.  She then beamed when she heard Ahnah's voice.  "You did make it!  It's good seeing you safe as well." she said with a purr.

Turning around to see Ahnah, Alignak let out a snort. "So, the failure is still alive it seems. You're lucky I need to focus my strength to keep this field open," he said, looking over Ahnah, "Whatever it is you're here to prove, leave it be. I do not have time to see you fail again."

"I'm not here for you father, I could care less if you think I'm a failure. I'm am doing this for Goldenscale and mother, at least they respect who I am," Ahnah replied, taking a seat beside Goldenscale, "We are here to serve the will of nature. If you wish to stop us, I wish you luck in trying to survive the wrath that will come upon you and the village."

Goldenscale's eyes seemed to darken when Alignak began to speak badly of Ahnah.  She hated seeing others act as if they were of more value than others.  "I have a low tolerance for those who speak badly against those I care about.  And I'd like it to be known that I don't take kindly to those who harm my friends and family, whether it be emotionally or physically.  Now, if you please, I would like to continue with trying to open the barrier so that we can get the rune as fast as we can." she said, her voice calm and seemingly kind, though her eyes seemed to show a bit of hostility and irritation towards the village leader.  "Ahnah is correct about that wrath.  Everyone here was chosen for this mission, and any tampering will result in an undesirable consequence." she added.  Alignak had too much pride for her liking, and she tryed to keep a kind tone as she mentioned her thoughts to him.  She just wished she could be more demanding and rude and completely tell him her thoughta, but that wouldn't be very helpful on their side.

"Whatever your mission is, I can only wish you good fortune. With your choices, you will need it," Alignak said, finishing the process of opening the field, "Just remember, you have two days, no more. As much as I hate to see this failure succeed, I must accept her bac should she make it back alive. This spell i have used to open the field will lock me here until the two days have passed."

"I will keep that in mind. Just remember, like it or not, I will be part of the village again should I return alive," Ahnah said, standing up and starting towards the path. "Come Goldenscale, we must not waist any time. As much as I hate my father, I will not leave anyone to the claws of nature for any longer than I need to," she said, looking back, "No one deserves to freeze to death."

Giving a nod, Deniigi bound his barrier to a small idol that he placed at Alignak's feet. "There, that should at least last you till the two days are us. I want it to be know that Ahnah is not a failure. You expected too much from her back then, but she has made a respectable life for herself since," he said before starting to fallow Ahnah, Midnight still under his wing, "The sooner you realize this, the sooner you can accept her back into your heart."

Goldenscale growled when Alignak called Ahnah a failure and was about to retort when Ahnah called her to join her as they left.  She gave yet another shudder, freeing her wings once more of their ice formations.  She didn't feel the cold on them, but she felt their weight and didn't want anything dragging them down or damaging the feathers.  "Thanks again for helping us, Alignak." she said to him, though she didn't look back at him.  She was focusing more on the path in front of her, and not trying to freeze her paws off.  It was cold, but she could deal with it.  Though she hated being cold, they had a mission and she couldn't let her dislike get in the way.

Slowing down for Goldenscale to catch up, Ahnahoffered a wing for protection."Do not waste your time getting angry at him, it will only serve to make him worse. We don't have time to deal with him right now anyways," she said, flufing out her fur to share her warmth, "Doing this will be enough to get back at him for me. When we returne, he will have no choice but to allow me back. I will enjoy his frustration, but he will need to wait."

Goldenscale put herself close to Ahnah, enjoying the warmth she provided.  "Thanks..." she said with a smile.  She then frowned though.  "But it irritates me how he dares to speak so terribly of you around his own people.  His arrogance and pride makes me angry.  He shows it off like it's some great thing, but he has been blinded by it." she said, snorting at the end.  She soon sighed.  "You are right though.  Anger and hatred take energy, and it is best to save what we have for the journey ahead." she said.  

"Can't say I didn't warn you about that though.At least I know he will get what's coming to him though. There will be two things us returning will prove. One, that I'm am not a failure and deserve to be part of the clan. And two, that he is not fit to be leader. A leader who banishes someone undeserving shal be removed from their position," Ahnah said, geting a nod from Deniigi, "By law of the clan, he will be forced to pass his duties to Deniigi. While an unintended sideaffect, it will be fore the best."