"Just remember that we have blankets should you start feeling cold. The land we're heading to is less forgiving than the worst murderer. You need to be very aware of your onw bodily conditions. Hunger and heat will be what you should focus on most," Ahnah said, taking out a bl=ook to read.

"Planning is a smart move. The dragon clans out in the north are much less inviting than the ones around here. Plan your path, and try to avoid them as much as you can. Their ice magic will freeze even the hardiest of lumberjaks," the man said, looking back, "No one really knows why they're so hostile to us humans. Some suspect they're holding onto old traditions thousands of years old."

Goldenscale nodded at the information.  "I'll keep all that in mind as much as possible.  There is no point in freezing ourselves, so we need to keep our body heat in check.  Planning is good too so we know where we are at all times and we don't run into any dagers we could have avoided." she said.

"True be that bit. Better to plan and be ready for something that never happens than to be caught off guard," the man said, looking back to the road, "We ourselves wont be going too far north, but it'll be closer to your destination."

"It'll save us a lot of time too," Ahnah said, looking up from her book, "Time and energy are not on our side so we need to save as much of both as possible."

"Those are words of wisdom." she said with a smile.  She then turned to Ahnah.  "I do hope we will have enough energy for our trip...  We have to have faith and hope that we will and keep moving forward." she said with a nod.

"Moving forward isn't necessarily stright forward. We may have to come back here some day during the jouney. While I hope we never have to return, we must be ready should we need to," Ahnah said, setting her book down and pulling out some dried fruit, "Once we leave the north lands, we'll need to make sure we have what we need to survive the trip again."

Goldenscale pondered what Ahnah said for a moment.  "That is true.  Makes me wonder though why we would need to come back.  But if it is needed, then we will come back.  I just hope we will be prepared if we have to come back." she said.

"Should we need t come back, we'll know exactly what we need to survive. We're more than likely overprepared right now, but better to be overprepared than unprepared," Ahnah said, passing some ofthe fruit over to Goldenscale, "It's been a long time since I was last out here.I don't even know if I can handle the cold anymore."

"I agree.  If we are overprepared, then we can be ready if something stops us from continuing." she said, taking some of the food with a nod of her head.  She then began to take small bites.  "I probably won't be able to handle the cold, but I will surely try.  You will do just fine, Ahnah." she said with a smile.  "As you said before, we have the blankets if we do get cold."

"I know I'll be able to stand the climate, but that wasn't the cold I was thinking of. The coldest hearts can be the hardest to approach," Ahnah said, looking down and making herself as small as possible, "Regardless of the trials we will face getting there, I don't know if I'll ever be prepared to face them again."

Goldenscale frowned and hugged Ahnah.  "No matter what happens, I'll always be here for you.  I will never leave you, and I promise you that.  We will face everything together, unless you wish to do something alone.  No one should have to face something like that alone..." she said quietly.

"I may have to face them alone, whether I want to or not. They made it clear I wasn't supposed to return. I've only ever known of one person who tried to return, and he was met with deadly force," Ahnah said, leaning into Goldenscale, "You would be the only one who could stand without being attacked instantly given who you are. I don't know how they'll react to me traveling with you."

She put her head on Ahnah's.  "If they dare to harm you, I will make sure they know not to do it again.  No matter what traditions they have, I will not allow my family to be harmed in any way, shape, or form.: she said.  She then sighed.  "But if it comes to it, I will be willing to kill to protect you.  I hope I wil never have to do that, but if they try, it will be done." she said.

"Thank you, that means a lot. To have that kind of support is an honor, regardless of who it's from. I hope it doesn 't come to violence," Ahnah smiled, leaning into Goldenscale mmore, "Violence only solves so much, and very little of what is important."

"That is true, though sadly there are a few people that need to see the consequences of fighting in order to finally believe the truth.  If anything, I will try to be diplomatic with them, and if they resort to something more bitter, then I'll see how far I need to go.  I will try to refrain from killing anyone, though I cannot guarantee that will happen.  My biggest hope is that no harm will come to you from visiting them.  You are a wonderful, amazing being and they are blind not to see that, Ahnah." she said with a smile.

"They'll compromise with you, but they will not be making it easy to get what you want. More than likely, I will have to remain outside the gates in the cold," Ahnah said, giving a nod, "It would be easier if my father wasn't there, but I have no idea how time has treated him. Given how things have gone so far, he'll still be there."

"If you two ladies are done talking, we're almost at our destination. The town we're stopping doesn't have an inn or hotel so you'll need to find a place to stay elsewhere," the man said, looking back to Goldenscale and Ahnah, "You may want to be getting those blankets out soon as well,the climate will start to turn cold soon as well."