We rose early the next morning, a quick breakfast compelled us to get moving. Our Captain, Ebold met up with Dagramir and some other fellow who seemed to be a leader in these ruins. Dagramir joined us now, an extra blade at the ready... Our party totalled six now.
Ebold held a meeting in a large and worn building nice and early, I believe he obtained a map of the lands of Forochel and pinpointed where exactly these Wolf-men, the Gauredain could be found and where our travels may take us.
The others details of the meeting I do not know. But we were eager to get a move on. The ruins of Evendim are fair and majestic, aye... But they are but relics of times passed, the monuments of Man weather and age... But the mountains.
The mountains last through all the ages.
Tall and majestic they were, standing high above anything else, taller than the clouds even. As we walked down the cobble path from Ost Forward and into the valleys North, I looked up in wonder. I had never been this far from home, Arindiis, who had traveled through many lands both fair and fell, stopped to admire the view also. But our pause was only brief. Soon enough we were back on our charge. Under tree and over hill and valley did we trek while the sun was in the sky until we were at the foot of the steep incline to the mountains that bordered Evendim from Forochel. It was dusk and the last rays of sun lingered in the sky foreboding a cold night indeed.
As we gradually made our way up the icy and rocky mountain path, the grass gradually grew paler and eventually gave way to sheets of white snow on the ground, the mountains around us rose dramatically as we passed through and veered East. We finally got to the top with thinned breath as the cloudy mist opened up to reveal a wintery wonderland of tall snow covered firs and pines and rocky mounds of snow and ice. A forest known as Taur Orthon I believe, surrounding a small cold lake with fish a'plentiful. Nestled deep within this forest was a trading outpost called Kauppa Kohta by the locals. It was there we were greeted and granted spare places to rest for the night.
The accommodation granted by the Lossoth was not one of luxury but that mattered little, the fur blankets and rugs were warm and these tents made of furs and hides were warm. Arindiis and I retreated to a far off corner of the settlement to rest and take shelter from the howling winds and the falling snow.
Neither of us got much sleep I do not think, for late in the night we gazed up at the dazzling lights and whimsical colours that enlightened the clear night sky. This was what she was going on about all this time, as she pointed up to the sky excitedly I could only look on from our perfect vantage point and be mesmirised by the view we were treated to. The still lake down the mountain reflected the beautiful Northern lights, the mountains that surrounded Taur Orthon were tall and majestic. Even now, the flickering flames of the campfires below could be seen steadily flickering away... As did ours behind us. The warm and glowing campfire we drew near for a while before eventually retreating to our tent for a well deserved rest.
Even as we woke in the early hours of the morning the dark sky was still illuminated with feint lights. Arindiis wished to explore the forest around the lake... And so we did, giving ourselves some much needed downtime admist our travel.
As I rode atop Arin's bear form, spear at the ready incase we had the misfortune to come across any of those Gauredain this early on, I couldn't help but think feel that we were being paid for a large hiking trip. Despite the cold winds and hardy people who endured them, it was easy to forget we were on an important contract. Arindiis seemed most at ease in her bear form, a great relief it was to allow her some freedom to do so! I understand that the others do not quite feel safe with a large bear wandering beside me as we traveled. I hope they can tolerate this... Arindiis has never hurt anyone before... And unlike Dalfura, she has never hurt me.
I will not worry about that though. What matters now is that we ensure that this contract is successful and the fact that we enjoy ourselves whilst doing it is but a bonus.
We are preparing now to venture forth into the icy crevasse known as Jä-kuru. A great ice cave that allows for swift travel from the South of Forochel to the North. The going will only get more tough and cold from here, I know this...
...And for what it's worth, I will be ready for whatever lies ahead!
