The next leg of our journey was upon us now. We gathered just outside the trading post in which Arindiis and I spent the night gazing up into the whimsically enlightened skies, we shared what little warmth we could clutch onto. Things were only going to get colder from here. She is strong however and is used to the harsh bitter colds, I must have faith that I too am strong enough to endure the frosts.
We shared a humble but fulfilling breakfast of smoked fish that we brought with us, Arindiis even caught some fresh fish for her breakfast... I believe we will preserve the rest of the bounty which we caught for the colder and less forgiving days that lie ahead.
After setting the last of our equipment and preserves we were to carry with us on the sleds, we got going at last. We had with us two sleds worth of equipment. I opted to pull one, it was tricky going at first but when we journeyed through the pass into the crevasse beyond I had got the hang of it fairly well. Sleds are a wonderful thing, no?
It wasn't long before I noticed that no longer were we walking on fresh snow, but rather a deadly mix of ice and half melted wet sludge, luckily this didn't last long and we found ourselves walking on more solid ground. It was here that we delved into what the locals called the Jä Kuru, the Canyon of Ice.
We walked between two great sheets of solid ice, they rose like large and sturdy walls protecting us from the wind and snow from above, we rested briefly at the entrance to the large ice cave that I had been anticipating throughout the morning journey. But we were eager to get going nevertheless.
We were free from the snow for the rest of the day, but certainly not the cold. Feeling the bitter wind constantly harass what little skin I had bare to the elements, I wrapped my scarf and pulled my hood tighter over my face to combat this.
We stopped at a fork in the paths. Great naturally formed tunnels in the wide and vast ice cave soon became a maze for us, before we ran ahead and got ourselves lost we took some time to think and plan ahead. Everything grew quiet save for the whistling wind that blew through the caves and the occasional dripping of cold water from the icy roof above... Then footsteps...
Heavy footsteps.
We froze, hearing out into the distance heavy and swift footsteps echo from the wide cavern way to our right... We drew our weapons as the eerie howls of our foes rung out.
I swiftly stowed the sleds onto a pile of snow as so they didn't slide off in the incoming scuffle... I turned around, spear and shield at the ready and then I saw them...
Three large men ran at us in varying height, a small and meek looking creature, a more intimidating sized wolf man and the last, who ran with a wolf companion, charged at me directly.
They all ran with hunched backs, their arms elongated and strong, it was as though they used them for front legs, all wielding great spears of bone, they howled and grunted as they charged us.
Ebold, despite his sure stance and the great sword he bore, slipped on the ice, I jumped in front of my Captain to defend and thus they were upon us.
The fighting was intense though the numbers a mere skirmish, the wolf with vicious teeth and sharp claws pounced at me, I was quick to the defence and managed to bash it out of the way, then I found myself facing a monstrous sized wolf man, it loomed over me, domineering and grim, the fighting intensified as the other two entered the fray. The sounds of grunts, roars and spears chipping at ice and shield filled my ears like a discording and awry music. Fialed's arrows sung sharply from her bow and the thud of one grazing the arm of my attacker gave me just the tempo and time I needed to prevent me from becoming a Guaredain skewer. An opportunity I rewarded with a sure stab to the beast's leg and chest.
The great beastly Gauredain roared at me, and to that I concerted a haggard shout back, it was challenging me and I felt challenged, wouldn't you if a great nine foot monster of a man with wolf clothing came at you with a spear twice who's tip was about half your size? Heh...
During the fight I found myself cut off from the others, Ebold struggling to right himself from the icy trap that became the ground around him, as spears and javelins chipped and sundered the ice, it became all the more slippery. We were fighting on ice!
I stood to his defence though it was not long until I was caught again by the wolf's cunning. It managed to slunk around to my side and pounce at me. Whether it was the reaction of an adrenaline filled warden or just plain luck I do not know, but I managed to manoeuvrer myself to meet the Wolf head on, with a sure thrust of my spear into its mouth I slaughtered the beast, knocking its head deep onto the spear tip with my shield, I ensured that the cunning blighter would not harass my friends as they dealt with their assailants.
What happened to the others I do not know... I had... My own issues to deal with, what I utterly failed to keep within a spear's distance from me was my rather enraged and bleeding target, he knocked me over with a solid punch to the gut and pinned me down with a forceful grip... Soon I found myself wrestling for my life in the snow and ice, covered in blood and feral frothy spit from the Gauredain's mouth... My spear rolled from my hand as its nails or claws dug into my arm... Were they nails or claws? Was this thing even of the Edain? Was it human?
I only had to look into its grey and wild eyes and feel its hot haggard breath on my face to know this thing was about to kill me unless I acted, with the one hand I had free, I pulled my spare dagger from the sheath on my belt and stabbed at its chest, blood seeped through the deep wound and further stained my robes. It was then, when the very man who I jumped to the defence of, repaid the favour, Reaper, his fierce sword, swung down and cleaved the head of the fierce Gauredain. I was showered in blood at this point... I looked on hazy eyed at the others fighting fiercely, Dagramir, who thought like a swift viper, striking without remorse, Fialed, who's accuracy and skill in the bow was unmatched among our company, Ealstan, who was just dusting himself off after beating up the meek looking runt of a Wolfman. The fight was won... Our first encounter with the Gauredain... Our foes in these lands.
I'd say it went pretty well.
I had best get used to the smell of death, for it now lingers on my clothes, and it will be many leagues yet until I have any opportunity to wash them, I suppose there's more important things to worry about than how I smell. As long as these clothes remain warm... That is what's important.
