The messenger ran through the elegantly carved hallways of the mountain fortress, depicting the great labors of the people and their Ancestors. Striking figures are hewn from such skill that Stone seemed to turn to flesh under the flame of the simple lamps.

But he ignored them for now, breezing past such marvels and towards the central chambers of his master. His robes were a bright yellow and patterned with white thunderbolts and blue clouds, his uniform of the station as a Messenger of the Thunder And Whisper Clan, and today, if he could, he would choose to whisper his grave news, instead of shout it.

He paused a moment, making himself presentable and smoothing out his robes and coat before entering. The Hall was carved of gray and white streaked stone, giving it the appearance of the night sky, Gathered around a central fire pit were 18 great thrones, each carved of quartz, bearing a light sandy brown color and finely etched in the style of each Chief Clan, and sitting upon the thrones, were the Elder Clansmen themselves, Rulers of the Mountain and its people and the great sons or daughters of the Great 18, and the Origin Tribe that still lived here. And now this messenger, Hadley, would be delivering a message that would decide the fate of one of these Houses.

Hadley began with a shaky traditional greeting. "Favor of the Ancestors, Honored Council. Hadley of House Thunder and Whispers bears news to you." He bowed low and rose again.

"Pray do tell what news has the Wind brought, Thunder or a Whisper?" Council Cheif Zelfrick asked, stroking his wild black mane of a beard, his red cloak decorated in the shape of black hammers, befitting of his station as head of Clan Iron strike, Home of the blacksmiths. The council leaned forward in keen interest as to what the messengers' answer would be.

Hadley took a breath and braced himself for what he was about to be said.

"Thunder, Honored Council. This Day, I bring news of Thunder."

The Council was in an uproar, the Heads of the Houses immediately clamoring in their loudest voices as to the news. The sound was like Thunder indeed.

"Pray for Silence!" came a voice. An old man spoke loudly, betraying his vibrant spirit trapped in a fragile frame. "Messanger, What Brings the Thunder this day to Paradise?"

Hadley could feel the man's coal-black eye's boring into him, he wore a pink robe, Rosey in color with blue trim, patterned after the scales of a fish. This man was the one Hadley feared most, because of the Message he bore. He would have to address a Clan Head directly, a great sign of impertinence.

"The Thunder calls your Name Elder Salmon. The Flame of Marriage is dowsed, a Cold wind has stolen the Hearth Flame and many are now searching in darkness." He bowed again and prayed he hadn't offended the great man called Elder Salmon.

The man's face became a bitter and twisted thing, full of ugly anger that crossed his face.

"Who would dare-Who Would DARE!!" he raged. Considering the idea of such an offense to be worth a murder of an entire House. Hadley flinched, believing the honorable Elder was about to slay him with his voice alone. Elder Salom stabbed a finger at the messenger and screamed aloud.

"Messanger, It be Thunder I send, and its name shall be Smoldering Coal, Take my fury to him. And bear this message." the old man rose from his position, picking up the cane next to his seat.

Except it only looked like a cane, from where Hadley had entered, he'd thought the smooth black wood handle next to the old man's throne had only been a cane.

When in fact, it had been a grip of a wicked blade, long and curved like a river's oxbow or writhing viper, free of its sheath the steel sang like a nightingale and flashed like fast waters as it pierced the air.

"Tell Him, I will join the search. And Woe to the villain that has rued upon this day. For they shall face both River and Fire for this offense. Tell Him that. Give him my Thunder!" He swung his blade through the air once more. turning he addressed the Council, While Hadley excused himself to deliver the message he'd been given. He was glad to leave that dreaded chamber.

Elder Salmon watched the boy go. He cared not, His mind was ablaze in furious anger. His aged frame trembled from it as it ran like a bloody river through his mind.

The Council remained silent for a moment before Zelfrick rose to answer him. "Hunt Well, Elder Salmon, Hunt them Well." a cruel smile spread crossed his face as the two men locked eyes.

Elder Salmon met the gaze of his peer. He could see the edges of the man's face, sharp and pointed like chipped stone and broad like a mountainside. And Zelfrick could see into the rumpled and flat face of the furious fish, the eyes bulging red in fumigation.

Zelfrick gave a bow and the Salmon turned, seemingly dismissive of the gesture, But Salmon understood the gesture for what it was.

When the Time came, The Salmon would have the Hammer with him, and not a Devil alive could save the poor creature who cast such evil among them. Not with Three Houses bearing down on them from Paradise itself, ready to carry Hell into the Valley below.

"Not a Hunt Chief Zelfrick, It will be Justice, or Vengeance if none can be found."

Tolan saddled the goats to the sled and checked the supplies once more. He checked Vir's sled as well. Satisfied, they would leave early for Serpents Bend. He glanced at the sky and checked the course of the Morning Star, he'd been up most of the night taking readings of the night sky, the Heavens were smiling on them for once.

Things would soon be back to normal. Life would go on and their guest would remain a strange mystery to pass on to his eventual children and grandbabies.

A Warm wind was breaking, unnatural for this time, but a welcome surprise. It would lend them a good time when traveling the winter lands. The snow was getting thicker each day.

He tightened one last strap before settling in for their journey. Vir finished heading a stray goat into its harness, Hissing at the disobedient beast as he put it in line.

"Ready?" Tolan called, Vir gave a nod in confirmation. Tolan looked to the Lady sitting at the front of his sled and sighed. She had looked confused before, closer to abject terror when he'd made tried to tell her they were leaving. Once he'd managed to convey his message, through simple numbers.

He couldn't see it but he felt a slight change in her demeanor, Like feeling a board creak under the strain of a heavy foot. She suddenly became this fragile and scared thing, putting on a brave face to challenge the Winter around them.

It was strange, he hadn't sensed any fearfulness from her before, perhaps it was all this strange weather they were having. Maybe he was lost in the same fantasy he'd accused Vir of having. He scoffed inside, Ridiculous, he already had his eyes elsewhere. He thought himself a good man, not prone to such fancy.

He shook himself and brought himself back to the snowy road ahead. Vir was waiting at the gate for him. He sighed, looked to his careful cargo, and tried to give a reassuring smile she cracked the reigns and shouted "KEYAHH! KEYAhh! Run along, Run along!" as the rope drew taut and the sled leaped forwards.

They set out for Serpents Bend in the South. Towards the Blessed and unwittingly into Danger.

While thunder rumbled in the distance, Vir thought it like the sound of horns, signaling a distant war.