The Battle of Mer'dith will prove to be a substantial victory for the Empire of clans in their war with the Frostland Kingdoms. A thousand two hundred soldiers were trapped in a small fort of the river, burdened by a savage enemy who would have cruelly weathered them down to their last man. It was only the arrival of a few knights, and their mercenaries of the Nautilus Omega did Fate favor them. They were celebrated, as the rest of their stay was inside the walls, with the soldiers who survived the gruesome bout. They brought out the best of wine and food, but unfortunately, they could not stay to participate in the festivities. Despite Hagroth pleading the participation, they were gathering horses and supplies to be on their way northeast. There, they will truly meet the battle they waited for.

"Please, I wish to be your host for these nights," Hagroth said to them. They were atop their horses, Lyse petting Mist on his neck. Most of everyone was ready to cross the bridge still in place from the crossing. Hopefully, a permanent one will be installed shortly. "While I am the sole commander of this post, I should thank you in some way for what you have done here, knights."

"There is no need for reward," Lyse told him. This was actually the first time he has uttered a word since they left the battlefield. Prior, Edlund wasn't able to get a word out of him. He was deathly quiet after what happened. But now, he seemed to be back to his composed and confident self. He preferred this disguise.

"Well, how about we send you on the right path?" he gestured across the river. The scouts don't know much beyond those frozen hills, but if you keep close to the river and follow a road called the Kjorn pass. There hasn't been that much activity coming through there; your men will find the least resistance on whatever this expedition is."

"It is I who thank you now," Lyse said, then nodded to Moxie and the others. "Let's get going. We want to make our gains before nightfall."

"Yeah," Moxie said. Her arm was still in a sling, but at least she could feel the pain. Makyra promised to heal it more once she has the reserves. "Keep your eyes peeled, men."

He nodded back and together began to ride to cross the bridge. The ice that covered the river had yet melted, but they didn't take the chance, funneling everyone across the bridge to ride along the road. The air was crisp this morn, and all bundled themselves in their coats and clothes to keep from the snow that pounded them. It was said that the winter became harsher for each Frostlander that died. If a hyperborean died, then a winter storm could be approaching. A superstition, retribution for their blood being shed, it was often said to be. The last time Lyse remembered such a storm was when he was young, possibly soon after his memories had been replaced and altered. The thought was still a bit troubling. But he does remember a particularly bad winter. The harvest had been well, though they yet had many other hands on the farm. They were practically trapped inside their homes, Wilbur or Celia taking the effort to get water from a well or care for the animals in the barn. He remembers that the Forest of Silence never did lose its leaves. It wasn't weird to him; he never knew of trees that ever lost their leaves. But travelers from distant lands would come to observe this supposed phenomenon. He was reminded of this looking at the dead trees around them. The white and grey streaked barks were covered in a layer of frost. Their branches naked and rattling against the wind. He was glad to of taken off his armor to be cleaned instead of wearing through this harsh beating.

The trail they followed was well enough worn, though the snow piling onto it sometimes obscured it, forcing them to keep a close eye out. Moxie guided them, using the various maps to guide them onward. Though she often took wrong turns, and Makyra had to point them in the right direction on occasion. Makyra seemed most in her element, in fact. She didn't even wear that much clothing, leaving her arms bare to the elements while everyone else was buried in various attire. Thirian knights always seemed so acclimated to the weather; no doubt she had been trained further to cope with such things. She was a hunter, after all.

"You seem perfectly fine don't you," Edlund commented as he pulled on an extra set of gloves from his kit, shivering as a sudden breeze buffeted his hood. "Damn you Thirians, warm-blooded through and through."

"Don't be such a child," she told him. "This is merely discipline and focus. Even you can do the same. One would think knights to be able to endure such trivial challenges."

"To be fair," Lyse said. "We've been traveling for hours, and not once have you seem bothered. You must have indeed trained a lot for this, haven't you?"

She cocked her head to the side and looked towards the two of them. "Listen for a moment. Tell me what you hear."

They both looked at each other, a bit confused, for a moment before complying, closing their eyes and letting the buffeting winds carry away their surroundings. They could hear the march of feet and hooves through the fresh snow, the branches that slid against one another like violins playing a haunting sound. There was a bit of chatter, but it was against as everyone kept to themselves against the winter that hailed them.

They relayed all of this to her, and she nodded. "There's a bear 30 feet to our right."

Lyse's eyes burst open, and he immediately zipped his eyes in that direction. Edlund followed suit. And sure enough, a white bear caught in these awful conditions looked upon them as their past, on the outer edge of a cave. They were astounded just how well it blended into its surroundings and how little sound it actually maas it, loved through the forest.

"If you pace your breathing correctly, and focus on things other than your coldness, things like this won't harm you. Survival means knowing your surroundings and yourself," she said. "Wanna learn how to handle the cold, even if your, not a Thirian? Learn to survive."

"And how long before we learn to do that?" Lyse asked.

She shrugged. "You are smart, lads. Just trust your instincts."

"Yeah, and mine says it's sick of this cursed blizzard," Moxie bit against the wind. "Let's set up camp already and hope for this storm to go over us, yeah?"

Makyra sighed, looking up at Lyse, who looked back at the other men. "Let's settle till all this to go over. We'll move right after," he shouted.

There was sparse energy even to celebrate the special occasion. The troop at large just found the nearest suitable clearing and began pulling up shelter to protect them from the weather. A welcomed advancement for most. Edlund and Lyse set their tents up near where Moxie and Makyra planned to stay for the night, near the center of the camp. Watches were set at the perimeters, scouts who could alarm them when Frostlanders or other like creatures descended upon them. It most certainly wouldn't be ideal to be caught in such a storm, and Lyse suspects that Frostlanders fight rather well in these sorts of conditions. He planned on good sleep, to put his frantic mind to rest after what happened at that battle. He'd rather forget entirely. But before he was able to comfort himself, Makyra approached their tents.

"What's the occasion?" Edlund asked. "I think we all need the rest, don't we?"

"Moxie wants a bit more celebrating," Makyra said."You know, still having an arm and all."

Edlund considered. "Wouldn't mind some spirits. You Lyse?"

Lyse took a deep breath. "Fine, I'll join, but don't expect me to break loose."

"Just a harmless drink, Lyse; what harm can it do?" Edlund prompted as they followed Makyra to Moxies's rather large tent compared to everyone else's.

"From what mother have told me," he said. "People used to worship the state of intoxication. It liberated them. But it also notably drove men insane who delved too far in."

"So things haven't changed, huh?"

"Well, let's just say I don't handle alcohol very well with this pendant on," he tapped the pendant that sat beneath his layers. "It's like it lessens my tolerance so that I can get drunk faster."

"You never held yours well," Edlund scoffed. "I drink you under the table every time."

"Be careful," Makyra said. "Users of that pendant can also cause nasty effects to others, you know."

"Right, like Lyse, would ever . . ." he frowned, looking at the mischievous grin on Lyse's face as they pushed aside the flaps on Moxie's tent. "Oh, blow off. Anyway, this better be something good."

Moxie's tent was rather large and roomy. Not too large to become basically a giant cold box, but they were comfortable. It was clear that she had the better equipment out of them all, the tent fabric thicker and more resistant, and the floor covered in a carpet of sorts. Rolled-up fabric lined the bottom, and a long thin beam punctured the top to allow some airflow. It was a rather luxurious setup she had, and they wondered where she stored all of this. She even had a small bucket of snow and ice with two bottles sitting in the middle of the room, next to a lantern set up nearby. She was already pouring a drink, and from the rosy tone in her cheeks, she may be a few drinks in already.

"About time you guys showed up," she took out several more small glasses to pour drinks in. "We just had our lives dangle on a thread; it's about time to celebrate."

"Well, you're in worst shape than us, Moxie," Edlund said, sitting across from her and taking the bottle to inspect it, reading the label. "Dru Poppy Spirits. Never heard of it."

"Of course you haven't, you bumpkin," Moxie snatched the bottle away with her free hand. "Nice old brewery back in Hath. Brought the good stuff. Not too strong for you younger ones, but it'll be nice to have some company after . . . you know."

"How uncharacteristically compassionate of you, Moxie," Lyse said as he sat along with Makyra. They all took a glass, and Moxie began pouring them all a small drink to get them started. Lyse inspected his glass carefully. "You always seem so ready and prepared for literally anything. When the Makhai boarded your ship on a literal dragon, you still showed no sign of panic."

"Believe me, we've seen a whole lot worse as guardians," she chuckled. "Though, I must say that I could have lived without experiencing losing an arm. Thanks again."

"Don't mention it," Makyra downed her drink as soon as it was poured. Edlund followed suit as Lyse hesitantly took a sip. "So, we came here to start planning. We'll be at the site within the week. but the god will likely make their way straight here, probably even earlier."

"If I had infinite stamina, there'd be no point in waiting," Lyse agreed. "At the speeds, the average knight can run at least, hell actually make it there concurrent if not before us. I can't imagine what these gods will be like. They sure do hit hard as well."

"So we need to cut him off then," Edlund took another full shot from his small glass, grunting at this attempt, however, and his voice became hoarse. Lyse wasn't even a quarter through his drink, and he felt the effects. He could barely keep a straight thought. "Yeah. Cut him off. I don't want to fight him where he is familiar and could possibly draw more power. Hopefully, we can just restrain him. You said that if the plithos is not suitable, the Plithos would simply decay, right Makyra?"

"Basically, yes," he said. "There is a reason they tried to make your sister one. There are certain people in this world that prove to be able to handle the massive spirits the gods pose as. And it would seem that those related to members of Theurgy often provide extraordinary Plithos."

"So we just wait and hope the angry bear man-god just lose his powers?" Edlund asked. He was a bit more hesitant to take the third shot. "Seems to be a fine thought. But where, though. We don't even know exactly where he'll end up."

"He'll be headed straight from Mount Kryn to this city," Lyse said. "At least, going off of what mother told us. And I doubt we have that much gain from him."

"Are you sure you should be drinking while we're drinking?" Moxie said, pouring herself another glass."

Lyse paused for a moment at the drink as if it said something rather rude to him. His cheeks were rosy, and his eyes were a bit glassy, but with a determined swig, he downed the rest of its contents and handed his arm out for another pour. They waited for a couple of moments, seeing his eyes closed tightly as if strained with effort, but a few moments went by when Lyse opened his eyes filled with clarity. Moxie gave an impressed nod before refilling his cup.

"Well, you did invite me. It'd be rude to turn down the offer. Besides, it's not like I'm the only one here with a mind," he said to them. "Till I get the handle on this pendant, I'm going to need your help."

"Have you improved any?" Makyra asked him. "Celia told me you were practicing the basics. You seem to be quite attuned to using Athena's talents, and you even managed to use fighting the Makhai."

"Yes," he said a little softly, looking to her. "I have made progress. But it seems that the majority of the time, it just happens on instinct. So far, it has been beneficial, but I don't want to risk me calling upon its power, and it does not respond in the way that I desire."

"That will come with experience Lyse," Makyra promised him as she downed her fifth cup. She was beginning to look a bit weathered now from all the drinking. At least the alcohol made the cold less biting this night. "You are still new, remember."

"So, how am I to win against this god when I can barely grasp the use of the god's power," he asked her.

Makyra chuckled at that question. "I'm afraid you are asking the wrong person. It's not like your mother sat me down and gave me a curriculum on killing gods. I'm only here to protect you. To protect her

Killing a god? Well, you are a very resourceful man; I'm sure we'll find a way."

"Besides, we know where he is headed, we can prepare traps," Edlund nodded to Moxie, "How much longer till we reach the ruins."

"Probably another five days," she said. "And that's being generous. If the weather continues like this, it'll double that time."

"Gods don't wait on good weather to act, and neither does Talin," Lyse said. "It's strange just how inactive they are. One would think they will strike us while we are divided, but nothing."

"It's possible that they are just going after Celia," Edlund said. "Think about it; they might think that she still wields that pendant. They may try to capture her or recapture Massua, Lyse."

"But they know I'm next to inherit those powers. Tell me, brother, Do you think we made the wrong choice?" Lyse asked, looking down at his full cup, the liquid stirring within it.

Edlund gave himself a few thoughtful moments before sincerely saying: "No. No, Lyse. We have to have faith. If we had continued to move together, Massua would be in danger as well. Do you really want her to be in the middle of all this?"

"Faith, Lyse," Makyra said. "You must have faith in Gray and Elena. They are splendid knights, and they will do whatever it takes to get your mother and sister to safety. They've made it this far"

Lyse once more took a deep breath and downed his second glass. He managed it well enough, better than the time before, in fact, but he stood, setting the cup down where he had sat, and retrieved the coat that he dropped on the floor. He opened the flaps of the tent, and the cold immediately seized the opportunity to assault them, forcing Moxie and Edlund to flinch against the wind. It was nighttime now outside, and their camp had turned rather silent now. The snow was not as heavy either, hopefully, that trend will continue, and they may avoid harsh treatment tomorrow.

"Turning in already, Lyse?" Edlund asked him.

"I have a lot of thinking ahead of me, and I rather do it with a clear . . . a clearer mind. Thank you. But please, enjoy yourself."

He re-tied the linen sheets together and began to stroll through the camps. The fires from cooking pits had mostly been snuffed out, and Lyse kicked snow on the ones still alit. Personal fires flickered dully in personal tents, flashing the shadows of their accompaniment against the tent walls. The snow had indeed lessened, and the sky was beginning to become at least visible beyond the turbulent winds. The moons of the sky danced amongst the clouds, their silver bars bathing the bare branches and bleached grounds in their dull colors. It was quite a peaceful night, a night that Lyse had not expected this far into the Frostlands. Their lands somehow seemed less savage than their own, despite the clear dangers he is aware of out there. Instead of going to the tent he and Edlund shared, he walked towards the edge of the camp. It's been a while since he had a nice walk.

Granted, the last time he had taken such a stroll, it had become the inciting incident for all that is occurring now. And the road so far has been littered with physical conflict and stress. A walk, yes, a walk would be best for him now. He reached the edge of the camp. Lyse. Nodded to one of the guards who was dozing off a moment ago but straightened once Lyse came into view. The night had been quiet, and besides the occasional white wolves that roam together and maybe a sighting or two of the illusive red-furred deer that roams these lands as well. He thought perhaps maybe they could catch one. Their bones make for excellent healing remedies, and he doesn't want to be caught with critical wounds without Makyra being there like Moxie. Though, he doubts there is any among them who knows the secrets of elixir making unless one among Moxie's sailors was once a brewer or alchemist himself. But it was just a thought.