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As a group, the cohort worked to dislodge the stone from the tree. After a little debate, they dug a grave with the help of some very directed wind magic and marked the ground so the harpies could find it if they chose to return for their fallen sister.

The harpy had not been dead long according to the doctor, possibly only a few hours. That was assuming that magical creatures decayed at the same rate as humans, which might not be accurate.

The question of humanity was where the debate about what to do with the monster's victim had begun. They did not want to let the trail of the Abominable run cold, but it also felt very wrong to leave the beautiful creature with the alabaster skin of a woman and arms like wings of a mighty eagle to be the prey of scavengers.

In the end the cohort did the honorable thing. It would have weighed too heavily on their conscience otherwise. After committing the creature to the Maker, the group eyed the ice barrier pensively.

Deep gouges ran up the side as far as they could see. The claws that made them had been very powerful.

"I do not think we can climb the same way he did…" Aurora noted with a bit of hesitation. "We don't have the right equipment."

"It is too bad you do not have your Guardian's cloak," Nurlan said to Zan. "I'm sure you probably have at least a pickaxe or two in there."

"I also have some neat climbing gear," Zan agreed. "Not that it matters."

"No use fussing over what we do not have. We will have to find another way up." Brinn pushed on her sleeves and marched determinedly toward the barrier. She had found a few creative ways to cross it to avoid using the "main gate" which the elves guarded. This was a challenge she could handle.

"We better do it quickly," Reyan said with a shiver, "If the harpies return and think we were with the monster, it will not go well for us, trust me."

"I get the feeling you have lived a strange life, haven't you?" Zan asked the grumpy fairy.

"You don't know the half of it," Reyan said as he puffed out his chest, "this amount of handsomeness and charm was always destined for greatness."

The rest of the party looked at each other, but how could they argue? Did any of them have a clue what constituted beauty in terms of fairies? As for charming, perhaps he had been once...

"Well, Sir Greatness, see if you can fly up and find us an easier point to cross," Brinn waved her hand dismissively.

Liking his new title, Reyan rose above them and circled the area. The wall was particularly steep here. He could fly each of the members of the cohort a short way up the barrier but not anywhere near the obliterating snowstorm at the top, but that would push him to his limit.

There was no way for anyone to fly through the oppressive force that kept out non-magical creatures. Even he would have to walk long before approaching it. Only the eagles, who could reach insane heights and dove down through the storm with out their magic in a dizzying drop were able to pierce the veil from above.

Reyan also couldn't portal them through the barrier. With great care the gnomes had managed to dig under the magic, and the elves had somehow tunneled through it to make their gate, but flitting through it on a whim could have disastrous results.

So the fairy searched for a way to get his cohort up the barrier the old fashioned way: by walking. It did not take him long to discover a sloping set of switchbacks which formed a narrow path upward. However, part of the passage halfway up had broken from the wall and was laying at the base in the grass.

The ice that had been parted from its home was only partially melted, a sign that the divide was recent. The magical ice melted more slowly than regular ice, but it would eventually become water and be absorbed, creating a nutrient rich patch of soil.

Noting his discoveries, Reyan returned to share his findings. He found the group where they had traveled: in the opposite direction in search of a way to pass.

"Good news?" Aurora called to him as he neared.

"Mixed…" the fairy answered, alighting on the ground. It took a minute for him to catch his breath. There was a reason he no longer traveled to change the seasons. He was the keeper of the Fate's chain, he was old, and he didn't want to. But his stubbornness had made him out of shape. He was very tired.

Phileas passed Reyan a waterskin, and the fairy drank greedily. When the old fairy had emptied it, he felt much better.

"Spit it out! Did you find a way across?" Brinn tapped her foot. She did not sit still well and she could almost feel the monster getting further away by the moment.

"Sort of. There is a path, but it is probably too narrow for the unicorns and there is a large portion of the path that is missing." Reyan told them. He pointed toward where he had seen the path, though it was obscured by the trees and a bend in the barrier.

"Part of the path is missing?" Zan did not like the sound of it.

Nodding, Reyan pulled his mouth to one side. "If I had to guess, our monster entered the land of magic by that path but was too heavy for it. The ice from the break is still melting, but that can take many days."

"You don't think the harpies did it?" Phileas asked.

"Harpies are pretty lightweight," Alvar answered. He had been the one to put the deceased in her grave. "If one of them did it, then none of us would be able to use the path."

"Do you think the chasm is passable?" Nurlan jumped to the point. To him, it did not matter who or what caused the break. It was merely an obstacle to be overcome.

Reyan thought for a moment. "Yes. It may take some creativity, but I think we can. We should at least give it a try."

With everyone in agreement, the cohort mounted the unicorns and made the short trek to where the narrow path began. Knowing that he would need to expend all his energy on the climb, Reyan reluctantly sat on the back of Utku to conserve his strength.

"There it is!" From above, Reyan had easily spotted it, but like most of the paths across the barrier, from the ground, it was nearly invisible. Only the large piece of melting ice gave any clue to its existence.

When Aurora dismounted and examined the switchbacks, her memory flew to the time she had used a similar path to cross the wall of ice. It had been a harrowing experience that nearly killed Devrim. Yet this time, she had the help of magical creatures. That alone was a comfort.

However not all of the magical creatures would be going with her. "I have to agree with Reyan that the path is too narrow and slick for our unicorn friends. Perhaps there is another way?"

Utku neighed and brayed emphatically. For a moment, the Empress was worried that he was warning them of some incoming danger. The other unicorns joined in, whinnying their ascent to whatever he had said.

"The unicorns do not want you to lose track of your goal because of them," Brinn translated. "They are sad to be left behind, but insist you keep going. Utku said that deep down he knew this would happen. He wishes you well on your journey." There was a sadness in Brinn's tone that Aurora knew was passed on from the loyal unicorn.

Tears flooded Aurora's eyes. She had cried for the death of the unknown harpy, but only a few solemn tears. This loss was much more keen. The Empress had known Utku since he was a foal and each separation from him became harder. She felt connected to him somehow, something that the elves had warned her would happen over time. It wasn't magic exactly, but it was very real.

"I hope to see you again soon, my friend," Aurora wiped her face before petting Utku's silky mane. He nudged her with his velvety muzzle. She did need any translation to know he cared.

Repacking the most necessary of their supplies, the group prepared to leave. Utku and the other unicorns promised to return their saddles and packs to the elven monarchs. The few things that needed to be returned were placed on the back of the horned helpers.

Kissing Utku on his nose, Aurora said goodbye.

"Ready, Your Majesty?" Zan could see the hesitation on the Empress's face.

"Lead on." Aurora pulled herself away and took her place in the middle of the cohort. They lined up single file.

The humans in the group were interspersed with the magical beings. Other than Aurora, none of the humans had protection from the ice barrier's crushing force inside the perilous snowstorm. They would need the help of a magical creature to pass through.

With one last look toward the departing unicorns, Aurora allowed her feet to pass from the firm grassy earth onto the slick smooth surface of the barrier. There was only one way to go. Up.