Chapter 7 A Cold Encounter

They traveled what they thought was north into the Dragonrend Mountains. The snow crunched as Riswynn tossed her bag onto the ground, her bedroll strapped to the back of it. She had to put her stubbornness aside.

"Everything okay?" Disia asked catching up and stopping a few inches next to her.

"I lost the trail a little over an hour ago," she said taking in the surrounding mountains. It was a lot worse than she had thought. The fact that she didn't know the first thing about this mountain, and that something else had been bugging her since yesterday. Wulfa, the strange man in black. Of course, she wouldn't let them know about it.

"I don't blame you, Ris. It's easy to get lost in all this white. Looks all the same to me in every direction," Nim said coming to a stop next to Disia.

"Somethings bothering her," Disia whispered to Nim.

"Yes, I sense that too. But she's blocking me from her mind." They both set down their belongings. Riswynn could feel Nim trying to read her thoughts. While she liked Nim, she was still processing her own feelings about the strange man. Picking up the rear, Lila kept her eyes to the sky. She wasn't comfortable herself in such a wide open space with no place to hide. She didn't like she had nowhere to cover herself (if needed) except the mountains.

Disia and Nim were helping Riswynn to plan their next move when Lila spotted a hobgoblin on a worg come rushing straight at them over the nearest mountain.

"Enemy," Lila shouted as she quickly pulled out her bow and shot the arrow perfectly, knocking the hobgoblin off the worg. The hobgoblin rolled onto the snow, but the worg continued to rush towards them.

"Nice aim," Disia said as she stepped in front of Nim. They could now see as the enormous beast ran closer to them why it ran so fast. Saliva drooled and dripped from it's warped black teeth. It's ribs could be seen and it's fur was mangy in spots. They looked to the hobgoblin; just now getting to its knees. He was just as gaunt and unkempt as it's mount.

Nim aimed her crossbow at the worg, with hopes to slow it down. It missed, landing far behind the animal, closer to it's rider more than anything. Aggression from being shot at set in, sending the beast at an even faster speed. As if in agreement, the hobgoblin gargled a shout as he pulled out his own bow and took a shot at the elf, who clearly couldn't aim a measly thirty or forty feet. Disia swung her axe at just the right time to bounce the arrow off away from Nim. Nim smiled after her, as Disia charged past the worg. She pulled a small handaxe from inside her boot and chucked it straight at the hobgoblin. It flipped through the air like a tomahawk, landing on the top of it's head. Another gargled shout came from the hobgoblin - this one not so excited. He fell backwards onto the snow, his hands on his head as he tried to pull out the handaxe.

"Can you three handle that dog?"

"Yes." Came the response of two voices as Disia went to finish her work.

Riswynn was still wrapped in her worried and now angry thoughts about this man Wulfa. Why didn't Commander Biri tell me he was alive? Why didn't she mention he would even be here? Her thoughts now involved Commander Biri, and if she had only sent them this way to jeopardize something she wouldn't do herself. It wasn't like Commander Biri at all, and in the almost thirty years she had known her, she had never acted like this. Something didn't feel right, yet again. The worg was coming right at her, it's massive paws sending snow in flying sparks as it ran. It was maybe close to twenty feet away now, and she had not even reached for her shield. Preoccupied by her thoughts, she hadn't been aware of what was going on, only the moment when Lila announced an enemy.

She was lucky for the two girls beside her. Lila and Nim continued to shoot arrows and bolts before the worg ever reached Riswynn. It's body lay a little over five feet from the dwarf as Lila gently touched it with her boot. Nim once again tried to read into Riswynns thoughts, but the only thing she found was how upset she was for letting her group possibly be in danger at her expense. Nim stepped closer to Riswynn giving her a concerned look.

"What can you see, Lila?" Riswynn asked as Lila salvaged her good arrows and placed them back in her quiver. Lila looked back at the dead hobgoblin and Disia, watched Disia yank her handaxe out of it's skull and start walking back towards them.

"It was a scout," Lila said, scrunching up her nose once Disia stepped beside her. She looked at the weapon in Disia's hand, and could feel breakfast coming up.

"I should be used to that," Lila began.

"But, it's disgusting." Nim nodded when she finally got the smell of it herself.

"Sorry," Disia said. She looked around for a way to wipe the blade clean. It certainly wasn't going on her clothes or blankets. An idea came to her when her eyes met snow. Placing the axe blade into the white powder, she used the edge of her boot to wipe off the guts.

"Stuffs pretty useful," she said admiring the mostly cleaned blade. Content, she returned the weapon to the inside of her boot. She shivered for a second as the cold touched her skin.

"A scout? You're sure?" Riswynn said wanting to bring the conversation back. Lila nodded.

"Starving for a few days. But, yes someone's scout."

"We better get moving then. Hobgoblins travel in packs. If that was a scout it's likely there's a tribe of them somewhere in these mountains. And I don't want to find out how many," Riswynn said picking up her things.

"Which way are we going?" Nim asked.

"Any way at this point. It's cloudy, so no sun to follow. It's best to just keep moving and we'll go from there."

She didn't like the idea of traveling just anywhere unplanned, but staying here could mean danger if more hobgoblins showed up. Most of all she worried her thoughts might get the best of her again, and would set them even further off track.

Six hours later, Riswynn set her supplies down once again.

"I still can't find the trail," she began.

"And it looks to be around midday, so we might as well stop for lunch." The others placed their bags down next to Riswynns.

"Should we start a fire?" Disia asked.

"Better not risk it," Riswynn answered as she pulled out bread, cheese and two apples. They used their bedrolls and blankets to sit on and sat down to eat.

"Thank goodness for that Inn lady friend of yours, Ris," Disia said biting into a piece of bread. The others nodded in agreement as they wolfed down their food.

"All this needs now is a good wine."

"Only you, Disia," Riswynn laughed. They ate in silence for a few moments, enjoying their meal - even if it was just a small bit.

"We got company," Nim said out of nowhere when she saw a tiger as white as the snow slowly stalking towards them. It's two top front teeth grew down over it's bottom jaw. Unlike the other massive beast they recently encountered, this one had not been starved. It's coat was a beautiful white, and shined when the sun bounced off it. It's paws and tail were monstrous, everything about this animal was. Even more it was well kept, like someone had been taking care of it.

"This is a mountain saber tooth," Riswynn said, quickly grabbing her shield and weapon. She had a tense look on her face.

"This is not good. They can be very dangerous. This one is a full grown adult, and not at all struggling to find food for itself." The other girls braced themselves as the tiger continued to slowly stalk towards them. They had not seen Riswynn worried in a fight yet, and this upset them as well. Nim placed her amulet around her neck and pulled out her mace.

"Can I shoot it now?" Lila asked with an arrow ready to be let loose.

"No," Riswynn said planting her feet in the snow resting her warhammer at her side, and holding her shield ready for an attack.

"They're very unpredictable."

Disia also watched the tigers movements, keeping her axe close by in case she needed to block. The beast watched them just the same, it was now only a few feet away as it moved in a circle around them, eyeing each of them, deciding who to attack first. It went for Riswynn who was ready for it's attack, as she quickly brought her shield to her face. Her footing was planted well into the snow so she was ready for the weight of the two hundred pound animal when it tried to overpower her. It's long teeth meant for her face sank into her shield instead. Disia seized her moment while it's teeth were stuck in Riswynn's shield. She stepped behind the tiger; swinging her axe right into its hindquarters, taking a small chunk out of the animal. Blood sprayed onto the ground, and both of their faces. The tiger yelped in anger, yanked it's teeth from the shield, splintering it in the process. It backed away from Riswynn, rethinking it's plan.

"Damn it," Riswynn said looking at her damaged shield. After a quick inspection, she considered the shield still decent enough to use and she planted her feet once again, ready for another attack from the tiger.

It now eyed the two girls at the back. Lila was still holding her position, waiting for Riswynn's command. Nim had a small flame at the end of her fingers ready to go.

"I think it's coming for you two," Riswynn said as the tiger now changed its direction. It cautiously eyed her as it walked slowly towards the other two girls, ready to attack Riswynn once again.

"We need to catch it off guard," Disia said watching as she grasped onto her axe.

An arrow shot into the leg of the tiger.

"Shit," Riswynn said. Lila's fingers had become slippery and she lost control of the arrow. The beast now had her in it's sight. To distract it, Nim flung her sacred flame at it. It singed only the tip of its ear, but it's attention had now turned to Nim.

As Riswynn predicted, the mountain saber tooth immediately turned aggressive. It lunged at full speed towards Nim and pounced on her, knocking her to the ground.

"No!" Riswynn cried. She knew this would happen. Either in hopes to distract it, or to injure it enough for Nim to get back up; Lila pierced another arrow into it, this time in it's shoulder blade.

"Lila! No! You'll only anger it more," screamed Riswynn, her heart was pounding faster. The start of tears came into Lila's eyes. She wanted to run away. It was her fault this was happening. If she hadn't released that arrow. She saw Disia looking at her.

Riswynn was right again, the beast didn't take off. The arrow only angered it more, as its paw gouged deep into Nim's chest. Nim howled in pain, which only initiated the tiger more. Riswynn didn't know what to do, as the other two looked at her with tears in their eyes. She had never dealt with a mountain saber-tooth before, and they were much stronger, as well as aggressive than their ascendants.

"Riswynn, we need to do something," Disia said, wanting to jump in and just hack away at the beast again.

"I...don't...know.." Riswynn stumbled. Lila starred as Nim cried in pain; bleeding from her chest. It would be her fault again if someone died. She placed another arrow into her bow.

"Riswynn. Please," Lila said waiting for her command.

"To heck with this," Disia said rushing over to the beast, ready to start cutting it into pieces.

"What in the world?!" She said when her blade was about to meet fur.

The tiger had almost sank it's razor sharp teeth into Nim's neck, when it was blinded by a sudden yellow glow radiating from her amulet. It jumped away and snarled at her as the glow continued to spread over her whole body. Disia could feel the warmth coming from Nim, reminding her of back home when she used to bathe in the sun's glow.

The creature swiped at the invisible glow, it could feel the heat as well, but unlike Disia it did not like it. Disia and Riswynn noticed this, and took advantage. Riswynn smacked the tip of her warhammer against the beasts ass while Disia took an even bigger slice out of the tiger. Whining, the tiger circled back onto them. Nim's chest wound had begun to heal as her glow slowly started to dim.

"Lila, shoot at it! It's weak," Riswynn said, knocking the animal on it's side with her shield. Her cue, Lila begun shooting arrow after arrow as the tiger went for Nim once again. Nim's shield had finally vanished just as the tiger jumped back on her, scratching her on the chest, reopening the wound. From pain and exhaustion, Nim's eyes closed, as she fell into unconsciousness. Disia sliced her axe faster into the tigers side, blood forming a puddle beneath it. Riswynn reached into her pouch for the healing vials they bought yesterday.

As if deciding this wasn't a meal worth fighting for, the mountain saber-tooth begins walking away.

"Leave it," Riswynn warned when Disia tried to go after it. Arrows protruded from its body as it tracked bloody paw prints behind it. Lila put down her bow and rushed over to Nim as Riswynn put the liquid in her mouth. Within seconds her eyes opened, her hand went immediately to her chest. She tried to clutch her amulet that was still wrapped around her neck. Lila helped her to remove it, and Nim tried to heal the wound.

"I'm out of energy," she said hoarsely. Disia looked in the direction of the tiger one last time, then grabbed a waterskin. She glanced at Riswynn wondering why she'd allow the tiger to get away when it clearly changed its mind. Nim drank as Riswynn wrapped bandages around her chest.

"I'm sorry," Lila said quietly. The girl they met on day one was back.

"It wasn't your fault. They're unpredictable," Riswynn said as Nim flinched. Lila nodded, but she didn't believe her. Satisfied Nim's bandages were good enough, Riswynn picked up her belongings.

"We need to keep moving. There's too much blood here. Another creature could sniff it out."

"She needs rest," Disia said nodding towards Nim.

"No, she's right. We need to keep moving. I'll be fine," Nim said picking up her belongings as well.

"The sun will be going down in a couple hours. We should try to find shelter soon for warmth." Riswynn stumbled on her footing. The mountains had become steep, and the snow was about two feet deep.

"I might have to carry Lila," said Disia, who was now getting the hang of walking in the snow. Unfortunately, for Lila, she had not. She stumbled into the banks much more often than Riswynn. Unlike Riswynn, she never encountered snow in her land. It hindered her scouting job; but thankfully Nim who was still exhausted from hours ago, walked beside her. Disia, still a bit angry with Riswynn for not letting Nim rest, walked next to Nim.

"Is that the keep we're supposed to be heading for?" Disia asked helping Lila, who had fallen into the snow again. Riswynn looked in the direction Disia had pointed, but there was no way they'd reached Eadnoth Keep in one day.

More than a couple hundred feet ahead of them stood a large black city. A dense, dark fog lingered around it as if to hide it from outsiders.

"I think that's the keep the strange man told us about," Nim said. She felt an uncomfortable sense of danger about it. At the mention of the strange man, Riswynns thoughts of Commander Biri returned.

"There's something dangerous about that keep," Nim went on.

"He did mention something not exactly living there," Riswynn reminded. Nim nodded as a pack of hawks circled high above them, calling out.

"I think they might be warning us," Disia said starting to walk back towards the mountain path.

"No," Riswynn began, eyeing the hawks as they swooped down closer to them.

"They are blood hawks, and I think they are protecting that keep," she finished just as two came right at her. She ducked under the protection of her shield just in time as their beaks tapped against the wood.

Unaware of a third hawk spiraling down at her, Nim leaned on Disia for support. Lila shot it out of the sky and it's small body flopped onto the snow. A second hawk that had been flying towards Nim, changed its course and went for Lila instead. Lila wailed in pain when the hawk pecked it's beak into her upper thigh. Concerned, Riswynn turned in Lila's direction for a second, leaving herself vulnerable. A fifth hawk had come soaring at Riswynn, snapping its beak against her hand holding her shield.

"Bastard!" Riswynn cursed grabbing a handaxe from her side and chopping it's head clean off. Nim mustered whatever energy she could and threw a guiding bolt at one of the two still near Riswynn. Electricity ran through the hawk, as it fell to the ground. Feathers turned to ash as it slowly fried to death.

The last hawk landed on Lila's hands and began pecking at her. She continued to scream as the one on her thigh dug in her skin deep with its beak and talons and the second one beat its wings in her face. When Disia saw she was unable to keep her balance in the foot of snow and had difficulty with two blood hawks pecking at her, she ran over to help. She pulled the one on her thigh off and threw it a few feet away into the air. It took flight before it touched the ground. She smacked the second hawk away from Lila, giving her a chance to grab both her short swords. The hawk that had tore into her thigh was now coming back at her again. She missed her first swing, almost losing her balance, sharp pains shot through her thigh. The second swing made contact, slicing through the hawks neck. She fell down in pain with the bird and watched as Disia handled the other hawk.

Disia dodged the birds attacks and with a quick spin, cut it's body in half mid-flight. Nim helped Riswynn finish the last hawk. Riswynn quickly bandaged her right hand, and then helped Disia bandage Lila's thigh and hands. They buried the dead hawks in the snow and headed off again.

"We gotta find a cave real soon," Riswynn said as she began walking on the mountain path.

It was a little after sundown when they finally found a small cave to settle into for the night. Disia unpacked a better meal then they had for lunch, while Riswynn checked Nim and Lila's bandages. She then built a small fire to keep them warm. They laid out bedrolls, then blankets, and sat down to eat dinner. Lila still winced in pain, but hid it well. The food and fire helped, and she started to feel a little better, but only if she didn't move her leg.

"You okay to keep watch?" Riswynn asked Lila after they finished dinner. Lila nodded, her body was becoming more tolerant of the pain.

"I'm fine long as I don't move my leg too quick," she said settling her back against the cool granite wall.

Nim was the first to fall asleep as she lay closest to the fire. Disia and Riswynn chatted softly for a bit before they finally laid down and closed their eyes. The small fire slowly began to fade as Lila's eyes got heavy. Exhaustion from pain finally came to her an hour after the fire died, and she closed her eyes.

Again Lila dreamed of the man named Tinir - the nightmare where they were ambushed by Giants. She tossed and turned, unraveling some of the bandage on her thigh. She was awakened by a tiny red bat with four legs attached to her wounded thigh. It's needle-like nose drained blood from her.

"Vampire!" She called out as she grabbed it and tossed it into the dead campfire.