Ice Breakers {Temple Quest Pt. 2}

[Stygg Whitefeather]

For Kelp:

The hippocampi met little of interest along the shorter, albeit, stonier and less hospitable path, until he reached the peak which overlooked the temple in the valley. It was just as Shoal had described, unassuming, stone gray, and dull – except for the banners which fluttered in the ever increasing gales. He certainly beat the others to this point, for his path was more direct, but accompanied with the reduced time to his destination, was met with the ever burdened anxiety that he was being followed by something lusting with hunger.

Just off to the hippocampi's left and right, behind the evergreen treeline, came the faint rustling of footfalls on leaves and sticks; they crackled and spoke a language of curious fang and claw, which waited for a most opportune moment. Soon, right near the pinnacle, where Kelp could see the quick path down, came more footfalls upon snow, leaves, and ice until their patter made it seem he was surrounded, except for the barren spat before him leading to the ominous temple below. Howling followed, the distinct signal of wolves – of one type or another, echoed throughout the frost riddled valley. It was the sound of hunger, focused on the sweet flesh of hippocampi and they were close. They were a shiver amongst the pines, just beyond where the cold winds blew.

For the rest:

The other three, wisely following the path laid out before them on the map, met nothing of interest as they wound around the rocky, snow laden hills of this desolate wasteland. Though, by the time they met the peak of their hike, upon high hills overlooking the stoney temple, the weather had begun to turn for the worst. Snow was falling quickly and the wind turned brutally cold. Frost was now forming with every breath, in such a manner that words appeared to freeze before they could part the lips. A dark, forbidding cloud hung in the not so distant horizon, languishing on the pines tips, quickly flowing over the valley where the sun never shines. You all shiver as the cold bit into your flesh, tunneling its way to your bones.

As you arrive at your hill tops, encircled by the softly chocking cold winds, blowing around your necks, a distinct sound permeates throughout the valley you see before you. A howl, a horrible reminder of the land you have stepped hoof and talon into. Wolves, or some sort, or another, perhaps the Winter Wolves had caught scent of a most delectable prey. Whatever it was, the cold winds blew such that if the three of you had not made it to some sort of shelter soon, you'd be trapped out in the deadly flurry Shoal had warned you about.

[Dusk Wing]

    Dusk Wing continued the trek through the icy tundra, conversing with Lucky and Julius. The weather getting worse as they continued on their path. The pegasus was hoping he was right in choosing this route to take. Add to that the frustration he felt for Kelp choosing not not stay with the group.

    He had heard Lucky's suggestion to take to the sky since Kelp wasn't joining them. It was a reasonable suggestion, and Dusk was considering taking him up on it. Though, he did take note on Julius's silence on the matter. Not sure if it was personal preference or something else, it did send up some little red flags in Dusk's mind. Little Red flags which were promptly ignored.

    When it seemed that the weather was about to unleash the flurry, the group reached the top of a hill. What Dusk saw brought great relief, for the temple was resting in the valley below. His joy was cut short by the sound of a wolf's howl. Which almost sounded like it came from the other path.

    He turned to look at the others, "Let's go. Getting stuck in a flurry mere feet from our destination is not my idea of a good time." With that said, he turned and hurried down the hill towards the temple. At the pace he was going, it didn't take him long before he was standing just outside the door.

[Julius Softpaw]

Julius followed after Dusk, checking over his equipment and making sure the rope was tied securely around his waist. He also adjusted his thick cloak to better keep him warm. He looked back one last time to see if Kelp would follow, but he was already gone. He shook his head and tossed another piece of the rope to Lucky with the simple instruction to tie it to himself.

He had heard Lucky's suggestion to simply fly to the temple and shook his head. While it would be faster, it would also expose the gun to anyone who happened to look, and he couldn't have that. Thinking quickly, Julius thought of another reason not to fly. "The winds are much stronger and much colder the higher we go. I don't know about you, but I don't wish to have my wings freeze while I'm flying."

At last, they reached the top of the hill. And what Julius saw definitely raised his spirits, if only by a little. In the valley below laid the Temple, separated from the group by only a few more feet. What little amount of joy was gained by the sight was instantly dashed upon rocks at the sound of howls. Loud howls, certainly made by something large... and close. He nodded at Dusk's suggestion and hurried after him, catching up at the door.

Once Julius had reached the entrance, he turned to look around, a single thought escaping his beak: "Where is the Kelpie? He should have been here by now."

[Lucky Charm]

When Kelp ran off on his own, Lucky could scarcely believe it. "He thinks he's Fenix the Dragonslayer," he grumbled. "What kind of crazy runs off in a place like this all alone?" Naturally, he excluded himself from that statement; he had experience running off alone in places like these. Kelp was just overconfident. But for all that he wanted to follow, he couldn't turn back from his course now, so he accepted the rope from Julius and tied it around his barrel. It had, after all, been his idea.

But Julius' explanation about the wind didn't make much sense. Lucky did a lot of weather work - it was a great way to earn some spending bits part-time, since a lot of weather teams were understaffed and usually needed a helping hoof or two. He had also flown across the cold tundra in the Northern Barrens; while there was a danger of icing on the wings in bad weather, it wasn't significant until you approached the cloud layer.

Flying over a few hills would expose them to the wind, but they were already exposed. Flying would be a bit harder, but griffons were strong fliers and so was he, keeping Dusk between them would make it easier. Maybe Julius just wasn't used to these climates? Something about it nagged at him, but he decided to set it aside rather than argue the matter. For now, focus on one hoof in front of the other.

Being roped to the other two, he was hot on their hooves (paws, talons, whatever) getting to the front doors. But he couldn't help but glance back at the hill behind them. Julius voiced the thought that had been weighing on his shoulders: "Where is the Kelpie? He should have been here by now."

Lucky grit his teeth. "I knew it," he said through the scarf over his face. "He's gotten into trouble. He could be caught in the flurry or under attack by some sort of beast. We can't just leave him!" He began to walk out from the doorway, but was met with the fierce wind that had been steadily picking up for the last hour or so. His talents as a wind Pegasus would help in keeping it off of them, but that would mean nothing if they didn't follow. "C'mon," he called back to them over the wind. "We have to hurry!"

[Kelp Cutter]

The route to the temple had been as unremarkable as Kelp had expected. Once he had gotten to the peak overlooking the temple, it became only more obvious that he had made the right choice. He was almost there, in likely a fraction of the time it would take the others. As a bonus, it looked like he was going to arrive at the temple before the approaching weather set in. All the better.

As he continued forward to the temple, however, it became more and more obvious that that the Kelpie was being watched. The sound of footsteps through the trees around him, soon accompanied by an unmistakable howling, helped to confirm it. Wolves. Kelp unsheathed his sword, but didn't bother adjusting his pace. Sprinting towards his destination was just going to make him look scared, and send the animals charging straight after him. Kelp wasn't scared, and he wasn't going to slow down. A bunch of dumb wolves weren't going to stop him from reaching his destination.

[Stygg Whitefeather]

For Kelp:

These weren't ordinary wolves, not made of flesh and bone – these creatures, and the stench that now choked the air and licked at the kelpie's nose with the faint hints of wood-rot and earthy decay. Bursting forth from the tree-line, timber wolves emerged, charging beside him in and close their distance fast. Those these beasts were bulkier than their Everfree cousins, composed of white-oak wood, with maws that looked to be able to crush bone with a single, shattering bite. Thankfully for the Kelpie, they were also slower than the Everfree wolves.

He was close to the temple grounds, just barely ahead of the others from being so awkward upon the land; when the beasts were nipping at his tail, their yaps and snarls so close that he could feel their foul breath wash over his flanks...

The Others:

The storm had begun to circle around them, encasing the valley with a torrential, unnatural, flurry of wind, ice and snow chocked the them and valley till the sky roared with frozen white. The sound deafened the howl, yips, and snarls of the Timber Wolves that were nearly to set-up the Kelpie, and which source followed at both the wolves and the sea-pony's tail. When it would seem that they all would be surrounded, consumed by either woody teeth or stripping ice and wind, the great doors to the temple rumbled and gave way, opening to reveal a heavenly light contained within. The ghostly outlines of two ponies stepped forward, their heads a beacon of magical, radiant light in the otherwise bleak white world.

”Inside now!” One pony silhouette commanded as they and their other stepped forward; their obscured features now visible in the warm light emanating from within the stone structure. Both the unicorn's horns erupted with magic as they stretched their necks to the pack swarming their spot before the threshold, a great wave of ice swept out from the ground, just behind the Kelpie and slammed into White-Oak wolves, knocking them too and fro, and encasing those unlucky enough to not be flung back. In the moment the followed, both their beams of magic met in the air and the torrential storm that was nearly upon them suddenly stopped – the air became unnaturally still, while the occasional snowflake still fell, the clouds and wind were locked solid. Stopped, as if the world itself decided to pause for a moment and let it's creatures have a moment of repose. The two unicorns stepped back, their magic snagging the great doors into the temple and drug the heavy barriers back with them till they boomed shut. Outside, the storm they had paused sprang to life and, as if to make up for lost time, slammed into the temple, causing the place to shudder and it's great doors to bellow inward before relaxing.

The two robed unicorns threw back the hoods from their cloaks, which bore the same symbol and color as the one from the photograph, and turned to their new guests. Silence followed for a moment, except for the whistling wind outside, as they stared down the uninvited. That was until the a voice called from above, a warm, albeit, hesitant old voice, broke the unnerving silence of the great hall.

”Now, now, Ricotta, Ciabatta, these are our guests. No need for a stare down -” Upon a stone balcony, there stood an older stallion, robbed much as the mare and stallion beside the four, but the patterns were finer and the cloth softer. ”Least I hope. My name is Elder Camembert, and this place which you soil with your frozen hooves... and talons.” He glanced upon the griffon with an air of disdain, ”Is in my thrall – Don't make me regret letting you within our walls.”

[Dusk Wing]

    Dusk Wing moved through the quickly worsening flurry to the doors of the temple as quickly as he could. The wind and snow slowed him down a bit, but he was determined to reach the safety of the stone building. Once he managed to reach the wooden doors, he glanced behind him to see how the other two were doing.

    He saw Lucky and Julius were just behind him. He also saw that not too far behind them was Kelp Cutter. He was pleased to see his companion arrived in one piece. But that joy was quickly dashed when he noticed the timber wolves that were in pursuit of the kelpie. The smile he had maintained through the trek qucikly shifted to a cold, stony expression as he internally cursed at their situation.

     He wasn't certain how to get out of this situation, but if experience has taught him anything, it's that there's always a way out. And sure enough, the temple's doors opened, and a couple of ponies beckoned the group inside. Not wasting anytime, Dusk hurried inside and out of the flurry. Inside the temple, he looked out into the storm. A confident smile adorning his face as he watched his companions rush in after him.

    Once the doors to the temple were closed, the violet pegasus turned and began to examine the architecture of the building. Looking to see if there were any hiding spots, alcoves, or other such things he could use if need be. Not that he thought he would, it was more out of a force of habit. While he did so, he could feel the disapproving glare of the ponies that saved them.

    When a voice broke the silence Dusk was taken slightly by surprise. Silently he berated himself for not noticing this pony's approach. "Thank you for allowing us to take shelter in your home from the storm." Dusk spoke with a fairly somber tone, as he quickly analyzed the situation. "We will try to not overstep our bounds." A blatant lie was with a straight face and unwavering tone. "As for who we are, I am Dusk Wing."

[Julius Softpaw]

Julius followed Dusk into the temple, followed himself by Lucky and the obviously suicidal kelpie. Upon reaching the inside of the temple, Julius quickly sheathed his blades and helped untie the rope from around his comrades, wrapping it up across his chest once more. He also immediately looked around, searching for any arrow- or spear-holes.

Only then did he turn his gaze upon the two unicorns who stood in front of them, immediately gauging their weight and size, should the need arise to incapacitate them. "You have our thanks, gute ältere." Julius bowed and spoke in that quiet, rasping voice of his, with just the slightest hint of an accent. "I am Julius Softpaw, Eyes and Hand of Ambassador Shoal Whitecap, and these are my companions," He gestured to the others in his group. "Lucky Charm and Kelp Cutter. It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance."

[Lucky Charm]

Lucky hurried in after Julius, pulling Kelp behind him. When the doors shut, muting the sound of the building storm outside, he turned to smile gratefully at his rescuers, of which there now seemed to be three. The Pegasus inclined his head as he was introduced, inclinding his head and adding "At your service" before he let Julius finish. The unicorns seemed suspcious, but Lucky wasn't worried. They had a right to be, with strangers coming to their door out of nowhere like this. It couldn't be accidental, after all.

It was, Lucky decided, probably a good idea to let Julius do the talking for now, but hopefully they would have a few moments to themselves first so he could bring up something that had been nagging at him since their conversation with Shoal. It had started as just a paranoid feeling at the back of his head, but the more he thought about it the more holes opened up. He'd meant to bring it up on the way, but the whole matter was driven right out of his mind by worries about the flurry and Kelp Cutter. For now he just tried to look tired from their walk (he wasn't, but he had been so often that he knew just what to do) and hoped someone would suggest that they rest up first.

In the meantime he took a quick look around him, getting his bearings and noting the architecture of the place. He might have seen something like it at some point, and the names 'Ricotta' and 'Ciabatta' definitely rang a bell somewhere. Not common Equestrian, he knew that. The wanderer thought back through his travels, now having a better idea of what to look for...

[Kelp Cutter]

"Shoot," Kelp thought, quickly accelerating as the creatures stalking him made themselves visible. Timber wolves, though peculiar ones at that. They were beefier... woodier than the kind he had heard of, and likely meaner too. It would make for a gripping story, how the adventurer had barely escaped the perilous fangs of these hulking predators on his way to the temple. Of course, he'd need to accomplish that feat before he got the chance to tell it.

The wolves were close, but so was the temple. Also close were his companions, now within sight as he sprinted towards the temple. Maybe they had taken his advice and flown part of the way.

With the quartet soon to be back together, the situation had soon turned from kelpie vs. many to a fighting chance. Kelp was about to shout out to the others, but the temple doors bursting open with a glowing, white light had beaten him to the punch. Kelp could feel the blast of an ice spell launched behind him, and glanced over his shoulder to spot timber wolves knocked about or frozen solid. So much for a fighting chance.

The kelpie ran inside after the others, looking around at the interior once everyone had come to a stop. The patterns on the robes of the three ponies inside meant nothing to him, as he hadn't spent much time committing the photo from earlier to memory. At least they knew the place was inhabited, and by folk who seemed friendly enough.

"Yeah, we'll try not t' waste too much of your time," Kelp spoke, not bothering with formalities as he stepped to the front of the group. "Griffon Kingdom's sent us here on official business. You mind if we discuss it somewhere other than your foyer?"

[Stygg Whitefeather]

Elder Camembert looked over the new arrives with an air of suspicion and concern. It was clear he was not entirely soothed by the prospect of a griffon here, nor by a griffon entourage. His darting glances were always towards Julius and his demeanor showed he was clearly suspicious of both him, the others with him. However, not one to be an ungracious host, he nodded politely.

”I see. Very well then.” The old stallion said softly and turned towards the stairs leading from the balcony, ”Come with me.” As he descended the stairs, more ponies began appearing, dressed in robes and cloaks much as the Ricotta and Ciabatta were. ”Ricotta, please have tea prepared for our guest and sent to the library. Also, have Sir Adelost notified of our guests arrival.” Without a word, Ricotta quickly trotted off in the opposite direction of Camembert.

Ciabatta took up guard behind the four others and beckoned them to follow Elder Camembert; her stance and readied horn made this more a command than a request. The mare would keep in step behind the group, watching them with hawk-like intensity for any sign of mischief, as the group was lead down a stoney, fire-lit hall.

”So the griffons are curious about us? I suppose the weather manipulation finally caught their attention. We had been hoping the storms would keep them away while they dealt with their own troubles.” Elder Camembert mused as he lead the others. Every so often, he would catch the glance of an acolyte pony, silently speak with a nod and glance, before carrying on further down the hall and around a corner.

After a few moments, the uneasiness was suddenly shattered by the disembodied voice of Shoal breaking from over the D.B.A.R.S. Elder Camembert and Acolyte Ricotta both stopped short, taking up an surprised and defensive posture as the voice continued to speak. “Hey! Hey! This thing still working? Anyone there? Answer me – have you made it to the structure? The storm here has gotten worse, did you make it?” Shoal's voice repeated his demand for some sort of signal the party was alive and well.

Elder Camembert looked in utter shock hearing another voice emanating from the strange device they were carrying. ”What type of magic is that? Who is speaking? Explain yourselves!”

((I can't find who is suppose to be carrying the thing, who took up the responsibility just clarify in your post. I want to say Lucky..?))

[Dusk Wing]

    Kelp Cutter's direct approach took Dusk Wing by surprise and nearly caused him to facehoof. However, he managed to maintain his composure. The kelpie's method went against the more subtle and tactful methods Dusk preferred to employ. Though, it couldn't really be helped at this point, all he could do was hope that things would go well.

    Dusk felt relieved when the kelpie's approach seemed to work. With a nod, he followed the older stallion through the stone hall. He kept his head foreward, while his eyes were constantly moving. Taking note of everything he saw, and beginning to make a map of the temple in his head. He did this while listening to what the elder was saying.

    "Finally? That implies that you've been here for a while." He takes a second to spare a glance at the elder before going back to examining the building. "Might I ask how long this place has been here?"

    Dusk was honestly a bit curious about that. However, before he could get an answer, Shoal's voice came through the D.B.A.R.S. that Lucky was carrying. And this time, Dusk was unable to prevent a facehoof. At this rate, they would be run out of the temple before they made any progress in the negotiations. "Someone please answer that. The situation is complicated enough as is."

[Julius Softpaw]

Julius stared at the Kelpie's brash attitude, fully expecting it to knock aside every chance of peace with these new ponies. He was somewhat surprised, however, when it seemed to work. But, just as he was about to get into the groove of things, Shoal's voice broke out over the D.B.A.R.S. Quickly lifting it from Lucky's back, the scarred griffon set it on the ground, pressing the button that allowed one to speak through it. "We are here, sir. They've welcomed us inside and are willing to speak."

[Lucky Charm]

Lucky resisted the urge to facehoof, making do with a muttered "Moon and stars..." He'd almost forgotten that the thing weighing down his back and preventing serious flight could also spark to life at the worst possible moment and make things much more complicated. He really should have expected that. Well, he thought, honesty is the best policy.

"This device is a griffon invention called the Dragon Breath Audio Sender-Receiver," he said, stepping forward. "Or D-bars for short." Because what does radio even mean? "To be honest I don't understand how it works beyond what the name tells us, but it allows us to communicate with another, linked device a fair distance away. The ambassador wanted to discuss these matters as directly as possible without actually braving the storm himself."

He rolled his eyes slightly at that last part, a subtle indicator of just what he thought of the ambassador's priorities. In actuality he understood not everyone was up for this kind of trek and frankly Shoal might not have survived if the flurry had hit, but he had the feeling this encounter might go better if he didn't appear to be a loyal lapdog. Besides, he had other issues with Shoal's methods.

[Kelp Cutter]

Kelp couldn't help but notice Camembert keeping his eye on Julius. His only guess as to why the mercenary was getting so much more attention was that he was the only one of the four resembling an actual member of the Griffon government or military. The hippocampus and the ponies looked far more like reps-for-hire compared to an actual griffon. Kelp turned his head back at Julius after Camembert had begun descending, nodding towards the robed pony while trying to give the griffon a 'try to act less threatening' look.

Kelp brought up the rear of the group, walking casually in front of Ciabatta and her readied horn. "So, this a monastery or somethin' you got here? Couldn't help but notice th' dress code, and th' location." he spoke, trying to make small-talk.

The adventurer stood in annoyed silence as Shoal's radio suddenly made a muck of things. He waited until the others had spoken before continuing where Lucky had finished. "Yeah. Think of it as his voice from afar. Let's you communicate with 'em indirectly a lot quicker than mailin' a letter."