For whatever reason, Eclipse knew he was under attack and before he could verbally protest, he met steel with blessed steel. His armor gleamed, moving smoothly with him as he flexed his knees and fended off the pantherman's assault. Face stern, he eyed the feline hero from across his blade, taking the time to decide the rightness of returning this beings attacks as he parried and threw off whatever Kalico threw at him. He sensed the creature's disgust and knew that it was acting of its own free will. Perhaps this was some kind of test. He dodged and defended but withheld himself from striking, much to the frustration of his opponent. The mighty Eclipse would not be goaded into an unrighteous display. 

The ice elemental rising in the background soon caught Eclipse's attention, and it was just in time for him to jump back out of the way of its oncoming lances of ice. Kalico had also lept away, finding a hiding spot within the snow covered branches of the fur trees. 

The ice elemental proved to be far more interested in coming after the little group than in going after the elusive catman. Talændrel show neither interest or concern as he casually questioned Eternity, and Uxzan had only just arrived. Eclipse stood his ground and clasped both hands onto his weapon in a look of "You shall not pass!" before the ice creature. 

Fortunately, no further action was needed as Adrian grew tired of pointless antics and swiftly put the creature down. Eclipse put away his sword and as Adrian returned, gave a short bow. "My gratitude, Sir knight." He kept looking out at the trees where Kalico had hidden himself for a moment longer before returning with the others to Eternity's attention. Why he had been singled out for attack, he may never know, but he hoped that the catlike person had learned something from the encounter. 

The man in blue did his talking, leaving them with the dilemmas of getting their coin into the frozen river and getting their boat out of it. As the man melted into the river's ice, Eclipse noticed the numerous gold coins so much like his own that covered the river bed as far as he could see in both directions. The sight struck him. So many others had once been here, crossing this river at this place. He blinked and reflected quietly in awe. "So many have come before us... Have they all returned?" 

The golden cavalier appeared undaunted, and without any doubt of himself or cowardice, he struck the ice with his lance and made his payment. Eclipse shook his head with a smile at this. "So it appears we are all on the same quest. The clarity of your action inspires me, sir knight. By your lance and your eagle, would you be the famed Adrian Balcer? Indeed I thought so." The smiling blue-eyed paladin walked over to the river's edge and stood before the hole that Adrian had made. He brought out his coin and gave thought to what he was about to do. "What is faith without action? What is hope without bravery? ... What is purpose without love?" He glanced around at the others, implying that his offer extended to them as well. "I will be with you on this dark journey into hell, and I will not leave you. May light prevail." Eclipse landed his coin atop the others through the hole in the ice and turned his attention toward the frozen boat, allowing the remaining heroes to make their choices. 

White hair clung in locks to the back of his blue cloak as he raised his head to look up at the frozen mast of the sunken vessel. Eclipse frowned, then finally spoke to Adrian. "I have no idea how to do this."