The journey from Leandra's Tower toward Frigmount was quite pleasant and expedited. The newly ascended god's blessing mad everything easier. The weather stayed clear, the air crisp, not unbearable for even the unblessed, predators brought them food. On the 59th, the massive city of ice and stone came into view, and while most of the group thought they were safe, a select few knew what really lie in wait.

On that day, the mages would feel the dying shield that had wrapped around the city and her surrounding lands, that kept her separate, isolated, from the rest of the world, all thanks to the former Handmaiden Juloya. It was sobering, knowing that their journey would have to end with her death, thus saving the world from an unknown, incredibly powerful enemy.

Svarak grew quiet in those last couple days, after a long evening spent in discussion and planning with Rilana, knowing it was his job to kill the woman he'd loved those three centuries before. He knew he could, he just wished it didn't have to come to this. 

On the 61st, they came to the first manned outpost outside of the city, bustling with chillborn and moon fey guards. At least one of them was recognizable to Rilana, a man named Fahlzer who'd grown up near her. He approached the group, [color=7ea7d8][b]"Welcome home Lana. Though I wish it were under better circumstances."[/b][/color] 

He removed his helmet and she could see the uncharacteristic marks of stress and worry upon his face. [color=7ea7d8][b]"The city is closed. There's something, some sort of plague ravishing through it. People are going mad, filled with rage, mages have lost all control of their powers. We don't know what is causing it, we don't know how to stop it, but we know it is spreading. We cannot let you in, for your own safety. Your family managed to get out, they are on the northside with several of our finest mages and a few council members, and the royal family. If anyone can figure it out, it is them."[/b][/color]

He then stepped forward pulling her into a tight hug, slipping a note into her pocket. He stepped away, [color=7ea7d8][b]"So please, do not attempt to enter the city by force, or that is what you will be met with."[/b][/color]

He returned to the stone and wood structure, looking over his shoulder sadly at her. The note bore Lady Myra's seal on it, and it read, 

[i]"Rilana, I am passing this on through one of the only few I can trust. What he has said is true, but there are many that have been corrupted yet appear perfectly fine. Since you're reading this, you know of your mission now, of the Knights' mission. Go to where I taught you of ice bats, follow the clues, finish the mission. May your resolve be a glacier.

Myra [/i]

Rilana would only know of one such cave, a few hours away. The cave was home to the only known ice bat population, creatures that appeared like any other bat, with the exception that the males were glistening blue and females were white, but all were transparent. They did not feed upon insects though, but rather the seeds and sap of the many coniferous trees in the region. 

The only problem with such a cave was that the entrance was right in the middle of an Ice Giant village. The Ice Giants had always behaved as much as was required of them because they couldn't compare to the armies of the moon fey and chillborn. But if the capital was on lockdown, and the armies were unavailable, the giants would be wholly unpredictable. 

Their destination was the village of Jhrogramir. The population was several hundred giants, mostly herders and hunters. It was surrounded by wooden walls, always manned by sentries, to protect them from the dangers of the Frostfell. At the front gate, there were always four giants with massive clubs and swords and spears. Custom always dictated that only the leader of any group speak to the guards, and anyone else would result in an offense that usually ended with many pulverized bodies. 

The guards would ask those who approached, [color=8493ca][b]"Who you? What you want?"[/b][/color]