[center][h1]Whiteside Village[/h1]
[h3]~ En Route ~[/h3]
[@Rune_Alchemist][@drewccapp][@Spanner][/center]

The rider let out a muffled groan as Lena pulled him away from the edge and began tending to his wounds. When he finally opened his bleary eyes to behold the regal elven beauty and her refreshing smile, for a moment, he believed he had already died, and some holy saintess had come from heaven to collect his soul.
The spreading warmth from her healing magic brought him back to reality however. While there was no pain, the bones and sinew stitching itself back together was a strange and uncomfortable feeling, like rocks grinding and snakes wriggling under his skin.

He shuffled back on instinct when the small fae creature fluttered out of his savior's armour. He was about to protest and begin reciting a protective chant, but the little fairy seemed more fixated on the elf's ample bosom than cursing him. If he were a little less sober, he'd probably be loudly praising them too. He was left speechless when his savior casually batted the fairy away like an annoying insect. He snorted a laugh at the comedic scene.

[b]"And here I thought I was done for. Elves, fairies... If you're willing to risk yourself to save me, you can't be too bad."[/b] A slight grin tugged on the edge of his lips. [b]"Strange maybe, but not bad."[/b] 

[b]"It seems you little fairy friend  is a live one. I appreciate you saving me, so I'll give you some advice: Don't let anyone around here see her. There's evil fae in these mountains who are all too happy to lead travelers astray and harass them until they starve or freeze to death. To tell the truth, I thought she [i]was[/i] one until she opened her mouth."[/b] He winced a little as he let out a quick chuckle; the nerves around his shoulder still ached. [b]"The evil ones aren't that talkative, but the people around here are the cautious type, and tend to stab first and ask questions later."[/b]

He leaned back groggily and took in a few deep breaths, still trying to calm the adrenaline rush. [b]"I'm Rath by the way."[/b] 

Before he could continue introductions, another elf approached, calmly retrieving his hat and satchel for him. He squinted up at the fellow, trying to look past the whitewash of sunlight shining through the heavy clouds and obscuring his features.

He looked over his satchel, inspecting it for damage. A few glances across the slope thankfully revealed nothing had fallen out of it. 
[b]"If you're looking for someplace safe and warm, then you've come to the exact [i]wrong[/i] place. Everything near the Frostfell is cold and barren. But... If you don't mind fighting someone for one of the good floor spots, the adventurer's lodge at Whiteside over there has a nice big fireplace."[/b] He pointed with his chin at the wooden log house perched in the center of the gully ahead.

Rath curiously looked over the two elves and at their other party member standing a distance away. 
[b]"You know... I'm a bit amazed you made it out this far without a guide. Maps are useless here. When the seasonal ice melts and the glaciers shift, everything changes. The safe paths disappear, and others open up. This trail is the only reliable path in and out of the mountains. It leads from Whiteside to the Giant Downs in the foothills below."[/b]

Rath caught sight of his mount and narrowed his eyes suspiciously. [i]Odd. For being the most rebellious stud in the stable, something has gotten him so scared he won't move.[/i] 
He hadn't noticed the fear magic at all really. His innate talent made him immune to magical fear effects.
[b]"I appreciate the help, but... if you don't mind my asking, what did you do to my horse? I've never seen him act like that."[/b]