Taira had found her feet again, but tread carefully as she ascended further up the mountain. The water flow has eventually slowed to a very dangerous and slippery icy surface. She spoke back to Sabre who was treading carefully behind. "The knight we are seeking was at one time the leader of my father's council…" She took hold of a frozen tree as she pulled herself further up, the ice burning cold against her hands. "They should be able to help us and maybe reform the order which my father founded years ago." Sabre was still carefully watching behind them. An ambush was the last thing he wanted to worry about. Taira continued her story. "There were 5 knights of the order. Each was representing a different part of the kingdom. All of them were apparently so different in their own way. I was young and couldn't remember much about them… The only memory that I do is when all 5 members disbanded."

"They disbanded? All of them?"

"Yes…" She nodded, still trying to forge onwards. "My father's most trusted knight Lancelot and another knight… my cousin… Gawain had a rift which split the council almost down the middle. Seeing as Gawain was the king's… my father's nephew Lancelot grew sceptical and left the order for good… With such a big divide and tension between everyone, my father thought it best to disband the table before even greater rifts could happen. Both within the knights… and their respective lands."

"That's either Gawain or Lancelot out for a start then… No hope of them fighting if they haven't settled their differences." Sabre sighed from behind. Taira simply shook her head. "My hope is that they would have forgotten their quarrel and with the help of Percival who we seek will reunite them. After all, it was Percival who would lead the council when my father was not present. Her home is within these mountains: the Black Cauldron." she explained. "It's famous for its forges and iron works, hence making it a suitable home. As well as being the leader, she holds the holy grail and is a master of fire. If they can't help us… then nobody will." Sabre nodded in quiet admiration. "Control over fire… control over iron. If only my ancestors knew such magic as this."

"She is indeed formidable and an excellent reason as to why my father made her head of the table." The pair had since set foot on their first steps of snow as it crunched in a hollow manner beneath their feet. Taira eventually needed to come to rest, her stamina still suffering after the pair's encounter with the wraith-like creatures. Sabre came alongside and looked down to see her panting a little. "You hurt?"

"I… I'm fine." she flashed a short but determined smile in his direction "Don't fret…" she panted as she got to her feet again and started, although a little slower than before. "Just… too much chat and not enough walking!" Sabre raised a brow at her words. "Business as usual hm..? My heritage is certainly leaving it's mark on you it would seem. I'm sure my ancestors would smile upon such a frame of mind." She scoffed, her smile disappearing. "Heh… I say what I say not to please your dead relatives but to keep… Moving!" Sabres eyes widened a little and he sighed to himself as he shook his head. "Still so inexperienced…"

"Did you say something?"

"Nothing… Nothing at all. Just… please keep your eyes on the path. For BOTH our sakes." she rolled her eyes and groaned a little herself. "fine, fine… But I'm not stupid you know." she kept her eyes on the rocky track ahead. "I never said that you were stupid… Just green." Taira looked back at him, puzzled. "Green?" Sabre coughed under his breath. "Maybe I should take that back…" before looking to her again. "N…Never mind."

Taira continued to grumble under her breath and shook her head pressing on, the snow eventually getting deeper, and deeper. Sabre suddenly bumped into Taira who had stopped just in front of him! "Hey! What happened to a 'lack of progress'?"

"Because our destination is close." Taira pointed at him to turn around. On the horizon was the signs of a small settlement with glowing orange windows and the almost warming scent of smoke from a blacksmith… More than a blacksmith. A full fledged iron workshop! Sabre looked on in subtle awe. "Hmm…" Taira spoke up. "It appears the waters haven't reached it… I'm sure that Percival will have an explanation for it all" Sabre just nodded, a little unnerved himself. "Seemingly so… Given the sky has opened up spelling the end of the kingdom as we know it… This town looks remarkably… quiet."