It had been exciting at the start, of course. They had arrived back from Zefielia and found Seirune all in a buzz of preparation. Queen Naga, er, Gracia, could work fast when she wanted to, and now she wanted to very much. Five ships, the very best, were to go, and it went without saying that the five best captains and crew went with them, and the very best Admiral was going as well, to give overall command. Naga had even figured out ahead of time, all by herself, that the pole would be snowy and cold and had made what provision she could for warm clothing and sleds to transport the food and other supplies they'd need crossing the ice.
The travellers knew they really weren't prepared very well, but they had no information to go on beyond what was know about travel in the northern pole which was also ice covered. So all sorts of things were packed away that someone thought might be useful. And a large amount of gold was also shipped, the hope being that if they came upon friendly denizens of the region they might be able to purchase help and information. In the end, they had made the best preparation that they could and, when everything seemed right, they sailed away.
Due south their course lay, and due south they sailed. At first, well, after they got their sea legs and they were not queazy any more, it had been fun to sail, to sway to the rhythm of the majestic ship, and watch the friendly ocean swell and roll awsomely about them. The friendly sun shone overhead and the tang of the salt air was invigorating. Of course, that was before the friendly storms hit...
It was noticed almost daily that the weather kept getting warmer and warmer, and indeed after a little while the word was hot! Swelteringly so, but at least the ocean modified it somewhat and it was bearable. The boredom, already well set in, was another matter. But, there was nothing for it but to bear up and put up with it. What books Seirune had, that were found to have any information related to the quest, were stocked on board. And Lina had read each of them at least a dozen times. Heck she could quote some of them in her sleep, or so she joked when she sat to supper with her companions.
That event was rare enough, Zel kept himself busy as a crew member, and Filia was moody, doubtlessly worrying about Valgaav and the future. Lina tried to walk around as much as she could, to get in shape, She also took the task upon herself to play the naturalist and keep observations and notes, but she found her thoughts still tended towards magical uses and it was frustrating at times. But she kept her thoughts focused on writing an accurate journal, figuring the mental discipline might be of help.
After the weather, the most noticable change was in the stars. The familiar circumpolar ones sank lower and lower towards the north, while those of the ecliptic rose to straight overhead. And behind them, new stars were rising to fill the gap. Lina began to grasp the enormity of this thing called creation and was awe struck. "So much we didn't know, and we didn't even know that we didn't know it." she thought to herself. "Well, if I can get clean, or even if I can't, there is still a lifetime's work to do that has nothing to do with magic."
As the stars of the Zodiac passed overhead the weather was the hottest, but as they began to sink behind the little fleet it was noticed with relief that the weather began to cool again, and didn't keep heating until it would burn them, as some on board had feared. Now, if only they could be convinced that they wouldn't fall off the edge...
Eventually there came a day when they were far south and the persistent cold, in the air, in the water, even, it seemed, in their souls, gave them reason to think that their quest was about to end, as far as the sea was concerned, and was getting close to the time of the treck overland, or more to the point, over ice. Lina shivered violently as she watched the unfriendly swells roll up and down in front of the ship. Sometimes they broke over the bow, sending cold water everywhere.
And speaking of cold water, they had used up almost all their stock of drinking water and were making for land to find a refill. As they came up to the mouth of a river that looked promising they noticed there was a village on the shore. Lina went and said to the captain "I think that if we are going to get any information from the locals about what lies to the south, this is the place to do it." The captain nodded.
Some time later, Lina found herself in a boat being rowed to shore by several seamen. The fleet had used the gold wisely and negotiated permission to anchor and resupply from the local authorities and now, not only fresh water, but also fresh provisions of all sorts were being restocked on the ships. And the crew and passengers were enjoying some time off of the ships, on shore.
Or they would, if the ground would stop moving, thought Lina as she staggered around trying to get her land legs back. She just couldn't readily stop pitching herself from side to side in anticipation of a roll of the ships deck, which, being that they were on shore, just didn't come. She wandered, well, staggered, throught he streets of the town, trying to learn what she could, hoping not to make a spectacle of herself in the process. Without much success, as she did a glorious face plant on main street.
Kind hands picked her up and a kind voice asked if she was hurt. "N-no, thank you. I just can't walk straight after being on ship for so long..." she replied, dusting herself off. She then turned around and looked into a kindly pair of eyes so grey they were almost silver, eyes which were bubbling and merry, but which also had a profound depth to them that she had never seen before in her life. They took her breath quite away, and it was a long time before she realised he was handsom too.
"Uh, hi." she finally stuttered. "Thanks, um, I'm Lina, Lina Inverse." She didn't know why she felt so self concious around this man, it was as if he was staring into her soul.
But he just smiled and said "Call me Argentus, Lina Inverse. I am happy to make your aquaintance. So, you come with those ships do you? And why does a pretty lady travel so far? Fun? Adventure? Hmmm, but you seem too serious, ah but you have had a long voyage, yes? And you have just gotten off the ship and are still unused to the solid land again, yes? Tell me, have you eaten lately? That often helps."
Even as he asked, Lina's tummy gave a loud rumble as if in answer to the question. Lina's face went as red as her eyes as she stammered "Uh, I-I guess that's your answer, so uh, Mr. Argentus thanks again for your help, and if you just p-point out the restaurant or inn or whatever you have here, I'll take your advice..."
Argentus looked at her with an amused twinkle. "I'd be a cad and a bounder indeed if I let you stagger your way alone, now wouldn't I?" Here Lina, take my arm and I'll steady you, okay? Oh, and don't be formal, my name's just Argentus." Lina nodded and took his arm.
By the time they had made it to the inn Lina had decided that even if he wasn't Gourry he was still a nice arm to hang onto. They entered the dining area, and as with such places all over the world it was full of talking and happy eater, some from the ships crews. And over in the the corner? "Zel! Filia!" called out Lina happily. "Oh there are my friends!" she said, feeling better now. "Please come and meet them." "My pleasure." her companion replied, with a smile.
They came to the table and sat down and Lina made the introductions, frowning as Zel a bit as he cocked an eyeball at her and made an off handed comment about Lina's going "native". The small talk ensued and quickly enough they were relaxing around Argentus. He even took the liberty of ordering for them, explaining that they had less of an idea of the local specialties and if they would but trust him... Which they did, and their trust was well rewarded.
"Yummy!" said Lina as she dug into her plateful. "Food hasn't made me this happy since I don't know when! Probably when we were traveling together still, eh Zel? I'm going to have a triple helping of double portions of this! I probably won't get to eat this good again until we are done our mission..."
"Lina!" said Zel, a bit alarmed. "Oops..." said Lina, glancing over towards Argentus, who replied "Mission?" and cocked a curious eye at Lina. Lina sighed. "My mouth, the only thing on me that's big, has a history of getting me into trouble. I'm sorry, I'd rather not say."
"Oh," replied Argentus. "So then, are you saying that there is no use in my asking why a sorceress, a chimera, and a golden dragon in her human form want to go to the south pole?" Three jaws dropped and six eyes stared at him with a tinge of fear.
"Oh please..." Argentus went on. "The crews of your ships have been talking openly about the pole since they came ashore. Lina, you have a small but distinct burn on the back of your hand, a chemical burn, not one from heat. The sort of people who usually play around with such things are sorcerers. I could be wrong, maybe you make etchings in metal with an acid, but such people are usually too busy with their trade to go galavanting about on ships looking for the south pole. As for Zel's being a chimera, it is as plain as the stones on his blue face, and Filia's tail is showing a bit. It really wasn't that hard to figure out once I got to know you. You want to go to the south pole. The question is, well, first, why, and second, do you really know what you are doing? You seem terribly unprepared if you ask me. And you should, I've been there. More than once."
Filia blushed and tucked her tail in. "That damned thing, I can never remember to keep it fully hidden." she murmured. Zel's old instincts got the better of him and he threw his hood over his face. Lina looked at her hand. She had forgotten about that mark. Now she remembered, she had dropped a beaker when the reaction had unexpectedly boiled over on her. Somehow she had splashed her hand. It had hurt for weeks, but she hd learned to be more careful... careful... yes, careful with magic, but not of it. She hung her head as a fresh wave of helplessness washed over her. She gulped, and looked over to Argentus. "We have to find the pole." she said. "It's important."
The man looked at her and said "A bunch of ice and snow?" he said. Lina started. "We, we... we were sent to find someone. I know this is hard to understand... Argentus smiled. "Oh, you are after the Silver Lord. Interesting..."
Zel spoke up. "Can you tell us about him?" Argentus smiled. He replied "Well, not many have even heard the tale of the Silver Lord, and very few have ever looked for him. But I have been with several parties that have gone to the south, and all they have reported was ice and snow. Why do you think that you will find anything different?"
Lina looked around, feeling a bit hopeless. Filia was worried, and Zel put it into words. "Please don't tell me this whole adventure was just to chase a story."
Lina replied "No, no we aren't, remember? You were there when Beastmaster herself told me to go, and then my sister Luna tapped Ceiphied's memories too. They both said there was something there."
"Well, but how could the other parties have only found ice and snow?" asked Filia with concern.
Lina thought for a minute then said "Remember what Luna said? "Seek and ye shall find, knock and the door shall be opened unto you, ask and ye shall receive."" She turned to Argentus and asked "Were your groups looking for the Silver Lord, or just the pole?"
Argentus smiled and replied "They sought the pole, and found it. You are right though, they did not seek the Silver Lord. Hmmm, perhaps you will be able to find him after all Lina Inverse. If you survive the trip. Tell me about your preparations." They did. He looked thoughtful and then said "Do you have a guide?" The answere was no. "You do now." he said. "Or you will be dead in three days, before you've made your first ten miles. How say you?"
Zel spoke first. "One thing we fear is a mazoku trap. How do we know you aren't part of it?"
"You don't." replied Argentus simply. He then added "But you have a golden dragon with you, tell me Filia, do I smell of mazoku?"
Filia shook her head and said "No, you don't. But how do we know you know the way to the pole?"
Argentus smiled. "Again, you don't, but why should I lie?" He held out his hands, big, well muscled, obviously used to work and weather. "These are not the hands of an idle boaster. They know work and they know cold. They have been to the pole you seek. You can ask around in the village if you like. Pay attention as you do, you will find that the people here make their living from the ice and the seas. We often go south for our fish and other food. We know the ice, as sailors and as explorers. You will see we have no reason to lie. And you will have time to ask, there is a squall coming in off of the sea, you will not be going anywhere tommorrow. I recommend you eat and sleep and talk and think, and plan. We can talk again tommorrow evening. For tonight, I have given you enough to think upon, and you need time to talk this over amongst yourselves, so I shall say "Good evening" and also "Until we meet again."" With that he smiled warmly, got up, and after a bow, left the group at the table to talk things over.
