The next day Irniq guided them to a building in the town centre. It turned out to be the local art shop. Before Kili could go crazy seeing all the objects gathered there, Fili pulled him into the room where the old woman as waiting for them. They glanced around the big room, clearly it was like a museum type of exhibition room, with traditional carpets. The three elders were waiting for them there.
"Sit down." She pointed towards the carpets around a traditional fire place.
"The Gods are in your favor, and demand we support you." She told them. "Our ancient spirits told me the mission you're undertaking is the first mission against our enemy which actually has a chance of success. But they warned me it will not be easy, and there is a great probably evil will win yet again."
"You will get any help we can offer. I will personally go, along with my granddaughter Quannik who is the next shaman in training. Irniq will represent the chief, and both our vampires are also at your service. When the time comes we will also select three strong warriors to join as well." She told them their decision. "If I understand correctly the mission is not going to take place this year, the spirits said next spring is the best time. My spirit guide, our last bear, said the beast is now dormant, and will remain dormant for the next year. He said we must get there before he awakes again and finds that you killed the last group he sent."
"We're really happy you decided to give us your support." Fili said slowly. "You will forever have our gratitude and friendship." He politely bowed his head.
"You are welcome to stay in our village as long as you like, tomorrow Irniq will take you into the mountains, and on Saturday Mike will fly you around without any cost." Savoy the leader decided. "I hope you will feel welcome here."
"Thank you." Kili said shyly. "Can I take a look at the art shop now?"
"Of course!" Silaluk smiled.
"Do you have an art shop as well?" Savoy asked curiously, and Nori began explaining about the shop and the internet shop.
"So you actually say it brings profit?" The man asked surprised.
"There are a lot of people buying now, traditional decorations are in fashion and many people do not have the time to visit shops." Nori told them, spending more time with Narvi gave him a bit of insight into the shop business. "I'll show you!" He smiled. "I just need a computer with internet."
"There is one in the office." Silaluk said and encouraged the wolf to show them the website.
"Do you mind if I take some photos?" Kili asked the chief. "Your patterns and designs are different from the ones from Erebor, and I'd like to show them to the boss of our shop."
"Please do." Savoy told them surprised the vampire as actually nice. "Is he always like that?" He asked the wolf in a trembling voice.
"Pretty much yeah, he's the nicest vampire out there." Fili told him with a kind smirk.
They stayed in the village three more days, Kili taking photos and making friends with the tribe, and Fili getting as much information about them possible.
The fourth day Mike flew them to Fairbanks and under Ori guidance then arrived in Birch Creek by plane. The town turned out even smaller than Noatak, and the population of Native Americans almost nonexistent. The local resident explained the Inuit have disappeared nearly a century ago. Under Ori instruction they headed for the last location in Alaska, pointed out as the probable tribe location.
The problem was it was inaccessible by any other means than foot. So they ended up flying to Bettles, repacking so that Kili and Bofur would carry most of their most needed possessions in two backpacks they bought on the spot, and as soon as they left urbanized area, the three shifters shifted to travel faster in animal form. Few tourists ventured into the park on foot, so they just booked a hotel room in Bettles, left their extra luggage and convinced the receptionist they will be back in a few days after a hiking trip. Kili made sure the guy bought the idea.
The area was breathtaking, but they weren't in search for beautiful views. According to Ori within the national park, there was a small reservation of Inuit living in a traditional ice based settlement. This was also one of the most recorded polar bear sighting spots. They travelled for nearly seven hours at the top speed the wolves and bear could mange before they got sight of the small settlement. It was a village on ice, build on the border of the forest and the ice going into the arctic. Some houses were typical wooden houses, but as the snow and ice took over they could see many igloos.
"So what now?" Kili asked his huge wolf.
We change into humans and walk up as humans. Fili replied.
"Just don't ruin your clothes, it's not like we got tones of things with us." Bofur scolded the shifters.
"Fine!" Fili smiled taking on his naked human form. His wolf metabolism made him less prone to feel the cold, Kili just smiled at him and pulled out some clothes and threw it his way.
"Do you think we'll be lucky this time?" Kili noticed grimly looking suspiciously at the town.
"What's the worse that could happen?" Bofur sniggered.
"Yeah, it's not like all tribes have ancient magical artifacts that hurt vampires…" Nori added with a grin pulling on his jeans.
"Let's go." Kili told them and slowly guided them down a safe path.
As they were coming near it was evident someone noticed their descent into the valley.
"They are very suspicious." Kili noticed.
"We're not going to have a warm welcome." Fili told them.
"Do you think this is the place?" Beorn asked Fili with narrow eyes.
"I'm not sure, something is blocking my view." He told them with a worried face.
"Standing here will get us nowhere." Nori mumbled and continued walking towards the people and village.
"It's very rare to see hikers in these parts." A native American greeted them. "Especially so lightly dressed, please come in for a cup of tea." He showed them the entrance to a small hut with a sign 'Chief'.
"Are you the chief of this tribe?" Fili asked curiously sitting down in the tiny living room.
"Yes, I am, and as chief it is my role to greet newcomers. Few people visit us out here, so it's funny we'd have so many visitors this week." The man explained. "My name is Ammagaruqnik which translates to arctic wolf, but most people call me Ruqnik."
"I'm Fili, and these are my friends Kili, Nori, Bofur and Beorn." Fili politely introduced them taking the cups of tea.
"Are you of native American origin?" The man asked looking at Beorn.
"Yes, I'm from the Carrock tribe." Beorn told him.
"So what brings you here?" The man's eyes were narrow and it didn't take a psychic to get he wasn't friendly.
Don't lie to him. Kili whispered to Fili. I have a feeling he will be able to tell a lie immediately.
"We're searching for a tribe worshiping polar bears." Fili slowly told the man heeding Kili's warning.
"You've found such a tribe, now what of it?" The man glanced at them seriously.
"We heard rumors." Fili admitted.
"About what?" The man insisted with some kind of urgency.
"That this might be the place where the polar bears still live." Fili finally said, after Kili pushed him to tell the truth.
"Polar bears are sighted here often." The man admitted.
He's toying with us, he know exactly what you were talking about. Kili noticed.
"We'd like to talk with them." Fili said slowly, he could sense the man become tense.
"How do you imagine talking to wild animals?" He glanced at them with some kind of weight in his eyes.
"You know what I mean." Fili told the man quietly.
"I think it's time to step out." The man told them with narrow eyes and a serious face.
Another fucking trap… Kili noticed. It's funny a mind reader and a psychic fall into traps all the time.
We're not focused and in sync after the last incident. Fili dryly realized.
"What good is a psychic if he keep leading us into traps?" Nori growled seeing the menacing group of people waiting for them outside.
"Oops." Fili noticed sending Nori a glare.
"They know too much about us, they cannot leave this place alive!" Ruqnik told the warriors gathered there.
"Just fucking great!" Bofur noticed. "Remember this, honesty never pays off!" He yelped and pulled Nori and Beorn onto the roof. In a split second Kili and Fili were up next to him.