The main castle was broken up, in to several sections, each room backed on to each other and was a circle in shape, to reach any room of the bottom floor you would have to leave one and walk around to the doors on the cosponsoring side. Elizabeth and Alistair where in the library wile the Gnarg sat in the corner laying down like a lap dog. The room itself was coated in books as the walls themselves where made in to book shelves, wile the centre of them held a large table that had a map. It covered a large majority of the snow capped area sounding the city, with area's of middle earth coming up form the south of the map. Alistair was converting the map, as Elizabeth ran her hands over the many crudely bound books on the shelf's.
"What can be done about the cold?" asked Elizabeth, braking the ice as she snapped the book shut and put it back.
"No short term plan will work." Alistair relied scanning the map.
"Then what can we do?" she asked coming over to join him.
"Has the map been updated."
"No, there's nothing to update. How does that help are current problem."
"If anything new came to light, we might have had something to use."
"And we don't."
"Well then, the only option we have at the moment is to work on cutting of each the pits to their own smaller sections and make sure we add more doors to keep out the added cold."
"How long will it all take?" she asked the concern on her face growing.
"To long." he said shaking his head "We've dug to much in to the pits to resolve it now, it will take planning and time. And we need a quick fix, and we need it now"
"What about the sliver, can we not use it to craft a weapon and embody it with the girt of fire."
"There's little to no left." he sighed. "Not enough to craft even a dagger anyway."
"What happened to it all."
"The one for all policy, has driven most of the silver we had to the public hands, and due to rising cost of food and the shortage of it as forced our hand to give it away, and even now they have little to spare."
Elizabeth spun around and smacked the book shelf fiercely, Gnarg shot up and looked at her.
"The only way forward is the south lands." offered up Alistair.
"No one's been there since our ancestors." she reasoned spinning back around.
"That's where the sliver first came from, taken from those who could spare it."
"You don't believe that do you, who would give up sliver." she sniggered.
"Well it's our only chance, we need that sliver, and we need it fast." he demanded.
"What about the White Guardian."
"Dissolved to legend, he is most likely dead." nodded Alistair sadly as he turned to leave.
Elizabeth searched her mind for more answers, but before she was able to rebuttal the doors slammed open and called to their attention to the freezing air coming form the now open doorway. Gnarg jumped to arms and threw him self in front of Elizabeth, who put out her hand as she stepped in front of him to calm him down. As the commotion lessened they found standing before them was Davin and Daven, as Theodore stumbled up the stairs behind them. Falling on his face he reached for his helmet that had dislodged and picked it up and re applied it before he tried to speak.
"What is that?" asked Elizabeth making her way over.
Everything around them seemed to slow as she reached out in her slow walk.
"They fled the pits, I tried to…" started Theodore.
"Not now." said Elizabeth sternly silencing him. "Where did you get this?" she asked taking the Gnarg form their hands.
"The pits the two replied."
Backing away she cradled it as she spun around and returned to the map table.
"How long ago did you find it?" asked Alistair.
"Not long, we came straight here after we found it." Davin explained.
"Okay." said Elizabeth as she swallowed the Snarlg hole. "Things are getting more serious, we need to fix his now."
"Then we are going to need the silver." injected Alistair. "And this requires intimidate action."
"Alistair, you start of the getting the arrangements for the pits, I'll lead…"
"NO." Snapped Alistair "Your little expatiations have lead us to this exact problem, you need to stay here lead your people."
"They don't need a leader." she protested.
"Do you know why both your parents gave up their lives to feed you."
Elizabeth looked away.
"They knew one parent would not be enough as is the always the case, but to make sure the people would have more food they both gave their lives to feed you."
"I never asked for them to give up their lives to feed me, but they knew that they weren't needed, no more then I am."
"But we do need you." said Theodore trying to get thorough Davin and Daven.
"Elizabeth." said Alistair "I raised you since your mother gave up her life to feed you, and if you want I can't stop you from travelling to the south lands and hunting down that silver." He moved closer to her and rested his hand on her shoulder. "But I can advise the people in your place."
"Thank you." she smiled weakly.
"I'll continue running things, in your name, and take care of the problem's at hand."
"Good, me and Gnarg will set of immediately."
"No, you can't go alone." Insisted Theodore.
The two brothers stepped aside allowing him, but he only feel to the floor and then staggered to his feet.
"He's right." agreed Alistair. "You can't go alone, for more then one reason." he moved over to the shelf and pulled a book off. "In order to secure the pit's heat, you'll need to embed the tool with magic."
"No, you know he's an idiot."
"He's the only Artefacter we have, and unless you find the White Guardian…"
"Okay I get it, I'll go see him."
"Good, and take a guard with you."
"I'd rather not, best not let the others out side know who I am."
"Then you better get slithering." said Alistair, "As you for two, get back to the pits and you, guard. Back to your post."
The brothers turned around and left, and Theodore just stood around as they all left, one by one trailing down the stairs as they entered the city.
The tower sat protruding out of the mountain range, of the edge of the city, sporting the same rounded roof as the castle. It stood isolated and alone, as it's icy form rose up it looked over the city, as those below went about their day as Queen and court left the library.
Looking over his books the Artefacter hurryingly raced though the pages as he walked around his small room. Coated in shelf's holding bottles and potions, book shelf's with tombs upon tombs, a cauldron that is filled with bubbling brew, and a single window that gave a limited view out side.
Walking around in his black robes, his orange scales contrasted against it, in one annoyed swung back he put the book back on the shelf. Grabbing his chard black staff forged form wood leaning against the wall, with an orange orb applied to the top, with the wood of the staff reaching around to hold the orb in place.
Rushing to the stairs that curved down, he stopped at the narrow door and looked back before going in and grabbing the same book as before and then went to shelf and grabbed a small cloth bag, before returning with great haste to the stairs.
Trailing down he passed many other doors and rooms inside the tower that offered up bedding, a kitchen and many other home needs. Reaching the bottom he swung open the door and found himself before the queen.
"Queen Elizabeth." he gasped "I mean my queen." he corrected before bowing "Why are you here?"
"I need your help."
"With what?" he asked.
"Can I come in first?"
"Oh of course." he said stepping to one side as he gripped the door.
Stepping in Elizabeth spun around and so he closed the door behind her.
"Vincent, you are our only Artefacter." she started "So you have access to the magic tomb."
"Well yes…"
"I'm going to need your help in using it."
"My help." he spluttered "I can't even use this stupid conduit, with out it blowing up in my face, that's why I stopped wearing orange."
"Look, I need you to accompany me to the south lands."
"Is this to do with the, uh?" he asked nervously.
"Yes." she sighed.
He took a deep breath "How can I help?"
The noise of the conversation carried out side just past the wood of the door.
Out side Theodore was stalking the streets as he tried to move like the wind seamlessly moving with out being seen, but as he tried to he stuck out so much that Davin and Daven saw him as he skulked around.
"What's the little snake up to now?" wondered Daven.
"Don't be venomous." said Davin.
"Come on lets see what he's doing." he said racing off.
"Daven wait?" called his brother giving chase.
The two moved in closer to Theodore as he came up the stairs that lead to the tunnel that gave access to the tower and artefacts that lay with in. Listing in he heard the words carry though the wooden door.
"What you doing?" asked Daven smugly.
Jumping back he composed himself as not to fall over before addressing Daven "What are you doing here, get back to work." he insisted, hand waving them away.
"Us, you should be back at your post." Rebuttaled Davin.
The two began to argue unaware that laying by the stone curled up was Snarlg, he started becoming aware of the company. Standing up he grew to his full hight standing on his hind legs to the hight of a man, now standing up straight and leaned in as he snarled at the bothers and Theodore. The noise was great enough to be heard over the conversation tacking place just past the door.
Swinging open Elizabeth looked down at the trio, who's faces all seemly sank at ounce after seeing her scowl at them. The brother's fled back in to the city before she could speak, but Theodore just turned to address the queen.
"I thought I told you to get back to your post." she grunted.
"Yes I know, but I want to help you." he said "I want to go with you to the south lands."
"Get back to your post." snapped Elizabeth slamming the door closed.
Still looking at the door, defeat slowly seemed in and so Theodore backed down slowly, watching as Snarlg stood eyeing him up with his smooth face as he climbed the stairs hunching back over to stand on guard duty. After Theodore backed away enough to meet with the street's he was bumped in to by passing Dragon-Kinn and so returned in to the city.
Elizabeth seemed to be cooling down as she took a breath as he scowl slowly faded as she leaned on the door.
"What was that bout?" asked Vincent.
"Nothing, lets get the the vault." she said spinning around.
"Okay, but if we are going to do this won't we need what little sliver we have?"
"Good point." she said, before swinging the door open. "Snarlg." she called.
The Gnarg swung around and tilted his head.
"I need you to do something for me."
On one of higher floor's that goes deeper in the mountain sits the artefact vault, made from great stone of the mountain itself, the room was built to be secure form all things. It's slanted stone shelves hold great weapons and other tools along with maps and things form the days of old all on display.
The large stone doors where pushed open, and as they where scrapped across the floor sparks flew form short glimpse and fell though grate in the floor, landing of set of fire stones in the floor they burst to light. The stones lead around in maze like shape with glass keeping them in view with out disrupting the floor, that allowed the light to pass though and light up the room.
"Here it is, every peace of magic, or relic our forbearer's gathered from the likes of the south." said Vincent stepping in.
Elizabeth stepped in after him looked around stunned by the like of what lined the walls.
"If we are going to leave home, we'd better carry some protection and other things that might be useful." he said walking over to a map.
The poor script and images made a crude map of middle earth. Elizabeth kept snapping her gaze around the room trying to take in all that the room held, before being drawn to one thing in particular.
"What are these?" she asked being drawn to a set of sliver weapons, one blade and one bow.
"Oh those are the weapons of frost." said Vincent walking over towards them. Picking one the blade in his hands "Crafted form the very silver we seek, these weapons are embodied with the power of ice and snow which is shown in their design and in their very core."
Elizabeth picked up the bow and ran her hand over it's smooth body, that had seemed to have a snow and ice theme running though it's engraved design.
"Said to carry the power to freeze enemies both are useless in the city."
"Well where we are going it's a dam sight warmer." she said taking both.
"Yes, well, if your satisfied, then."
Wait what about you?" she asked.
"Oh I'll carry my staff, but along with the black blade."
"The what?"
Vincent moved over a blade made of a black metal, and picked it up, only for it to be to heavy for him to hold and it pulled him down.
"Here let me." she offered reaching out her hand.
"No I've got it." he said putting both hands on the weapon he was bale to hold it up right.
"You can't hold both of them?"
"I only need to sheet it, and after we see a visit to the armoury, we can get enough seethes to hold are weapons wile keeping our hands free."
"Should I carry it until then."
"If you wouldn't mind."
Handing over the blade she missed handed it and cut the scales letting blood loose, letting it clang to the floor with the ice blade and bow.
"What was that, no Vipera-Berus blade can cut though our scales."
"Alas the blade is not Vipera-Berus mad, but that of man."
"Why would you bring such a weapon."
"To be honest, the dragons of the north aren't the only thing it can cut though, besides out own scales of course."
"Then what?"
"That's of yet has to be seen."
Recovering her composition she picked up the weapons.
"Shall we?" he offered.
She only nodded and the two left.
Back in the City Snarlg was wadding though the city now decked out set of greyed out amour dragging a large mace behind him, as it scratched the stone floor. On his back was travel bag where a jingle was coming from, Snarl moved around keeping the bag close to his person, showing teeth to anyone who looked his way. Winding though the city he came to a halt as a group of Dragon-Kinn blocked his path, tilting his head and snarled slightly, before a hand ran over his back and he looked up to see Elizabeth and Vincent had joined him.
Both now bore a sheathe where their chosen blade sat with only the hilt on show, wile Vincent's robes hid the sheathe hid his sword, Elizabeth's cloak did not, but it did hide her royal garments that carried the green and gold crest.
"Are you so no will kn ow what we've done." she said stiffly.
"That does not matter, we have to make sure our departure is inconspicuous."
"Yeah the queen, her Snarlg and the Artefacter aren't going to stand out." she pointed out
"I could use a clocking spell, to draw their gaze away."
"Lest just go."
Nodding in agreement they set of and pushed past the gathered Dragon-Kinn.
"Watch it." they yelled before going back to their congregation.
They carried on keeping to the lower stone levels of the city, their hoods and cloaks acting as way to hide their faces.
Arriving at the steps leading up to the tunnel they stopped and looked back.
"This is the dying cities only hope." said Vincent. "Now everyone take a fire stone, your Snarlg will need two, three at the most." he said handing them out.
Elisabeth took both hers and Gnarg's for the time being. "How do we light them up."
"That part's simple, we don't." Answered Vincent "The stones only need be kept warm to to generate heat."
"So how do we do that?"
"Wile your Gnarg…"
"His name is Snarlg." she corrected.
Sorry wile Snarlg has warm blood, his body will emit enough heat when help close and the stones will keep him warm."
"And for us."
"Venom."
Nodding the three climbed the stairs made for the tunnel.
It's long hall grew colder and colder, and soon Snarlg was slowing and huddling himself up.
"What's happing?" panicked Elisabeth.
"As I feared, Snarlg as other Gnarg's can not survive out side the city, as it becomes to cold, he will have to use his stones know to keep him warm enough to survive the journey."
Elizabeth got out his three stones and put them near his chest. "Keep them with you." she said putting his hand over them.
The stones glowed, the smooth black surface was broken up as sections of tinted orange quartz began to glow.
"Come on." said Vincent "Those stones won't last him forever."
Helping Snarlg up, he held the stones close was back up to his hunch over self. The three then hurried though the tunnel taking a u shape bend out in to the blizzard filled waste lands.
"Which way?" called Elizabeth.
Jutting out his staff Vincent shot a beam of orange light and it cleared a area around them, then with his other hand took out the map.
His eyes scanned it vigorously. "We'll head south, buy south west, it'll take us to the first settlement out side the snow's borders." he called back.
The light on the staff dimmed and the force of the wind hit them all, standing tall with his staff out he was knocked back in to the rock by the winds.
"Vincent?" Shrieked Elizabeth.
Standing up he got back to his feet. "Come on this way." he said as started to lead them on.
The bitter cold attacked their cloaks and tried to force them down as they trudged on, but the bitter cold was not so bad they they needed the fire stones.