Understand ahead of time that I have no practical experience with climbing mountains. My body has never been capable of such things, and I've never pretended otherwise. I can barely hike, and even then it's only for short distances. I'm going to do my best to offer an engaging trip up the mountain, in other words, but I make no promises to accuracy.
I ask any who read this with more knowledge of the sport than myself, please understand I'm not trying to act like I know what I'm talking about here. I'm just trying to paint pictures with words.
.
K'thax and Izh'val returned to the company carrying heavy sacks which jostled and clanged when set down. It became clear, as the two lizardfolk went about the business of sorting the equipment they'd brought, that the time had now come to climb the mountain.
They were strapping traction spikes to everyone's shoes when their proper escort arrived: two knights in gleaming platinum armor. The knights' faces were obscured by heavy helms bearing tails of bright crimson horsehair. Their tops were covered by breastplates embossed with the same lightning bolts that graced the lizardfolks' tabards. They wore heavy cloth wrapped about their waists that flowed down to their shins.
The knights clapped their boot-heels together.
"Hail," said one knight. "I am Sieglinde."
"I am Anri," said the other.
They removed their helms and tucked them under their arms. They had the look of twins. Both had the same heavy, chiseled, austere face, the same pale skin, the same bright amber eyes, and the same lustrous silver hair; the only divergence was that Sieglinde's hair was longer, and that Anri sported a meticulously trimmed beard.
"We will be escorting you," said Sieglinde. "While my brother and I will do our utmost to see to your safety, we must impress upon you the importance of caution. The Furious Lights are indiscriminate and will not know you from any other trespassers."
"We understand," Yuki said, as she took a heavy jacket from Izh'val and put it on.
"Upon our arrival at the summit, and Our Lady's lair," Anri said solemnly, "we shall speak first upon your behalf. We do not expect that you will know proper etiquette, for you have not lived here in this realm, but we must insist that you remember: you seek an audience with the crown sovereign of this place. Chosen though you be, she remains a queen."
"I understand," said Sotaro.
The knights favored the boy with gentle smiles. K'thax bundled him up with a heavy cloak and a thick scarf. "Very well," said Sieglinde. "Then all is in order. K'thax and Izh'val will prepare your kit for you, and then we begin this arduous journey by your leave." She gestured off to one side of the great stair. "Should you wish to rest, we can guide you to a guest house. However, we have been given reason to believe that your time is precious."
"True." Yuki nodded.
"Time isn't our ally," Kohaku put in. "I think it's best if we start now."
Sieglinde bowed her head. "As you please."
Wrapped in layers and layers, with ropes and slings and hooks and spikes, the small company was soon as ready to climb as any veteran sportsman, at least in terms of equipment. Their packs were secured and refilled, and while each privately believed that they looked ridiculous, they would never be accused of being unprepared.
As K'thax was handing ice axes to the adults, Anri eyed the group critically. "You seem in good health, and we have prepared you as best we can for the journey. Master Izh'val, if you could secure them to one another, such that we shall not lose anyone."
"As you say, Ser Anri."
"We will climb as quickly as we can," Sieglinde said softly, "in such manner as we can ensure your safety. I know not your expertise in traversing mountains in your living world, but given that His Highness is but a boy, my brother and I must insist upon an abundance of caution."
"Of course," Yuki said, her voice slightly muffled by a heavy mask.
"We've had plenty of experience hiking," Kohaku said, "but nothing like this."
"Thank you for your honesty," Anri said. "Very good. We will ask you, thus, to rely upon our expertise. Understand that we offer instruction not to belittle you, but to ensure your safety."
"Thank you, Masters Izh'val, K'thax," said Sieglinde. "Your work in this has finished."
The lizardfolk nodded, saluted, and shuffled back to their posts.
"Safe journey, Highness!" K'thax called.
"May your parley end in high spirits and victory!" Izh'val offered.
