"The shadow grows longer and the days grow darker. We look to the north with tepid eyes even while the snow runs red and the ground twists unto itself. Lo' and behold, the Tide is coming. And should we be found wanting, then that too, would be the flood that drowns us all."

- Deacon Francois Costas, Chapel Of Divines, Volksgrad, "Sermon"

Sophie swung her blade, bringing it down with enough speed to create a small gust of air that rustled the grass underneath. A measured blow, one done with precision in mind and with an apt amount of strength behind it. But still, it was flawed.

"Faster." Taurox growled from the side, "In the time it took for that swing, someone could've cut you thrice over by now. Quick, precise, and deadly. Lean into it."

She nodded mutely, acknowledging the command as she took a step back, readying herself for another flurry.

She circled back and poised herself, ignoring the strange glances around them.

Ebensfeld was an important enough town that it had its own, if admittedly rather small Adventurers Guild branch office. Thankfully, because the Lily Knights were registered, they also had more or less free range of the place barring the local branch's administrative offices. And according to guild standards, each guild branch had to have some training facility of sorts. For Ebensfeld, it was nothing more than a moderately sized courtyard that connected the main guild building with a separate town house, likely staff quarters. She hadn't expected much but this branch actually had quite a variety of training dummies, targets, practice weapons and clearly delineated dueling circles.

It helped that there weren't many parties operating around here, the amount of adventurers far lower than expected for a town of this size due to Grand Duke Platts. The local knight and militia were well drilled and trained, often taking the place of traditional adventuring parties or mercenaries when it came to solving problems with the local wildlife or monster attacks. Efficiency however, meant less work and pay. Something that was fortunately not a concern for the Lily Knights as they would only be transient visitors.

With Eva and the saints quartered at the local chapel, the inquisitors and templars sorted things out with the town authorities about the ambush. That gave the Lily Knights alongside Aleta some time to themselves. Elaria and Raylani performed at the inn in exchange for free room and board, Sophia served as the silent escort for Lady Lucinia as the Traxian went to buy any last minute supplies, Lady Aleta following the only other noble she knew like a lost puppy. A sight that reminded Sophie of her younger days with Eva. Ary meanwhile, travelled with Sigrid and Hanabi to sightsee a little, though the girl was disappointed when realizing that Sophie would not be joining them.

Sophie, for her part, was dragged away by Sir Taurox to practice. Her form immediately being found faulty amongst a plethora of other things.

"Regain your posture. Keep mobile. You've gotten too used to the Academy. Too rigid and formal, hah!" Taurox snorted derisively, "Do you still remember what I told you before?"

"To fight to my advantage, to be mobile and swift." Sophie half heartedly mumbled.

"Good. At least you know that much. But you're getting… hmm, not a formation fighter. But your movements, they're more wild than they are mobile. You need to be unpredictable, yes. But not to your own detriment." He growled, "You must be free like the wind, striking at every angle. Keep your opponent centered by being unreadable. Yet you must also know yourself. Know where to strike, how you will strike."

"Understood." Sophie replied with curt resolve.

In truth, she hadn't expected the minotaur to resume their training so abruptly. Yet it was a very simple phrase that had convinced her almost instantly. To keep them safe.

The command made her stand at attention almost immediately. While recent events have proven that not even Carrador was wholly safe. None of them, not even the minotaur expected that talks in Carrador would ever devolve into outright violence beyond verbal lashings. It was the trek through the Mistveil and Melton that worried her.

The destruction of Eichafen was naught but a distant memory and yet, only now that she had spent so much time around cities that she realized the monumental scale of the attack that would have taken place to overwhelm a city. Let alone a fortress city built for war. And though the church had claimed to have helped the Carradorian beat back the darkness, she could hear the implicit warning within Taurox's voice. Whatever that died was what could be seen and caught. No one knew what else might lurk in the shadows of the Mistveil.

Out of everywhere she'd been, it was the fog of the Mistveil that terrified her the most. While the ruins of the deep were certainly the most horrifying and twisted of them all, rivaling only that of Saclia and its occult ritual. The Mistveil was something different. A gnawing darkness at the edge of the psyche, the all consuming fog that draped over it causing one to lose their sense of direction.

What was even worse now was that South Eastern Melton, at least as far as Mila's recollection went, was a place ravaged by the civil war and plague. Where she had chased Annalise too before losing her trail entirely until Gratia. Why did Annalise find Pyra there was a different question entirely, but one that had Sophie worrying even more about what rotten pestilence might have taken hold of the region since then.

Taurox crossed his arms and motioned for her to continue. Sophie nodded and stepped forward, trying to keep her footwork in check as she engaged the training dummy. It wasn't much, but it was something. It also helped her avoid thinking about the fierce debate that she would find herself in once they reached Neun Carad. Goddess, and Eva too. I wonder how the Duke and Duchess will react, huh? Certainly less than pleased to see me, that's for sure. Heh.

"Distracted. Focus!" Taurox growled.

"Sorry, sorry." Sophie mumbled, snapped out of her musings.

"Pace yourself. No point rushing. Remember, be confusing to the enemy, not yourself."

Sophie buried her complaint and just nodded, readjusting her stance to better maneuver in the little courtyard. With her training blade raised, she darted forward into the attack, striking the dummy for naught more than a second before leaping back.

"Good. Good. Again." Taurox clapped.

Sophie bit back a sigh as well. Even now, there would be no rest. Though perhaps that was for the better.

"So what exactly do you think it might be?" Lucinia asked softly.

Sigrid trilled softly, her eyes narrowing at the others. Reluctantly, Yana fluttered atop Ary's head to hum out a few words in some esoteric language. The others tried to crowd around without squishing each other. Only Elaria seemed rather nonchalant, her sister always seeming ready for anything. Sophie was only a little jealous of how confident she was.

"Focus on Yana, even you, Aryana." The fae loudly proclaimed, shooting a small glare towards Ary who just giggled and continued nibbling away at a bowl of vegetable stew.

"I am, I am." The girl mumbled.

Sophie chuckled at the sight and ruffled Ary's hair, earning herself a soft growl.

"Alright, let's focus up people." Elaria interjected.

Seeing her Sophie grew a little bit more worried. Her sister was still smiling, but her eyes told a different story. A seriousness that Sophie only saw when something bothered her.

"There in the north, before we all set forth. Sigrid wants to make it known, of a warning that the world has grown. The darkness beyond the mountains, has sprouted forth like a fountain. And though it is but a trickle, we should not think it fickle." Yana began.

"The tide." Mila murmured from the sight.

"She believes that there is something watching, all because we go north looking. That there is danger to be found, in both the skies and the ground."

Sigrid let out a cautious trill, the mermaid giving off a low growl in support of the fae.

"In truth her opinions are ones which I share, so I say as Yana the fair." The fae proclaimed.

"So let me summarize," Elaria got ahead of the conversation, "She thinks that what could be the Dark has breached the Frostwinds?"

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Yana bobbed up and down.

"Hells below…" Mila cursed.

"Mila?" Sophie queried.

The inquisitor looked a little frazzled by the sudden information. The poor girl was already looking tired enough after meeting with local officials. This did not seem to improve her mood at all.

Besides them, the remaining members of the Lily Knights had gathered at Der Goldene Ernte with a tepid invitation extended to Eva and the saints as well. Though they hadn't shown up yet, Mila had said they would come eventually. In the meantime, the party snacked upon little soups and bread from the attached bakery. A hearty and warming snack that bolstered morale a little even if they gathered around to discuss far more dismal issues and worries.

Mila looked around the group and leaned forward, prompting a few of the others to do the same. In a low voice, the inquisitor's face twisted into a scowl and she sighed.

"I'll be the first to admit, I'm not exactly important in church hierarchy. But as far as I know, the Dark Tide shouldn't have formed in full yet. Nor should it have been able to take a foothold in the Frostwinds. You'll just have to trust me on this when I say that my studies within the church have covered such matters." Mila spoke softly, her gaze constantly darting between them and also at the room around to make sure no one was eavesdropping, "But we're going to the Frostwinds, right?"

A few people nodded.

"Then there should be a relatively large Inquisitorial and Templar presence around it. Part of why Lord von Krantz and you were there in the first place, right?" The girl looked towards the minotaur that towered over the table.

"I can neither confirm nor deny this notion without permission." He answered.

"Hah, fair enough. Regardless of that, the church presence there included my mentor, Lady Serilda. At least at the time."

"I remember her. Quite different from you." Lucinia mused.

"Much more cheerful." Elaria added.

"You guys looking to pick a fight?" Mila growled.

Elaria looked away innocently, the girl's carefreeness only making Mila's scowl deepen.

"Apologies." Lucinia replied more earnestly, calming the inquisitor.

"Ahem. Whatever the case, if Sigrid's senses are correct, then this trip to the Frostwinds will be far more risky, is what I'm trying to get at."

"It also means if we really are trying to search for a missing expedition and this ruin of yours, it'll be far more difficult. Let alone trying to account for supplies up there." Hanabi interjected with more practical concerns.

"I can help negotiate with the clans, as long as it's not my own. Hopefully." Ary tried to add, "And the druids did approve of Sophie as the flamekeeper at the clansmeet. That should stand for something."

"Former flamekeeper." Sophia added with a whisper.

"Pardon?"

"Former. You got rid of the flame spirit. And I doubt that the chief of yours is one to keep quiet about such things."

"Galen… ahh… he would be boasting about it, wouldn't he?" Ary frowned.

"Beats me, you know him best. But that'd be my guess."

I didn't even think about that, Sophie mumbled to herself.

That's because you just act and agree willy-nilly. Same reason why you'd just 'trust' this long lost centuries old sister spirit. Same reason why you just agreed back then without a second thought. Sophia chided her.

Sophie winced. Privacy, please.

Fine, but your physicality isn't the only thing that needs practice. Sophia huffed.

I get it, Sophie grumbled, now let's focus, please?

"... I should be able to ask the local agents about any potential contacts within these 'clans' instead, if worse comes to worse." Mila addressed the room.

Sophie only caught a bit of it thanks to Sophia's little comment. Though she could grab the gist of things, she couldn't help but feel a little miffed from the interruption. She shot Sophia a glare, one that her counterpart was all too ready to match. Perhaps even more intensely than Sophie had expected and enough to make her break the stalemate and conceding by looking away.

"Marduk's tribe, err, that is an orc retainer I had as part of my retinue. They are also operating within the region of Eastern Melton. So should it come to be, we could call upon them as well."

Though there was no suggestion to meet them or even an idea that they would be present. The mention of the orcish tribe sent a wave of negativity flooding into Sophie's mind. She tried to sneak a discreet look over at her twin and found Sophia failing to hide a barely disguised scowl of disdain.

"We'll keep that suggestion only if the situation devolves entirely." Sophie spoke up.

Mila turned and just arched an eyebrow, motioning for her to continue the thought.

"We've… " Sophie paused, trying to come up with a reasonable answer that didn't thrust her sister into the spotlight, "We've already told more than enough people about our plans… and while I would welcome additional help. I… I would prefer those in the know being kept on the lower end. Especially if things go wrong."

Mila frowned, but didn't question it.

"That makes sense. We've already announced our intentions to visit the Frostwinds. So far, anyone looking from the outside might think we're just on a trip to visit Ary's homeland." Elaria teased.

Ary only looked half enthused at the idea. Her mouth curled in anticipation of a smile that never quite showed itself. Her eyes briefly glanced at the others before abruptly darting away and towards the floor, almost like she was ashamed. Sophie could feel almost a tinge of sadness escaping from her frail form. Sophie reached over and Ary quietly grabbed onto her hand. The two give each other squeezes of support.

"Too much more and people might start asking questions we don't want them finding answers too. Yet." Elaria finished.

"I suppose that's fair. Fine." Mila sighed, "We'll try to keep the amount of people who know lower. After all, Orator Vitellus is already tacitly supporting us. That should be more than enough minus supply issues."

"Don't worry. I'll make sure to count everything properly." Lucinia mumbled.

"I have no doubts about that, Lady Lucinia."

The Traxian rolled her eyes but just leaned back in her chair instead of responding. Hanabi even risked giving her an encouraging pat. Making Lucinia scowl at the outlander, which only seemed to amuse the girl even more.

"Supplies aside, what exactly are you freaking out about, Mila? I don't think any of us here are idiots, you can speak in full." Elaria confronted the girl.

The inquisitor's nostrils flared as she bristled at the suddenly confrontational tone.

"What the hells is that supposed to mean?"

"Nothing rude, if that's what you're worried about." Elaria smirked with a mischievous twinkle in her eye.

But before the bard could continue her teasing, Raylani uncharacteristically coughed to garner everyone's attention. So strange and alien was the sound of her interrupting anyway that even Elaria seemed a bit surprised by the noise. Seeing that she now commanded the room, Raylani only now turned to seek permission from the bard. Elaria looked positively aghast and just half heartedly motioned for the dark elf to speak.

"I believe what my mistress is saying is that your initial reaction to Sigrid's worries seemed far more dire than the more mundane issues we might face would elicit." Raylani calmly informed the group.

"You don't have to call me mistress all the time." The bard mumbled under her breath. Raylani just cheekily shrugged, the closest thing Sophie had seen of her resembling a joke in a long time.

The others shared a quick murmur. Though Mila appeared relatively unfazed by the focus turned onto her.

"She's right though, you still seemed quite worried." Hanabi chimed in, "More than supply issues would suggest."

"But that is important! If we lack resources we could die up there." Mila grunted, seeing no one willing to expand upon the discussion, she sighed. "Look, fine. You got me, I'm more than worried about the Frostwinds. I'm damned terrified." She admitted.

That caught most of them off guard. The room waited in silence as that listened closely for the inquisitor's next proclamation.

"Supplies do matter. But maybe not in the way you think. Because if, if, Sigrid's portent is true. Then that means the Darkness will have begun infesting the Frostwinds. Eating away at its soul and twisting the very mountain itself into a blighted rotten hellscape. Stray off the beaten path, or wander into the wrong valley in search of this ruin of yours? Then remember the demon of Arteria? The one that required scores of soldiers and church support to subdue? The one that thrust you into this strange position in the first place?" She stared into Sophie's eyes.

Sophie shifted in her seat and nodded. Feeling awkward from the harshness of the inquisitor's gaze. Perhaps realizing that Sophie was unlikely to say anything, Mila continued.

"Then demons like that will just be a regular occurrence. And we're what? A half dozen fights and two noncombatants? Seven fighters if we include you, sir." Mila looked up towards the minotaur, "Any wrong turn, any wrong paths, hells wandering towards the wrong clan or mountain trail and we might run into the hells themselves. That's why I'm worried. That's why I want us to have as much information and knowledge before we go. So that we don't put ourselves at risk atop that damned mountain range." The girl hissed.

Her fears vocalized, Mila let out a small breath now that the true worries were on the table for others to discuss. Sophie could feel the air in the room shift a little as a few of them began considering the discomforting possibility that such things would even be encountered. Strangely though, she didn't get the same anxiety from them as Mila had shown. Instead, there were doubts, certainly, but also a strange sense of anticipation, particularly from Hanabi and Elaria.

"Whatever it might be, you'll do no good to your mental state to be worrying now." Sir Taurox finally chimed in, "Tackle one challenge at a time, hmm? Survive the political gauntlet of Neun Carad first. Once we're past that, the Mistveils, then Melton. Only then, will we face the Frostwinds. So clear your heads, steady your minds. There is still much to do."

The air hung heavy as they processed the words and warnings. But Sophie agreed with his assessment in that sense. They had more pressing matters than losing sleep over the Frostwinds. With a clap of her hands, she tried to defuse the tension in the air and return them to a slightly less dour atmosphere.

"Whatever the case, lets get back to our meals, shall? Lady Eva and the others will be joining us soon. Doubtless with even more for us to worry about then. So let's enjoy this time a little bit, hmm?" Sophie spoke up.

The others nodded or grunted their agreement. Ary even flashed an approving smile at Sophie for trying to lift their spirits. Sophie smiled back and sighed. Yeah, a long journey ahead. Huh.

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