Darticus is greeted by the large mountains. There was no sign of snow and the willows stood firmly and with great allure. Majestic! he thought. As he rode on the pathways cleared and letting the king ride on. As though they welcomed him with great warmth. Darticus got down from his horse and let it rest for a while. He looked up at the majestic mountains once again, Darticus. He goes next to the ear of the horse and talks to his companion. "To cross these mountains, it will take about three days," he said to the horse. The horse as though it understood what was said, nodded its head. Darticus adjusts his cape and gets on and proceeds to ride it! They ride through the pathways of the hills, first with great speed and then at a slower pace. The Mountain wears the strongest , the fastest , the bravest with equal justice. The winds which were blowing strong currents completely stopped. The grazing of the mountain animals could be heard, such was the silence. The swift movements of faster cats were not seen, but felt. Birds chirped away and the trees appeared to sing with them. It was a great dance of the mountains! They stopped at the cool springs to quench their thirst. Such fine water, Darticus thought as he sipped the springs with great amusement. He spoke praises of the mountains in front of him. "I don't remember feeling like a small child. The sheer size of these mountains make me look like an infant in comparison. And no people at all, the great peace it brings to me. A hardened warrior only knowing the ways of blood and fire. I hope one day I live here among these gentle giants" The ride continues , the breeze becomes colder and the suns warmth barely felt. "I surely cannot believe all this could be covered by snow" he said as he looked around the glorious nature that surrounded him. The mountains reached a great height of 10000 meters and then came down, so did the path. Follow the trajectory of the summit. Darticus climbs the mountains and it keeps getting steeper and steeper to climb. And so did the shortness of breath that occurred. But the king had lungs the size of a mammoth. As for his horse, it gasped now and then. The night dawned upon them and it looked like a billion stars covered it. The riders with the illumination of the stars that shone on their path, continued to ride. The roads which were once properly laid out ,now was filled with cracks and stones .The horse now felt very uncomfortable to make strides, but they went on. Deep into the night, Darticus almost half asleep woke up suddenly. His horse had stopped looking ahead he saw a great number of oaks dismembered on the ground! That is a shame, he thought. He scanned the environment and then stumbled upon a small path that led further into the mountains. To their right there lead a path, albeit a treacherous one. He turned the horse and made his way. The path was no wider than a feet in breadth. They continued to ride on and now the summit was visible. Far far away, the light of the closest moon shone brightly on top of the summit. As his horse slowly marched ahead in the deep trenches of the mountains, Darticus slowly fell asleep to the sound of the mountains. After a while so did his horse. In treacherous path, the two of them rested without the slightest consideration of the dangers that could lay ahead! The next morning. Darticus lay barely conscious submerged under a feet of snow. Gasping for breath he calls for help. He gains consciousness and loses it every other minute. No matter what I do its impossible for met to get up. The blanket of snow is too heavy for me to push through. Where is my horse? Is it possible for anyone to be close by? and even if they are can they see me? i do not think so! How has the snow come so early, was I lied to by by the North? Many doubts crossed his eroding mind. My time has come! He accepted his fate! Darticus closes his eyes and not expecting to open it again. Maybe an hour passes and he still lays there unconscious. A miracle happens. Darticus feels a bump as though he had stepped on a rock. He was being transported in a horse! Darticus does open his eyes. The mountains were blurred and the snow was looked like grains of salt. All he could make out was that he was on his horse laying sideways moving to someplace! Who were these people? how did they find me? Again the quesrions popped in his head. He shuts his eyes again. An hour or so passes. The warmth of the fire keeping his frozen foot woke him up. He opened his eyes and felt a shadow of his true self. When he woke up, he found himself in a cave hidden deep inside the mountains. There were a few Marakese around. As he lay there keeping himself warm the marakese came in and out trying to have a peek at the stranger! A few kids came in and played with the skull he had on his head, the children were quickly chased away by the elders. Did these people know how to speak? Darticus thought to himself as they only laughed and peaked. No one really spoke. Darticus smiles at the Marakese trying to be friendly with them. Who are these mountain people? I have never come across them, he wondered trying to pin their faces on a map. And then, The Chief enters the cave and takes a seat next to him. "Hello," said the Cheif. Oh very well, they are able to communicate . Darticus was relieved and tried to introduce himself. "We know who you are," said the cheif. Darticus got up and stood firm. "Do not worry"said the chief trying to make him comfortable. "We do not mean any harm" he further added trying to put the king at ease. "You are Darticus with the famous horse, all the lands know who you are," spoke the chief in a fashion only an old man could. Where is my horse? he asked the chief trying to regain his composure. "He is safe,he too recovering from the cold"assured the chief. "And you are?" asked Darticus well knowing that he was their chief. "We are the Marakese, the people of the mountains" replied the chief "The Marakese?", Darticus exclaimed with a touch of confusion. "I have heard of you" he said to the chief. "First of all, thank you for saving me," Darticus expressed his gratitude. The chief responds, "well it is our duty to save a king," "If I may?" asked the Marakese chief. "What is a king doing in the mountains and that too alone" Darticus responds "I'm on my way to the Northto meet the queen" Darticus has a look out. "The snow" he uttered in disbelief. "Yes, Yes"the Marakese chief Arakur said "the snow" "My name is Arakur" he introduced himself "I was told by the queen, the snow was to arrive only after a couple of weeks," said Darticus wasting no time and getting straight to the point. "The queen is feeble, but the general Klick is a wicked man" warned Arakur. "Klick?" Darticus asked him in a surprising manner. "Yes, he is abrute who wreaks havoc everywhere he goes" replied Arakur expressing his dire state. Maybe he is the one who Rylo encountered at Algreid was Darticus's impression. "Have they sent me off a trail, misguided. Did they know i would run into the snow Chief Arakur?" asked Darticus. They are known for their wicked ways, but the snow has arrived earlier than usual and heavier than usual. replied Arakur. "And the snow comes down all at once?" asked Darticus. "Yes, the snow comes down all at once" spoke Arakur like a true mountain man. "How did you find me?" Darticus asked Arakur. "It was your majestic horse which came running for help and we instantly recognized it" replied Arakur. "It is drawn in caves, the horse with the tuskers. It is of Mythical lore. All of the people know that it is ridden by the kings or men of true power. My Great Grandfather rode one," said Arakur as his face lit up. Perhaps a childhood memory that gave the old man a glimpse of his lost youth. "As for yhe people, it is the first time they see one" he paused" "Atleast for the most people" he said with a smile. "Come here, i will show you" he said to Darticus and took his hands and walked towards the corner of the caves. This part of the caves were dark and they needed to be lit with flames. A young man came from somewhere and held the fire shining it towards the walls. And Arakur explained the drawings. "Here, here" he said as his eyes gleamed with joy. "This is my grandfather riding a trojan". His eyes went wide and to be honest, it scared Darticus a bit. " Same like yours" he said. They walked away from the dWell i d not know about that , Darticus responds . I have a duty to fulfill and that's as far as it goes . The elders , uncle and father say what is best Is that so ? asks the wise Arakur . You know the mountains , he further adds They have made me wiser , and perceptible . Darticus does not speak , he waits for Arakur to continue . The ways of the north and the ways of your homes are not far away . He says How dare you ? Darticus Fumes Arakur does not say a word . I do not wish to see the wrath of Darticus and he walks away I will be out of here , Darticus shouts to the retreating Arakur As soon as the Snow clears , i will be out of here Arakur smiles , but his face is completely hidden for Darticus to read