The first light of dawn seeped through the forest canopy, painting the edges of the horizon with streaks of gold and amber. The soft chirping of birds stirred Elysara from her sleep. She stretched within the confines of her bedroll, shaking off the lingering grogginess of the night. Across the tent, Aureth was already awake packing their belongings.
"Morning," Elysara mumbled, sitting up and rubbing her eyes.
"Morning, child," Aureth replied. "We've got a long way to Skarath, and we'll need to move swiftly if we want to reach the caves before the cold becomes too harsh."
Elysara nodded, the mention of Skarath bringing her fully awake. By mid-morning, they were on the road again, their grivolths carrying them steadily northward.
"We'll need to stock up before we reach Skarath," Aureth said, pulling her cloak tighter around her shoulders as a cold wind swept through the trees.
Elysara scanned the horizon, watching the landscape shift as the dense forests began to thin, giving way to rocky outcroppings and snow-dusted plains.
Two days passed in this manner, the chill worsening as they climbed higher into the northern terrain. It was late on the second day, as they paused near a frozen stream, that Elysara noticed movement in the distance… a faint figure trudging through the snow toward them.
At first, it was just a dark smudge against the endless white, but as it drew nearer, details began to take shape… a lone traveler, cloaked in heavy furs, trudging through the snow.
"Grandmother," Elysara called softly, straightening and nodding toward the figure.
Aureth joined her, narrowing her eyes against the glare of the snow. "Someone's coming," Elysara added.
"Could it be Alara?"
Aureth adjusted her cloak against the chilly wind and considered the figure for a long moment. "Could be," she said finally, "But there's only one way to find out, and I doubt it'll be the easy way."
Elysara frowned but didn't argue. They waited as the traveler drew closer, their posture tense and ready for anything. When the figure was close enough for their face to be visible, Elysara noted the dark hair tumbling wildly from beneath their hood.
"Who are you?" Aureth demanded fiercely, as the woman stopped a few paces away.
The woman's gaze flickered between them, assessing them. "Who's asking?" she said, her voice hoarse, as if she hadn't spoken in days.
Elysara tightened her grip on the strap of her bag.
"We're travelers," Aureth said, "We're looking for someone named Alara. Do you know her?"
The woman's jaw tightened, her eyes darting around as though searching for an escape route. "Never heard of her," she said flatly, but there was something in her voice… her response was too quick, too practiced… that made Elysara's suspicious.
Aureth raised an eyebrow. "You're lying," she said plainly.
The woman stiffened, her hand dropping to her side where a dagger rested, though she didn't draw it. "I don't know what you're talking about," she said.
Elysara stepped forward cautiously,"Wait," she said softly, meeting the woman's eyes. "You're like me, aren't you?"
The woman froze, her eyes narrowing as if trying to see understand Elysara's words. A long, tense silence stretched between them before she recognized the swirl of power around Elysara.
"You're a Songbearer," she murmured.
Elysara nodded. "And so are you."
The woman hesitated, her shoulders sagging under an invisible weight. Finally, she let out a weary sigh and stepped back, her hand falling away from her weapon. "I am," she admitted. "I'm Alara."
Aureth let out a breath. "Why the lies, then?" she asked sharply.
"Because being a Songbearer makes you a target," she said. "I've been in hiding for months, running from the assassins Laverna sent after me. I don't know who to trust anymore."
"You can trust us," Elysara said quietly, "We're here to stop this. To stop the Hunger. To stop Laverna ."
Alara studied her for a long moment, trying to decide whether to believe her. Finally, she gave a small, tired nod. "If that's true, then you'll need me," she said.
As they continued their journey toward the cold caves of Skarath, the snow fell thickly around them, and the cold seemed to seep into their very bones.
Elysara couldn't help but feel a flicker of hope, even amidst the chill. They had found another Songbearer despite everything, it felt like a step forward.
The sun hung low in the sky, casting long shadows across the frozen expanse. Snow crunched beneath their boots as Elysara, Aureth, and Alara continued their trek toward the cold caves of Skarath.
As they reached the crest of a snow-covered ridge, a distant roar shattered the stillness. Elysara froze, her heart hammering against her ribcage.
"What was that?" she whispered.
Another roar rang out, closer this time, followed by the sound of crashing ice and desperate screams. Without a word, the three of them broke into a run, hurrying toward the commotion.
A massive creature, its hulking form shrouded in mist and snow, loomed over a young man who was desperately dodging its attacks. The beast stood at least twice the height of a grivolth, with jagged, ice-covered scales. Its glowing, crimson eyes burned with primal rage, and its gaping jaw was lined with teeth as long as swords. Frost formed around its taloned feet, and its tail, spiked and barbed.
Aureth hissed under her breath. "A Crythadon,"
Elysara had heard stories of Crythadons. They were ancient, mystical creatures said to guard the icy reaches of Eldoria. They were thought to be nearly unstoppable, their strength rivaled only by their ferocity.
The young man dodged another swipe of the Crythadon's claws, but he was clearly struggling, his movements were sluggish. His sword glinted in his hand, but it looked almost laughable against the creature's massive form.
"He's going to get himself killed," Alara said.
"Not if we help him," Elysara shot back, already moving forward.
"Elysara, wait—" Aureth started, but it was too late.
Elysara darted down the ridge, her heart pounding as she drew the short blade from her belt. The others followed, their weapons ready as they charged toward the monstrous creature.
The Crythadon roared in challenge as it turned its glowing eyes toward them, its massive frame blocking out the sun.
Elysara gritted her teeth as she darted to one side, drawing the beast's attention away from the young man. The Crythadon lunged at her, its claws tearing through the snow as she narrowly dodged to safety.
Aureth and Alara struck from the sides, their attacks aimed at the creature's legs. The Crythadon roared in frustration, swinging its tail in a wide arc. Aureth ducked just in time, but the force of the wind sent her stumbling back.
"Hit its weak spots… the joints!" Aureth called out, as she tried to regain her balance.
The young man, now free from immediate danger, joined the fight. Together, they attacked in coordinated bursts, chipping away at the creature's defenses. Elysara felt a surge of energy building within her, she focused, channeling the energy into her blade.
"Now!" Aureth shouted.
Elysara lunged, driving her blade into the Crythadon's exposed joint. The creature let out an ear-splitting roar, its massive form shuddering as it staggered back. Alara and the young man pressed the advantage, landing blow after blow until the beast collapsed with a final, guttural cry.
Elysara's chest heaved as she stared at the fallen Crythadon.
"Are you all right?" she asked, turning to the young man.
He nodded. "Thanks to you. You saved my life."
Aureth approached, her sharp eyes studying him carefully. "Who are you?"
The young man hesitated, brushing a hand through his dark, snow-dusted hair. "My name is Rhysand" he said finally.
"Why are you out here alone, Rhysand?" Alara asked, her tone wary.
Rhysand's expression darkened. "I'm… searching for something," he said vaguely, avoiding their gazes.
Aureth frowned but didn't press further. "Well, it seems we're headed in the same direction. Skarath isn't far from here, and traveling alone in these lands isn't exactly wise."
Rhysand glanced at the fallen Crythadon and gave a wry smile. "Clearly."
"Let's move," Aureth said. "The caves aren't far, and the cold will only get worse."
As they set off toward Skarath, Rhysand fell into step with them. Elysara kept her guard up, because she couldn't shake the feeling that their encounter with Rhysand was no coincidence.