Location The Icewall Gates

[Nivex]

Nivex caught the sight of the shimmering entrance from afar. The gate was familiar to her, and though most people sought it as a beautiful piece of work, she always shrugged it off as merely just a gate.

Heh, I got to admit, though. After not being here for so long, it can be quite mesmerizing. I guess those fancy Avanthal artists must be doing something right.

It was probably the first time NIvex had ever given the people of the city any credit, but she shrugged it off and continued her way, shielding her eyes from the rising sun. Nivex began to climb the ice-looking steps one by one, tugging her muffler close to keep warmth. Passing the bears without even a nod, Nivex nearly ran into the city.

At last, after such a long time being away, she was finally home again.

[Adairia]

Adairia giggled as she ran to the gates, she had escape the hold for a bit and wanted to see if any one new was coming through the gates. Although she had seen the gates all her life she loved to stop and marvel at there beauty.
Adairia softly stroked one before she sat down to watch for new comers.

With a sigh Adairia went back into the city it seemed to be a slow day no one to thrill her with new characters for her stories. She just have to make do with the people inside the city, they were always exciting.

[Stitch]

60th of Winter, 510 AV. It was a particularly cold morning in Avanthal, snow and wind beating at the edge of the city. The storm was barely going to skirt them, just missing the gates by a a mile or so. But a minor reprive from one little storm barely mattered. There would be another one along in a matter of minutes, and that one would hit them full force. That wouldn't really matter that much either. Winter storms were a way of life in Taldera, especially within Avanthal. A dark cloaked figure approached the Gates, riding a oale graty horse. His shivering body was shaking with enough of a tremor to cause his cloak and hood to shake as well, although his mount seemed quite comfortable with the weather. Anyone who glanced at her would instantly realize that she had a least a little Frostmarch in her. The guards at the Gates instantly moved forward with concern, eyes on the poor figure, hands reaching out to catch his cold body as he slipped from the horse. He had a companion riding his mount as well, one who seem unaffected by the cold. A shorter being who was cloaked all the same, but who sat steadily, the cold wind not bothering her a bit. The guards helped the shivering figure to the gates, leaning him against the warm fur of one of the polar bears. He resisted for a short bit, starting at the sight of the giant creatures, but then eventually settled against the heated being. The bear snorted a bit, shaking his head, perhaps laughing at this poor creature who couldn't stand the cold. What was he doing in Taldera if he couldn't handle a little bit of wind? After a few moments of rest, the shivering cloak staggered up and off the side of the polar bear, nodding his thanks to the guards. His cloaked companion watched on silently, a dark statue against a backdrop of raging snow and wind. The guards seem concerned about his wellbeing, but didn't move to stop him from continuing. The city was probably the safest place for him at this point. At least he could find a little shelter from the storm. He took some time to ask them a few questions, and they happily answered, pointing him in the correct direction. Motioning to the horse, he continued on, his companion and steed following him into the city.

[Evandro Stormstrider]

7th of Winter. 510 AV.

Atop his strider Evandro rode the way to Avanthal. He'd left his home in Cyphrus quite a while ago and deciding to go as far as he could Evandro headed to the icy city. The journey had been difficult and... well, cold. His horse rode without a saddle and without a blanket which might've seemed odd to a passerby but to Evandro it made perfect sense. Drykas never wore saddles, opting for their yvas instead. And as for the blanket, it was a common misconception that horses needed such things. People often pitied their mounts thinking the cold was too harsh for their bodies to handle. That would be true if the horse was being kept in a stable all year round but horses were made to roam, and they were made to live outdoors and when they were allowed to horses could stand up to temperature that dropped extremely low. All that was needed was time to adapt to the temperature and grow out a longer coat, both of which Tempest had. So long as it didn't begin to rain hard, the mare would be fine. Plus, running kept her temperature up.

Evandro leaned in closer to his mount as she galloped towards the city. "Almost there. Just a bit more."

Once they'd reached the gates the Drykas nodded to the guards, slowly entering the city and marveling at its beauty.

[Malia]

Timestamp: 60th of Winter, 510 AV

She came with the human, holding on to his shivering body in front of her and wrapping her legs around the horse’s belly. It was obvious that she wasn’t trained one bit in riding horses, but from the long journey through Taldera she had developed a technique to sit behind the saddle with relative ease. At least she had adjusted enough to not have any aching muscles or awkward tension in her legs.

The cold and the wind didn’t bother her one bit. Although she felt its muted repercussions on her skin, her sensitivity was only a blurred version of the pulsers’ senses. She did worry about the state of her body, though. The constant wind dried her skin pretty quickly. Fortunately she had taken a small collection of healthy oils and skin creams with her to keep her body from aging too quickly. She had regularly rubbed those oils and creams into her skin, especially hands and face. Physical health was very important to her. Even as they were passing the guards, a faint scent of herbs and some pleasant perfume like vanilla or cinnamon radiated around the cloaked person. Although her face was hidden in a hood’s shadow, the shapes under the fabric made it easy to identify her as a woman. A little fragile she seemed to be, but walked with the strength of an experienced traveler. She had had enough time to let her muscles adjust to the daily struggle in the wilderness.

When the guards took care of her companion, leaning him against the warm fur of a giant polar bear, the woman watched. She didn’t move, although pale fingers twitched. Wandering after the shivering person, she felt the heat radiating from the bear. The kind of heat a living being created, that was something she couldn’t provide her companion with.

When he seemed to have recovered a bit, she approached him. She acted like she was but his shadow, a person of no importance of her own. However, she closely listened to the instructions he received. This city was unknown to her as well, so she memorized every bit of information. Then she followed her companion deeper into the icy settlement.

[Sairque]

5 Winter, 510 AV, Afternoon

The Icewall dully shone under the weak Winter light, the particular quality of it's coloring and composition distinguishing it from the white waste surrounding the city. After the rough mistreatment she'd already suffered at the hands of this land, Sai couldn't muster up the wonder to admire the structure. That and she didn't know what kind of people were stupid enough to build a city wall out of ice. Did these people not have fire capabilities? Surely there was fuel, if frozen.

Dispelling the uncharitable thought in favor of finding a place...Yes, they had fire capabilities.

That has to be it, she suggested and received a 'grunt' of acknowledgement. The Valintar had told her that Fen would light a fire to attract her, and as there were none outside the city walls, and only one massive one inside, voila.

Disinterested in the workings of city gates, or making a splash, Sai and Catabasis passed over the long, tall defense structure hundreds of feet overhead. The massive Eagle, mute black feathers helping the weak sun bring his volcanic red streaks to life, set about circling the city in descent. His sharp yellow eyes scoured the citizens scurrying below, keeping tabs on the ones that noticed himself and his Rider, especially those with range weapons. There was certainly enough room to land near the big blaze, but he took his time getting there. Not only was he uncomfortable at being in such risk, he had stopped caring about their mission several days before.

His job was at home. Skyinarta. He had things to guard, people to take care of. His place was with his kind, with his brethren. Not these snowmuffins with their white bears. And not with any stray Inartan glassblower that had forsaken his duties, his people, his home.

He couldn't ignore the solid steel determination resonating within his bonded, and the funk receded. Sai's brilliant yellow eyes were just as busily scouring the area now that they were within a close enough distance. They rode bears! and...were bundled up! Fenilen was down there somewhere, waiting. Their spiral had tightened around the blaze, a stray air stream catching them and throwing them into the warm updraft created by the fire. It was almost like being back home, exposed volcanic vents providing constant heat and energy. Both of them melted in relief and rode the heat in sharp ascent. And again. And again. And again. Diving down at breakneck speeds to bank tightly and use the column for lift. They played in it for upwards of half a bell, moods greatly restored, before finally turning back to their reason for visiting the snowy city.

[Rose Darkheart]

Time stamp: 511, 10th day of spring; Midday

Location: The Icewall Gates.

It was lightly snowing when rose approached the icy gates the midday sun was shining on her, The dark blob that was her shadow was beneath her feet and moved with her as she approached the gates shivering from Talderas endless winter cold. But all knew that Taldera is a frozen country and those who choose to travel to it or through it should understand the dangers if a blizzard hits.

Blizzards can occur once in a while in the region of Taldera the best way to tell if there is going to be one is by looking for fog sweeping over the land, the sun being clouded with a gray sky and a large drop in temperature, Today the sun was shining bright and there should not be any Intent storm or at least there should not be. Rose stopped just at the gates arch looking up at the tall icewall the sun reflected against it and shined into her eyes as she stared.

After a few minutes Rose started to feel inattentive just standing there, She looked at the two icewatch guards that seemed not to care if she just stood there. Yet she felt embarrassed feeling like everyone was staring at her for being a nuisance by standing in the middle of the road, Regardless no one was around besides the two icewatch. It was kind of silly how she would think every one was pointing fingers and laughing at her, As she made a awkward leave by running pass the gates and towards the city of Avanthal almost hiding her face from there her goal was clear; Head to the Red Diamond Tavern rent a room and stay there for a few days.

[E'isi]

Time Stamp: Early morning, 511 A.V. 11th day of Spring The snow softly blew up from the frozen ground, creating soft swirls of glitter in the sky. Two towering gates appeared, tall and icy, it looked as if they reached the sky. For the young Konti, Eisi, it was a sight to be hold. She was traveling alone, on her own call, looking for something she wasn't even sure, if it truly excited. She was told once that the people who lived here where story tellers, one of great knowledge, and she hoped that someone here would assist her in her journey. It was a far cry from her home Isle. She came from warmth, even though she looked more at home here with her icy skin. She wore a long riding coat, whit in color, with a hood, tightly pinned to her head. Her long locks of white silvery hair was breaded, peaking out from under her hood. The coat wrapped nicely around her body, for she was not used to the coldness, and needed the protection. Two guards stood at the icy gates, both accompanied by two polar bears. Who she wasn't even sure if they where indeed animals or not. The guards smiled as she walked up to them. Feeling a bit unsettled, she smiled back. Then the gates opened. And there was the city of Avanthal. She lifted her hood off her head, looking up at all the sites there where to see. A smile came to her face as she was quite impressed.

[Maakasu]

Maakasu slowly approaches the Icewall Gates, his feet aching from restless hours walking. His stomach groaning, he continues walking to the gates. His jet black hair flowing in the cruel, icy winds, he pulls his brown cloak tighter to trap some heat. Cold, tired and frustrated, he walks a bit faster, approaching the Icewall Gates. As he approaches the gates, he notices two guards, accompanied by two polar bears. As he slowly walks through the gates, he mutters a greeting to the guards and their faithful companions. Maakasu enters Avanthal, thinking as he does, "Oh, finally..."

[anima]

A slender figure approached the gates, his step wavering from the ice cold snow and the brutal howls of the snow. The screaming wind echoing in his ears, drumming at his brain and pounding into his dull grey eyes like hammers on an anvil.
His unsteady gait clearly visible to anyone he staggers through the thick sheet of snow carpeting the barren ground , slowly but surely making his way The Icewall Gates, the shimmer of the mineral slightly obstructing his already impaired vision. Still very good though, even with the conditions, his improved eyesight, aided by his excellent sense of smell led him to the unforgiving threshold.
On the other side of these cold gates, the city of Avanthal awaited him, and inside the city, his good friend awaited his return to his side.
With this thought he pushed forward, nodding to the guards and giving a silent eye motion to his kinsmen, The Kelvic, and moving on.