n

n

n

" we need to head left! If we get to close to the right side we may get stuck.

" Pulling on Su's arm Remey pushed. Su still wanted to go check to be sure but couldn't disobey walker, she held too much respect for her party to ignore the danger.

nThe wailing grew even louder in their ears with every step away they took.

" don't look back to your right!

" Gil had been surveying the area to make sure nothing had come to near and begun to see other things in the distance. A women with a broken leg hobbling along hands outstretched for help begged him to stop. The wind would blow replacing her with a woman collapsed on the ground holding an infant who's skin was turning blue.

n

"Heeeellppp ahhhhhg

" calls for help came from the blinding snow behind them. Gil pushed from the end of the chain to move faster. His eyes never leaving the area behind them.

n

" mmyyy babbby

"

n

"My ankle is broken my ankle

"

n

" I'm trapped in the ice help me

"

n

" monsters monseters help please help

"

n

" ahhhgg hheeaaa

"

n

" someone save me ahhhh save me

"

nThe sounds became tormenting them, Su realized beyond a doubt no one but them were in danger. The more they moved away from their previous position the more the shouts for help and wailing came. The snow became fierce in front of them almost trying to drag them back towards the sounds. Gil was watching more of the harmed women behind him but their faces were pale and expressionless as they cried out. The injuries became less and less to the point they were just standing still wailing.

n

" ignore the sounds and push through!

" Shouting encouragement walker pushed against the wind. No longer was Su putting up a fight trying to pull away towards the voices but she pushed with him away from the sounds. Linked arms everyone stepped forward combatting the incessant wind.

n

" push!

" Laurence and Gil toward the back gave the last spurt trying to get fast tiger from the emotionless figures behind them.

n

"Ahh

"

n

"Oof

"

n

"Fwpfff

"

nWith a myriad of sounds and some thuds everyone landed in a pile on the ground. The wind was soft. The sun shone through some clouds warming them up.

n

"Get your butt off me Gil or I swear I'll beat you senseless!!!

" Remey pushed Gill off her while midnight snuck under Su to push her up as well.

n

" what the heck just happened? Where's all the wind and snow?

" Elise was looking around completely confused on where they were and what was going on.

n

" take a look behind us

" staring off the direction they had come walker had spotted rushing water. They had gotten all too near the rushing river that cut through the plains. Ice floated down crushing in to the banks. Three flickering ghost like women floated around the edges before completely vanishing.

n

" we almost went for a not so warm swim.

" The deep frown on Laurence's face spike volumes to how dangerous their potion he'd been.

" it was only a small storm and a soft breeze but those three fooled us good. We were basically blinded by their illusions.

" Shaking his head Laurence helped Riley stand up.

n

" leader I'm sorry...I almost doomed us all to an early grave.

" Su had seen the snow women vanish. The icy cold waters rushing along sent shivers through her very core. If she had rushed off she could have died and brought everyone with her.

n

" no su you aren't wrong to want to help those in need. That's why you're part of the party, your heart is pure. Walker won't hold that against you.

" Remey comforted her knowing Su would beat herself up constantly about it.

n

" Remey is right, if I didn't know something was off I would have rushed in to help too. I'm just thankful we did our research before venturing out.

" This was their first encounter with illusions and it had almost ended them. They would need preventative measure in the future.

n

" Laurence do you have any idea how close we are now? After that I think we may be better off resting.

" Looking at gils face walker knew he most of all needed some time to relax. Gil had been the last person in their chain and kept watch if their backs the entire time, meaning Gil had seen the illusions first hand.

nLaurence withdrew a map from his cloak and surveyed the area. Using his finger and thump to draw lines while looking at the horizon his face showed surprise.

" seeing that we got this close to the river if we travel a bit more east we should be right in the edge. Judging from the speed of the river we are just west of the rapids. We can make camp here and head to the nest here in the morning.

" Gesturing to a space a short distance away walker nodded. Quickly traversing the light winds and partly cloudy sky they easily reached their desired camping spot. The sun was nearing setting so lighting a fire became priority.

n

" Gil take a break for a while, we'll set things up and get the fire started, you need the rest.

" Seeing that Gil hadn't spoken since they got away from the snow women's illusions walker knew he was shaken. Gil smiled softly and set up his bed roll to take a nap. Hopefully some sleep would get their emotionless faces out of his head.

nThe camp came together quickly and within the hour a roaring fire was warming them. Onyx had freed himself from underneath walkers cloak only to coil up on top of midnight who was already dozing by the fire. The two seemed one of a kind now that onyx had gone hunting with his sister. Remey and Su had giggled with Elise on how cute they were promoting some embarrassed words from onyx who refused to be cute but instead fierce like midnight. Sadly that made him even cuter in the girls eyes.

nSharing the night watch everyone was able to sleep uninterrupted. Monsters seemed to be avoiding the cursed crows territory just as Otis had gathered. Walker had taken gils shift to let him rest more, he deserved it after being subject to the most illusions.

nWatching the sun rise onyx had made his way to trap around walkers shoulders.

" you know you need to take advantage of your favorite spot before you get bigger.

"

nLetting out a frustrate hiss was onyx's only reply. He would find a way to shrink if he could, how could he ever loose his sitting spot and have to slither around himself. On the other side of things if he did get bigger he could participate more in battles. It was all worth pondering. Taking in the new sunlight walker got up from his watch and stoke up the fire, today would be an interesting day so they might as well start it off with a good breakfast.

nGoing all out walker pulled some meats and vegetables Su had procured from the tribe. Setting up the vegetable to roast and the meat to warm the smells began taunting everyone still sound asleep. The first to show signs of movement was midnight and Riley. It was almost a perfect tie as to which stood first, however Riley had managed to beat the ever hungry dragon by a second.

nGoing around nudging everyone else awake walker went to Gil last.

" hey archer guy get your butt awake we've got some food to eat.

" Not the best wake up call but this wasn't a fancy inn.

n

" ummmnggg not now, those stupid headless snow women kept me tossing around all night. Let me sleep.

" Walker had expected Gil to have a few nightmares, gils pale face after seeing some of their illusions was a dead giveaway.

n

" well do what you want but if midnight or Riley gets to your dried jerky don't complain to me.

" The thought of loosing his food was more than enough to get him up. Walker may have felt bad for him but not enough to protect his food.

nNow that everyone was up it was time to start the planning for their main goal in coming here.

" Elise is there any way you want to go about distracting and grabbing the cursed crow egg?

" This was Elise's request so letting her take the lead was only fair.

nPutting in her most serious expression Elise told them her plan

" we stop the mother from getting to the nest. Someone sneaks in and grabs an egg. We retract far far away, to the tamers guild headquarters.

" Laurence reached out flicking Elise in the head.

n

" we have days of travel, and weeks before that to plan this out and that's all you have for us?

" Laurence wasn't even surprised by this but it was still annoying.

n

" well ya know I have the general idea laid out now we just have to try it.

" And another delicious to the head.

" ggrrr fine anyone else have a plan?

" Pouring she used her best puppy dog eyes in walker in hopes he would take over.

nSeeing this walker brought his hand to his chin completing a thinking pose,

" hmmm...hmmmmmmmm...hmmmmmMMMM.....

" Elise leaned forward every Hmm wanting to hear it.

" yup! I've got a plan.

" He said it just loud enough to get Elise to jump a bit. After a slight chuckle it was time to get to it.

n