The fire crackles loudly, casting light and warmth on the ice-walls of the cavern. It is a humbling, relaxing sight normally for the [Frost Lord]. But not today. Not after what's happened and his near death.

Gunnar grimaces. He surveys the cavern, finding all asleep and resting, including Quasi, who has chosen to use Boriss's wolf as a bed. The entrance is blocked by a boulder of ice, with the only opening a small hole near the ceiling. Other than the Sovereign and the worms, nothing else should be able to find its way inside.

"You're nervous."

The [Frost Lord] grabs an axe before shifting his gaze to the side. What he sees is Quasi sitting next to him and facing the fire.

"How did you-"

"-Sneak up on you? I'm a cat, silent movement is the norm."

Gunnar looks to the wolf, finding it still asleep.

"Shouldn't you be resting? It's only been a couple hours."

"I'd ask the same of you, but I can already tell you're too nervous to rest."

The man leans towards the fire. "You'd be too if you came as close to death as I was." He pauses. "I don't suppose you're willing to answer some of my questions?"

The cat shrugs. "Go ahead."

"Are you actually a sovereign?"

Quasi flicks his tail. "That's what I'm told."

"You don't know?"

"I was raised by humans. The Sovereign of Ice and Snow is the first one I'd met. Speaking of which, what do you know of Sovereigns anyway?"

Gunnar blinks, surprised by the answer and even more surprised by the question. After a moment of thought, he decides that it doesn't matter. Quasi seems reasonable, so he should be too."

"It's in their name. We call them Sovereigns because they rule over an aspect of the environment."

"Ice and snow," Quasi adds.

The [Frost Lord] nods. "Everything of Ice and snow is completely under her control. At any moment, she could crush us under a mountain of ice." The man shakes his head. "Not just us, but all of Traipus."

The man grimaces. "The Sovereign wasn't wrong when she mentioned that Traipus exist because she allows it to."

"Why does she? Boredom?"

"Milk." The [Frost Lord] smiles slightly. "My father offers tribute in the form of Milk, and in exchange, Traipus prospers and survives."

Quasi snorts. "I can see that. Anyway, do you know anything about domains? She mentioned I haven't claimed one."

Gunnar shakes his head. "No. It's the first I've heard of it."

"Damn. Welp, I'll figure it out eventually. Anyway, do you have any questions from me?"

The man scratches his beard, eyes still gazing at the fire. "The tower. Any particular reason you're visiting it?"

"There is, but I'll keep that as a surprise."

"Fair. What about your crew and ship? How did a Sovereign become a [Captain]?"

The cat chuckles. "Well, it's a bit complicated and I had allies following me, but the story starts on the island of Lignum and a certain request regarding a swamp…"

_____________________________________________________________

With a major storm recently passed, the skies are calmer than usual, allowing a cored brigantine to easily approach and dock at Traipus port. Once the ship is tied down, the [Captain] leaves the vessel with an armed escort properly prepared for the cold.

Departed, the [Captain] reaches into his pocket and retrieves a small container that used to house the band. With the container in hand, he closes his eyes and opens his senses- then grimaces.

"Is there a problem, [Captain]?" Kirin asks.

"The band is on the island."

"The island? What level is our prey?" Rowan asks.

"Does it matter?" Brand interrupts with a grin. The man raises his hand and creates a ball of flame that sizzles from the light snowfall. "Unless we're dealing with some serious bigshot, they'll die the same as all the others." He crushes the flaming ball within his palm.

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"Rowan, that arrogance is going to get you killed." The [Captain] warns. "Bigshot or not, stronger people have died from underestimating your enemies."

"[Captain]." Kirin points.

The [Captain] turns to the man, then follows the man's finger to a frigate.

"That's the Timbergrove, the ship they believe to have the band, right?" Kirin asks.

"Indeed." The [Captain] grins. "Let's go say hello."

When the group arrives at the dock, they find a woman shoveling snow off the plank. As the [Captain] approaches, the woman turns to them with a blank look.

"Can I help you?" She asks, oddly unbothered by the numerous armed men.

A flicker of her class and level reveals a level of experience to control one's emotions.

"Yes. I am Malthazor Garfield, [Captain] of the Peregrine. I'd like to ask you some questions."

The woman slowly nods, though clearly confused.

"Ask." She says.

Malthazor smiles as warmly as he can while his skill [Sense Lie] activates. "Have you seen or heard of a runed band in yours or your [Captains] possession?"

"I have not." She says.

Truth.

"None at all? Has nobody spoken about something like it?"

She shakes her head. "No."

Truth.

"I see. Could I speak with your [Captain]?" He asks.

"Not at the moment. The captain and nearly all of the crew are on their way to the tower with a guide. When they return, I'm sure the captain will be available."

Truth.

Malthazor keeps up his smile. "I see. Thank you, then. I'll wait for his eventual return."

The woman nods and returns to shoveling as though the conversation they'd had hadn't happened.

The [Captain] leaves the port with his men. Once far enough, Brand is the first to speak.

"I'm guessing she is telling the truth?" Kirin asks.

He nods. "Indeed. Seems our target isn't in the city."

"Or he's actually hiding in the ship. I say we show our warrant to the authorities and search the vessel." Brand exclaims.

"And risk warning the [Captain] if the band isn't on board?" Rowan counters.

Kirin sighs. "The [Captain] has already decided to hunt them down." The [Quartermaster] glances at Malthazor. "That's why you told her you would wait. We're heading to the tower, aren't we?"

Malthazor nods. "Yes. Go find a map. We leave immediately."

__________________________________________________________

"Honestly, I'm kinda surprised how docile this wolf is," I say while laying on the wolf's head. The thing is massive, easily over three hundred pounds, possibly even in the four hundreds. Hell, with a saddle, you could ride it into battle.

"Frost wolves are intelligent pack animals that follow a dominance of power," Anna explains. "After your [Adaptive Skirmisher] dominated the beast, it now believes itself to be part of the pack. What you believe is docility is merely waiting to learn the dominance hierarchy of the pack. It will eventually show greater aggression as it attempts to rise in rank and is the reason why few are willing to domesticate them."

Gunnar chuckles aloud. "Anna, that wolf has a baby sovereign on its head. It's scared shitless right now."

It is?

I take a better glance at my mount, finding its ears droopy and tail lowered in complete submission.

Huh. I probably should have noticed that.

"Is ok," Boriss scratches the wolf's neck. "Comrade Mishka is just nervous. Many new smells and new family."

Of course he named it already.

"Why Mishka, though?"

The Russian shrugs. "Vhen I vas young, I play with many soft Mishka. Wolf fur is same, so I give name."

I shake my head at the name, but dont comment further. I'll have to properly gauge the beast's instincts to make sure it's not a threat. Especially so for Clay's safety.

"We're about to enter the cavern," Gunnar warns. "Eyes peeled above."

"Why above?" I ask.

Not even a step after we enter the cavern does a large ice stalactite fall and shatter.

"Oh, that's why," I comment.

"The caverns are notorious for falling Stalactites. Many have died from them because they didn't react fast enough or didn't have proper equipment," The [Frost Lord] explains. "Anna will protect us in case of a quake. Otherwise, keep your eyes peeled.

My mount starts whining as we travel deeper inside. It even starts fidgeting, forcing Boriss to soothe the animal's nerves to keep it heading deeper.

"For a massive wolf, you're kind of a pussy." I comment.

"Frost Wolves avoid deep caverns not only because their fur isn't pierce resistant, but also because Blizzard Bears and Permafrost Wyverns live within the caverns. Both beasts consider wolves as prey." Gunnar explains. "I imagine Mishka knows this and is just wary"

After an hour of descent, we finally exit the cavern of ice to another cavern of ice, though this one actually has vegetation. All across the walls, floor, and ceiling are fluorescent vines, illuminating the cavern better than the little light seeping through ice. The vines glow a muted light blue and are produced by crystalline flower petals connected to grape-like fruit.

"The fruit is poisonous," Gunnar warns.

Nepenthes perks up in interest. She grabs not only the fruit, but the entire vine, consuming it as though she didn't just recently feast on a dozen wolf corpses.

After a moment, she turns to the group, oddly disappointed. "He is correct. The fruit has a powerful neurotoxin that targets the nervous system. Unfortunately, it's not stronger than the variant I produce."

Gunnar glances at me. "Your crew is odd."

I grin back. "I know! It's great."

After Nepenthes consumes a couple more vines, we continue our journey. A far more different journey filled with more vegetation other than the vines. With the increased vegetation also comes animals that feed on it. Six legged deer, dog-sized bunnies, armored possums, and several others.

By the time we turn to another cavern, Nepenthes has consumed thirteen species of plants and eight species of animals. All of which she dubbed inferior.

"How does the ecosystem of Nivis work? Like, what feeds the wolves?" I ask.

Gunnar turns his head expectantly to Anna. The woman sighs.

"Nivis has a large underground lake with fish that are consumed by Glacier worms. The worms create and traverse the tunnels, spewing a mucus that the plants feed on. Animals feed on the plants and predators feed on the animals. When worms are active, many tunnels become dangerous, so a lot of animals are pushed outside, allowing the wolves and wyverns to feast."

That's a very unique ecosystem.

"How would we know when a worm is active?"

Before I can get a reply, I hear the screech of panicked animals that rush down the tunnel and run past us.

"Worm?" I ask.

"Worse." Gunnar readies his axes. "We've got company."

A roar shakes the cavern as several wyverns rush towards us, all chased by a massive rampaging bear.

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