"Hmmph, it is good to hear he acquitted himself well at the least. No dragon should let themselves grow soft."

Setting the skull down on a snowdrift, Old White Death reaches into the tribute area, apparently looking for something. "In any case, the horn is one of my most prized possessions, I have no intention of simply letting it go. A trade for some item of similar power might be amenable if you have access to anything of particular interest. The arrangement I had with the wizard was that she could freely come to my lair and study the horn on her own time, along with anything else there that peaked her interest. My servants keep simple quarters for such guests, though they are rarely used. Was that something you would be interested in? If not, perhaps some other reward for the return of my property could be offered."

He withdraws his forelimb, having picked up a large barrel, he smells it and grins. With surprising dexterity, he uses a claw to pop open one end of the barrel and shakes a few sea urchins from it into his mouth, he closes his eyes and chews, "Ah, quite good, they usually are this time of year. I was quite gladdened to learn your kind have an easier time collecting these than I do."

Setting the barrel down besides the skull, he looks at Velon again, "There was something else you asked wasn't there, Oh yes. The fool I mentioned was from the so called cult of Tiamat, he said his name but I must confess I've quite forgotten it. He tried to convince me to take part in their efforts to free the queen. I told him I was quite content with the world as it is. He started making demands at that point, so I introduced him to my stomach. I have every respect for my goddess, but she is where she is, I am where I am, and no lesser being is going to order me about."

"As to the thief, I could tell by scent it was a human female, rather athletic by your standards. I know little else about her I am afraid, unsurprisingly she was disinclined to stick around for introductions. As to the place she fled to, I know little of what lies within, but it smells of death, much more strongly than one would expect in a region this cold."

"Well, I'd say we have a way forward for now, what do you say Velon? We will go investigate what happened to both Maccath and the horn. If your stolen possessions are there, then we shall return them to you. In the meantime, we shall also try to find a worthy artifact to trade for the horn. Thank you again for your time, Mr. Death. We once again appreciate you allowing us to roam your beautiful territory." 

Perry bows to the dragon, then looks to the group for approval or any last input.

Poljen nods and raises his pitcher of ale towards the dragon, then drains it, but says nothing.

"Very well then, observe well." The tip of one of the dragon's claws glows as he buries it in a nearby snowdrift. The snow compacts and hardens, into rather distinct shapes. Within a little under a minute, before you is an ice sculpture, about six paces across, depicting the Sea of Moving Ice. "The thief fled into a crevasse to the northeast of here." He points to an area on the other side of the sea. "It is quite difficult to spot, so instead I suggest looking for this." He taps a craggy looking feature that juts up from his map near the shoreline, "The real thing is a formation of grey rock. Sheltered in the lee of it is a tribe of ice toads who have been keeping an eye on the place for me. They can point you the rest of the way."

"When you do enter that place to search, my property is marked with my personal sigil, though the marks are not visible with one's eyes alone. I assume that some among you are capable of seeing magic? If so, look for this. It is unlikely that the runes have been removed." He shapes ice again to form an intricate symbol. "I would not advise trying to leave this area with anything you are not absolutely certain does not belong to me." He grins a toothy grin at you all with this last comment.

  Lia's mind races as she takes all of this in.  A plan is formulating in her mind as she looks st the others.  The white dragon mask to trade for the horn? She would bring this up to the others later.....

  " Thank you for your assistance and courtesy Great White Death.  We stand by our word and will not leave with anything of yours.   You are by far the most honorable  of all dragons that we have met.  We wish to have you as a friend and not an enemy. " 

Poljen frowns for a moment.  "Ice toads?  Uh, is there a way to let them know we travel with your bless-, I mean, approval?"

The dragon snorts, "Honorable? Hmmph, I'm just tired of all the fighting and the posturing. I spent most of my life doing both, Fighting for land, for survival, to establish my territory, to drive off a rival, to obtain some bauble I fancied. I even ended up killing my first mate when she decided she wanted what was mine. These days, I'll fight to preserve what belongs to me, but if I don't need to, I find a simple chat more enjoyable."

He peers closer, "Speaking of which, Lia was it? I do thank you for your offer. I have no hurts to speak of, but perhaps you would care to dance for me sometime? You are quite becoming for one of the humanoid races."

At Poljen's question, the dragon opens his mouth, then closes it, apparently at a loss for words. Then he looks down to the symbol he had just made in the ice. A little work later, and a three inch thick and three foot diameter circle of ice is being casually handed to Poljen. "That should do, they'll recognize that."

Within the palm of his hand, Lawrance uses his magic to recreate and commit to memory every aspect of the Dragon's map and symbol. During the course of the conversation, he has been studying the dragon intently, many senses extended to their utmost to learn all he can about this magnificent creature. Still content to remain silent and let the Bard handle the bulk of the conversation, he thinks about the possible contents of the vault they plan to descend into. 

Poljen nods, and slips on heavy leather gloves.  He hefts the large ice medallion, etched with the dragon's symbol.  He looks at Velon.  "I suppose it will keep cold enough in the cave, eh?  And the the castle should get us where we need to go fast, I guess."  He turns to the dragon and says, "Thank you."  He turns and begins walking towards the location of their flying fortress.

"Why I too prefer simply chatting, Mr. Death! And what a privilege it was. Well then, we must be going now. Plenty of work to do and all that. Thank you again for your time," Perry says to Old Man Death.

He heads back to the castle with the group atop a blanketed Shadowsnacks. 

Eyes widening at his request, Lia is taken off guard.  She allows the others to speak for a moment before answering the venerable white dragon.  Most likely he can't shape change so there is nothing to worry about.    " Great White Death, I am truly honored at your request.   I feel that I am not worthy of such an offer but I accept it nonetheless.   I would love to dance for you sometime.   " As she says this she thinks of how Velon might react to this.  She glances towards him hoping to see some sign of approval.  

Velon can't hide a bit of surprise at OWD's request of Lia.  He turns just enough to raise an eyebrow in her direction, curious to see her reaction.  After she answers he simply shrugs and doesn't look upset over it.  To him as long as she isn't offended and is safe it is a small price to pay versus the bloodshed and death they normally deal in with such creatures.  He might think differently if it was some sort of unsavory humanoid king or the like.

"I look forward to it. Farewell for now." The dragon chomps down on another mouthful of urchins before apparently thinking of something. He calls out after you, "Oh, one more thing, I would be greatly pleased if you told that bit about me being the most honorable dragon you've met to your golden friends. Just imagining their faces when they hear that will keep me quite amused."

The group manages to get back to the castle without further incident. In the courtyard, Sinternal is messing about with a blanket tied around her neck. She's trying to get it settled in a way where it doesn't interfere with her wings but still covers most of her body, without much success. She hisses with displeasure every time it shifts and she's exposed to the cold air.

Once back in the keep, Lawrance sees Sinternal struggling with her attire. Comfortable with the cold by virtue of his magic, he deferentially approaches her in her distress and says "Miss Sinternal, if you'd like, I may be able to help you with that. Is it that you want to cover yourself with warm cloth against this cold? If you let me try something, I'll prepare a spell tomorrow that could perhaps take care of that. What did you envision an outfit to be, for you? As long as it's not too complex, that is." 

OOC- Depending on her answer, he'll make some sketches and flesh out details of the covering she's looking for. He'll ask for assistance from any of the staff or party who might have some skill as a seamstress or the like. Also hoping we have enough wool or something around to use for this. Perhaps if we haven't yet left the village, he can get some hides?

  Lia smiles and waves at Old White Death as they depart.  " I will be sure to tell them White Death.  You can count on it.  " 

  When they are back on the sky Castle Lia will speak with Velon alone when they have time.  " Velon, I hope that you aren't upset with me.  There is no danger of him shape shifting or any kind of awkward situation. I'm thinking it could help us possibly gain him as an ally if we can befriend him.  " She watches his face closely for signs of his reaction. 

Cratol is very happy thatthey were able to talk to the old white dragon with no issues.  He departs with the others to the castle.  Once they are in the castle again he will go up on the ramparts and practice his forms to make sure he is in great fighting shape and used to the new warmer clothing to be able to move freely in the outfit.  It is not long before he is joined by Sylmae as she helps him with his forms and does some of her own too.  After a hour he will stop Kiss Sylmae for a bit before heading back inside to his room with her.

Perry witnesses Sinternal struggling with the blanket. He almost dies from the cuteness, but eventually approaches the distressed young dragon, "Ah yes, the problem of clothing when one has wings." Perry nods as he seems to understand Sinternal's plight fully, "What we really need to do here is to just cut a couple of wing slits in this here blanket. One moment please, I have a lot of experience in this area as this is a problem I also struggle with regularly."

Perry pulls out his scimitar and fiddles with the blanket, then he asks Lawrance for some help on getting her wings through the newly opened wing slits.

Velon holds Lia's shoulders gently and looks down at her, smiling.  He chuckles a little and admits "it was not a request I was expecting, I'll give you that."  "I was only afraid that you'd be offended, but knew you'd handle it well either way.  It was the right decision as long as you are ok with it."  He pauses and smiles at her.  "Lia you make me feel very much loved so you I don't worry about such things.  I trust your judgement.  I worry about other things, such as failure in battle or in this war, but never in the choices you make."  He does add "if we have a meeting with some unsavory cult leader or something of the sort, however, and he makes such a request, may I just crush his skill right then and there?  You know, unless he's particularly handsome, of course."

  Lia looks into his eyes and smiles. " Thank you for your trust in me.  I'm not offended but honored.  He is thousands of years old.  I doubt that many have been asked to dance for him.  You have nothing to worry about my love.  As for some cult leader asking me to do the same... Yes, feel free to destroy them right there.  Unless they are quite handsome as you said.  " She winks at him and spins away from him.  

Watching as Perry brutalizes the blanket, Lawrance sputters "But, but, that's so inefficient! It doesn't cover her enough to be useful, much less durable enough to last more than a day or two. I was going to make something that she can actually wear, not the tattered cast-offs of a hobgoblin hobo! I thought you liked fashionable and functional garments, Perry?" He is truly astonished that the typically flamboyant Bard would stood to such lower levels of fashion, and walks off, shaking his head and still intending to proceed as he had planned. 

OOC- is there an estimate of how many days to the outcropping we need to look for?