Chilling Adventures in the North

Seeing the Northlanders’ demeanour to be far from hostile, Muharg greets the bartender and makes it back to the others. “I hope we get to Jarlaxle, if it is indeed Jarlaxle, before he gets too high up in that mountain.”

"It would be a difficult climb as we have already seen," Bjorn would muse before suggesting, "Perhaps we should buy some climbing gear just in case."

"Climbing gear is a great idea," Shad says. "I'm sure we can find some in town." He will move toward the bar and ask the bartender, "Where do you buy your climbing gear? Where is the best place to get the best gear in town?"

"Yeah, alright," Arogna says with a shrug, not wanting to press the point any further. "We'll tell him somethin'." She makes a mental note that shaking down the drow for valuable stolen items would be an excellent idea, although she will probably have forgotten about this by the morning.

"Nice ta meet you, anyways. I'm Arogna," she tells the Northlanders, and heads back over to the party's table. Her part of the conversation would certainly have been loud enough for them to hear, which perhaps explains why they did not disclose the information to her. Regardless, she tells the party what she heard. "We don't wanta end up goin' up in the dark, though, right?" she asks.

Glen smiles and replies to Shad, "There's only one place in town Frozenfar Expeditions. It's just a little over that way." He points to the northwest. "Just behind the row of houses."

Qinfaren finshes his drink as Arogna returns to the group and confirms her discussion with the northerners.

"Let's check on the dogs too on our way to this Frozenfar place," Qinfaren says. "We can get our supplies now and head back up the mountain first thing in the morning."

“Wait a minute, do we know when he left? Maybe we can  just hurry up and get to him before he gets too far ahead.”

Muharg approaches the Northlanders adjusting his belt on his way to their table. “Excuse me, lads, just one more question before we head over to intercepting our drow friend. How long has it been since he left?”

"Thank you," Shad says to the bartender. "It sounds like we are headed there," he says, having heard Qinfaren, "and perhaps quickly," he says as he watches Muharg move toward the Northlanders. "Anyone we should ask for?"

 "Well, he left at sunrise this morning."

"So about six hours ago?"

"Can we catch him? Was he traveling by foot or sled?" Shad asks.

Bjorn would shake his head, "If he left six hours ago he is probably close to the Cairn or has even started his climb. I doubt we will catch him on foot."

"We musta nearly passed him," Arogna scowls. "I've a mind to let him go up, an' let him and Mr. Cimber work things out on their own like, if they bump inta each other." She sighs heavily. "But I expect the dogs need walkin', so we can go today if we wanta."

Qinfaren listens to the others and thinks for a moment first.

”If we’re still going to get climbing gear and check on the dogs, it may be an hour or more before we get going,” Qinfaren says.

He looks over to Bjorn.

”Daylight doesn’t last long up here, does it?” he asks then looks back to everyone. “It may be dark by the time we get to the base of the mountain. We could camp there then climb up at first light.”

"I think Qinfaren is probably right. I suggest we try to make the base by dark and begin climbing with the sun tomorrow," Shad says.

"Wait, what if... Listen, after he's done whatever his business is up in the Cairn, he'll probably have to pass through Caer-Konig again, right? We could leave word here with Glen that a package for him is on the way to the tavern. In the meantime, we go to the lake and get that one done. What do you think?" He then lowers his voice to a grumpy mumble "Or we can go back to that damn ravine..."

Shad has begun to think less about the ravine than the ring, which Artus is hopefully still digging for. He would not mind avoiding them, partly because he wonders if he will be able to toss the ring again if he needs to. It didn't seem that bad to him, not really, and most of all it would keep him warm. What could be wrong with that, he thinks and pulls his coats tight. He also remembers the way Artus moved and looked when the ring had him. He doesn't want that for himself.

"Sorry to be fickle," he says, "but that also sounds good to me. Muharg, by the one at the lake, do you mean Vanifer at Reghed Glacier, or do I have it backwards?"

“Oh, yeah, that one, Shad.”

"Yeah, I reckon that's sound," Arogna says. "The dogs'll like a run, and it may be we don't gotta climb the cairn again at all."

"Anyone have an idea how far the glacier is away?" Qinfaren asks. "Whichever way the wind blows is good with me. Just nice to know if we should bring some extra food with us or not."

"Depends on the season Qinfaren. In winter the nights are long and days short but in summer it is the other way around," Bjorn replies belatedly.

"As for the glacier, it is always good to be prepared. There won't be much to hunt or to forage for once we are on it and we want supplies just incase the weather takes a turn for the worst and we are stranded. Tents and shelter is a must. I too am in favour of this idea, I rather we not chance another meeting with Artus quite so soon."