A/N: As usual, I would recommend putting the video on loop.



A couple of days had faded away since they had left that spot under the pine tree. Tarhuinn and (f/n) had traveled up the right stream, but they had walked slower on the second than the first day. The uphill climb had only grown steeper, and it had reminded her of the walkway back on their way to the third complex. At least, there hadn't been a ledge for them to fall off of.



When they had reached the end of the path, a large lake was before them just as the pixie queen had mentioned. Around the edge, there was a narrow path that led around the entirety of it. Up above the path, rocks jutted out of the mountain, and small streams of water trickled downwards. Some of the rocks could easily cut into one's skin if they weren't careful, but if they climbed up a little, they could use them to hide behind. That would allow them to listen in on any individuals passing to and from the authors' home.



The problem would be getting from behind their current cover of pines to behind some of the rocks. It wouldn't be a surprise if some of the authors' spies were waiting for an intruder(s) to step out into the open. Tarhuinn, though, was already analyzing the area for any sign of someone else taking cover. He did have his daggers, and she had seen him throw them before. There was the possibility that he would be able to kill any hostile kelremm without them even seeing the two of them.



"Do you see anyone?" she whispered, her eyes still on the lake.



"No, I haven't spotted any movement out there, but I don't think that we should head out there yet. We may want to remain here for the time being and wait for someone to exit their hiding grounds or switch watches."



"Won't someone find us, then? You have to stay in the stream, and we're only covered right now because of the pine branches creating a decent wall in front of us. We need to find a better place to hide."



"I agree, (f/n), but I can't think of any. Walking out there isn't an option. If there are spies, we'll be attacked within moments, and everyone inside of the authors' home will be alerted."



"I understand that," she responded quietly, scanning over their surroundings now. To both her right and left, she noted that she could spot the mountain walls. There weren't too many pine branches that she would have to push out of the way to get to either, which meant that her movement wouldn't create too much noise.



Hugging her cloak tighter around her, she pointed to her left. "Let me head over to the wall there. I'll try to climb it. If I can, I'll look out for spies and see if there is water up there. If there is, you should be able to make it in time and meet me up there. It's our only decent option right now."



Hesitation was clear on his countenance, but she could tell that he was near to complying. Crossing his arms over his chest, his gaze hardened. "You have the dagger that I gave you. I expect you to utilize it the moment that you see another kelremm. I don't care if they try to persuade you that they're not going to hurt you. I want you to give them no opportunity to talk. Strike and move along. Do you understand?"



"Yes," she simply answered. "I'll be careful, and you'll see me again soon enough."



He nodded, and she was off. Due to the thicker snow, it took longer to reach the wall, but she made it nonetheless. She hadn't glanced back once; she just told herself to hurry so that Tarhuinn could be behind better cover. It was also important that they weren't separated for long. They had no idea how many spies there were, and each of them could be trapped swiftly if they weren't careful.



Peering upwards, she noted that there were some rocks that would allow her to ascend the wall. She would need to be careful and not grab hold of one of the sharper ones. It didn't help that there was ice. The likelihood of one of her hands or feet slipping was quite too high for her liking, but she had to press on.



Extending out her right hand first, she gripped one of the rocks before she grabbed another with her left hand. She continued to grip rocks that were higher and higher, but she did so slowly. Her ascent was realistically at the pace of a snail. At times, one of her feet slipped, and she nearly fell into the snow below, but she hung onto the rocks like her life depended on it. (F/n) wasn't too high up from the ground, but she didn't wish to start over. Time wasn't on their side.



Hands beginning to go numb from the cold, she tried to increase her pace. The tip of her nose was going numb as well. Beforehand, she had been able to cover it with her cloak somewhat. Now, it felt like it might freeze completely. How she wished to summon a fire to her hands. If she could have been born a mage, things would have been simpler, but she probably wouldn't be on this journey, then. She recalled how Tarhuinn had disclosed that kelremm typically stayed away from human-mage partners due to the complications that may arise with a child being born from such an arrangement.



She grasped another rock and pulled herself up. Peering over the rock in front of her, she noticed a small space where she could lie down. It was high enough that it would be a good lookout spot. (F/n) climbed a bit higher before she rested her feet on the flat area.



On her stomach, she stared out the gap between two rocks in front of her. She caught sight of no kelremm, but she was happy that there was a small stream behind her. It was large enough that Tarhuinn could keep his feet there and remain in fighting condition. When she saw no other individual, she carefully looked back to where Tarhuinn stood.



His head was turned towards the lake, but he glanced her way a few moments later. She waved her left hand but made sure that it wasn't too high in the air. He seemed to understand the message as he nodded his head and faced her way completely. The snow would slow him down, but he could climb up the section where the stream trickled down. That amount of water might not prevent him from being weakened, but he wouldn't die.



This fact didn't stop her breath from being caught in throat, though. Her body tensed when he started running towards her location. It wasn't his normal quick run, but it was still frightening to watch. A charging kelremm in a fight was something that she wasn't looking forward to, but she knew that it would happen at some point. How she would be able to match a skilled spy's speed was beyond her. She only knew that she would have to, or she would be kidnapped, killed or both.



By the time that he stood before the wall, he was almost out of breath. He appeared as though he may collapse into the snow, but he grabbed the rocks and let the water from the stream run over him. Some of it touched his feet, and a little bit of relief painted his face. Still, he made the climb steadily. Given his present condition, it didn't surprise her that he was slower than her.



Once he stood on the top, he laid himself down and kept his feet in the water. His eyes closed for a bit while he caught his breath. (F/n) found herself breathing normally again. She placed her left hand on his right upper arm in comfort. "We should be fine up here."



"Yes, and if someone tries to attack us, we'll have plenty of time to strike before they reach us. It looks like the only way to get up here is to take the route that we took. If we stay here for the night, we should learn enough information to find the entrance to their home. If we don't, we'll unfortunately have to take the riskier option and explore all of that terrain until we discover the way inside."



Her hand moved back to in front of her. She rested her chin on her forearms. "Let's hope that we're spared from that scenario. I don't desire to be worn out from exploring and possible fights before we reach at least one of the authors." Closing her eyes, she let out a sigh. "But, we have tonight to rest at the very least. Would you like me to take first watch?"



Opening his eyes, he voiced, "Yes, I'll take second, though; my eyesight is better at night and in the early morning. Perhaps, I should stay up the whole time for that reason."



Shaking her head, she opened her eyes back up. "No, I'll be able to handle a watch. You need your sleep. Even if I can't see as well, I can still hear, but can we share your cloak now? These rocks are freezing, and I can only barely feel my hands and nose now."



"Of course," he chuckled out softly. He untied the cloak, but he didn't motion for her to come closer. The small, flat space already had them right next to the other. Tarhuinn draped it over the two of them after he took off his pack, and he proceeded to take out the blankets afterwards. Both of them adjusted their positions until they managed to lay one of the blankets under them. As for the second blanket, they placed it in front of them so that it could be utilized as a makeshift pillow.



Beginning to become warmer, a smile fell upon (f/n)'s lips. She could fall asleep right then and there. Tarhuinn draped his right arm over her back and hugged her closer, which didn't aid her, but she forced her eyes to stay open. To help keep herself up, she removed her pack and retrieved some dried pears. (F/n) nibbled on one and offered another to Tarhuinn. He took it gratefully, and they both continued their watch.