When Jing woke up once more it was to the rough feeling of lurching as the ship landed on a snowy field. Kinu yelped as she jumped upwards from the impact, flailing in the air before falling down again on the bed with a thud.

Jing sat up quickly, nearly falling off the bed from suprise. After looking around for a minute she looked at Kinu. “Are you alright?”

Kinu nodded, sitting upright in bed. ‘Did we crash?’ She asked.

“I’m not sure… Lets head up and look.” She said before standing, after the nap feeling much better.

Kinu nodded, jumping off the bed and scrambling up onto the deck. Everyone was up and scrambling around as they made the final sliding stop of the landing, Bast out of his armor and jumping off the ship to moor it to a pine tree.

Jing looked around confused before going over to Leria. “So… We finally made it?” She asked hopefully.

Leria smiled as she saw the two, nodding. “We’re just outside Happy Valley.”

Jing grinned happily and nodded. “Great! How long do you think it will take to go to where we need to?”

“Depends on a lot of things.” Leria shrugged, “I’d suggest everyone get into their warmest clothes and pack our bags!” She said loudly to everyone, as they went to do as told. “And Silver, only ONE bag, you hear me?”

Jing couldn’t help but laugh as she heard the comment to Silver then headed down to get changed and pack up her bag.

It took half an hour to get the whole gang ready to head out, Silver wearing a large assortment of pouches and small bags, looking quite over-weight. Leria rolled her eyes and sighed, “Silver… you can’t take that much!”

Jing had one bag on her back, used to packing light and looking at Silver, chuckling. “What all do you have with you?! You don’t need that much!”

Silver pouted, “What if we do need some of this!?” He asked indignantly. Leria laughed, “Just bring the essentials Silver, leave the rest.” He sighed, frowning and mumbling he hopped back up the ship to leave some more equipment behind. Leria chuckled, shaking her head. “Just as bad as his ancestor.”

Jing giggled, looking at Leria. “Really? Your friend was like that too?”

Leria chuckled, “Yeah, took ages to get him to take the minimum needed.” She said, as Silver reappeared with less burden, but still plenty of pouches. “Okay, good enough I guess.” Leria smiled, “Let’s head out!”

Jing grinned and nodded. “Alright!” She said, moving to get off the ship. This was so cool! She had never been around so many mountains like this. Not counting the cave with the eggs since there wasn’t much around there.

The group set off across the snow, trudging through knee-deep whiteness (at least for Bast and Leria) towards the towering mountain. The wind was icy cold, and found it’s way into their clothing, stinging exposed faces and fingers.

Jing shivered a little as they continued through the very deep snow, pants soaked quickly through to her fur. “How are you doing Kinu?” She asked, looking over towards the silver dragon.

The dragon was not wearing more than a scarf around her neck, and she had her wings outstretched slightly, welcoming the air. “Great!” She said happily. Leria chuckled, “At least ONE of us likes the cold.” She muttered, sinking deeper into her cloak.

Jing giggled a little at how happy Kinu was and continued through the snow, keeping behind Leria and following the tracks she made as much as possible.

It took them two hours of trekking through the snow to reach the mountain’s base, and another hour of trekking up the steep mountain side before Leria found the entrance to a cave, where they all entered, huddling together against the cold.

The wind by now was picking up a little, snow blowing around outside the cave and the wind whistling through it. Jing was shivering a little, tail curled around her tightly to keep at least a little warmer.

Not far from there cave someone else was walking through the snow, following the group’s foot prints towards the cave. Not long after someone walked to the entrance, looking inside curiously “Hello? Anyone in here?” It called, a very tall draik standing at the mouth of the cave, silver scales covering the parts of its body that didn’t have warm winter clothes on.

The group was mostly huddled towards the back of the cave as Bast, Leria and Kinu prepared a fire. Silver was alone, huddled by the entrance as guard, shivering and hiding deep within his warm cloak. He looked up at the draik, jumping to his feet. “That depends on who’s asking!” He said, studying the draik.

The draik looked down at Silver, blinking a couple times. “Wow I almost missed you down there. Sorry.” He said with a kind smile, offering a hand to him to shake. “I noticed the footprints coming to the cave and decided to come check. There is a storm coming and it’s not safe to stay out in the elements.”

Silver took the stranger’s hand and shook it. “My name is Silvertongue Longtail.” He said, “We are going to be staying in this cave for the night, so I suppose you could too if there’s a storm brewing.”

The draik chuckled a little. “Silvertongue Longtail? Thats a very interesting name, unlike mine. I’m Lei, its nice to meet you.” He said with a nod. “Actually, I came to check if you needed a place to stay for the night. My place isn’t far from her and it can give a lot more warmth then a cave like this.”

Bast had seen the stranger, and he came over beside Silver, looking at Lei. “You have a house? Can it hold eight people?” He inquired.

Lei looked over at Bast, blinking surprised “Eight? Wow your group is huge. But yes I think it can. I don’t have that many beds but if you and your friends don’t mind a little sharing it can work.” He explained, still smiling kindly. “It will be more comfy to sleep in then a cave at least?”

Bast didn’t look too sure, but Leria finally walked over, “Sure, if it’s not that far, I’m sure the smaller ones would appreciate the warmth.” She smiled, though looked Lei over and studied his mind to make sure he was really of good intention.

Lei grinned and nodded as he saw Leria. “Then I have no problem inviting you to my home.” The draik’s mind did show that it was all in good intention, doing this often for anyone he found up on the mountains that needed a place to stay for the night.

Leria nodded in satisfaction. “Okay, forget that fire, let’s get going before it gets dark!” She said, quickly grabbing her pack as Bast and the others did the same. Iris walked over to Lei smiling, “Thank you for your kindness.” She said.

Jing grabbed her bag as well, heading out of the cave and looking at Lei, and as usual completely distrustful of anyone new.

Lei just looked at Iris and smiled “Its no problem. Come on, my place isn’t to far away.” He said, looking around the group once and eyes stopping on Kinu, blinking surprised for a second. She looked rather… odd. Oh well. “Come on.” He said with a wave before leading them off from the cave, a bag of wood over his shoulder and a small axe held in one of his hands.

The group shuffled out of the comparably warm cave back into the snow. Rena whimpered slightly, unaccustomed to walking such large distances in bitter cold weather. Grisfam was at the back, pace slow and arduous, still winded from their initial walk up the mountain.

After about ten minutes of walking, a large log cabin came into view, just as the wind started to pick up more. Opening the front door Lei motioned for everyone to head on in.

They all filed in gratefully, Bast staying behind to wait for Rena and Grisfam who had lagged behind, both of them holding hands as Grisfam made his way through the snow with his staff in his other. As they reached the door, a specially strong gust of wind snatched the old man’s hat, whisking it off. “Oh… my hat!”

Lei blinked in surprise, moving forward quickly and jumping surprisingly high into the air to grab the hat before the wind took it too far away. “That was close.” He said with a grin, going over to Grisfam and Rena. “You two alright?” He asked before handing the ixi his hat.

The others blinked in surprise at the quick reaction, but Grisfam just smiled happily. “Oh! Thank you, kind lady.” He took his hat and replaced it on his head. The others blinked again. Leria coughed, “Grisfam, he’s a guy, can’t you see that?” Bast laughed faintly, closing the door as everyone was inside. “Old man can’t even see properly.”

Lei blinked in shock for a second before chuckling nervously. “Wow I didn’t think I would ever hear that one.” He said before walking over to the center of the large living room/kitchen/dining room. Putting the axe and bag down he started up a fire in the fireplace quickly. “Make yourselves at home.” He added.

Jing looked around nervously, tail twitching a little. This really, really didn’t feel right to her. Bad things normally came if some random stranger decided to help someone.

Grisfam immediately took Lei’s advice, slightly miffed at the other’s reaction. “But she is a girl!” He said in a soft mutter as he passed by Lei to sit in the most comfortable chair he could find. The others piled their belongings close to the door and began removing cloaks and capes.

Lei’s tail twitched a little as he heard Grisfam’s insistence but said nothing else about it. Once the fire was burning well he took off his own jacket and winter cloths, tossing them in one of the rooms. “There is a bathroom there, and a spare room there.” He started to explain, pointing around. “There are two beds in the spare room, and I also have a mattress I can pull up from the basement and set up another bed in here.”

Leria nodded, “Iris, Rena, Jing and Kinu can share the larger bed, and Grisfam can sleep in the other bed with Bast.” She suggested. Bast frowned, glancing at the still-mumbling old ixi.

Lei nodded a little before smiling. “If you want, I’ll show you a place to warm up more.” He said before moving to a side door and opening it. “Come on and look.”

Bast blinked, “What do you mean?” He asked warily.

Lei chuckled quietly. “Its cold out there. Come and see for yourself.” He said before walking through the door.

Jing was silent for a second, watching him before slowly walking towards the door to look through it.

Bast was right behind, and Silver somehow managed to beat them both, on Lei’s heels.

The area looked like it should be outside, but there were wood walls all around, and a slanted, glass roof overhead. It would have been easy to see the stars in the sky if not for the blizzard growing outside. It was shockingly warm, two different pools of water surrounded by tall rocks, steam visible coming from each. Past the two pools was also a small waterfall, the water that came from it seemed to disappear below the walls after not too long. “The hot springs here are amazing for cold and stiff bodies.” He said with a grin.

Jing looked into the area in surprise, first at the springs and waterfall before all the green plants that were able to grow because of the warmth the springs gave to the area.

“Woah…” Bast’s eyes went wide, “You made this place?” He asked, gazing around the construction done to box in the springs from the elements. The others were slowly walking into the area, Iris smiling happily, “This is wonderful!”

Lei grinned proudly and nodded “The hot springs are actually natural, I built my home close to them for just this reason. Its the easiest way to make sure there is a fresh supply of water at all times up here on the mountains.”

“This is quite nice.” Leria said with a nod. “Come on girls! Let’s soak for a while!” She said, dashing over to one side of the springs.

Lei chuckled a little and stretching. “Just don’t try to go into the water from the falls. Water there is freezing cold.” He said before turning and walking into the main part of the house. He would have to get started on the food anyways.

Jing seemed unsure as she walked towards one of the springs. “Doesn’t he seem to be acting too nice…?” She muttered.

Leria shrugged, “He’s got good intentions, I already checked him out.” She said, getting undressed. “Besides, we’re way more than his one, so we could easily overpower him if needed.” Bast and Silver had to look away as Leria got naked, Bast blushing deeply.

Jing sighed a little, taking off her own cloths once she saw the guys were looking away. “I guess… But something still doesn’t feel right with him.” She muttered.

As Lei got the stew in a pot over the fire he went to find some towels, knowing everyone would need them when they were done in the springs.

Grisfam was asleep by the fire, hat sliding down over his face once more. The two other males went to the other side of the hot springs and got undressed as well, getting into the water. Iris had also begun to undress, and Kinu was making her way to the waterfall.

Jing was silent now as she got into the spring and after a second sighed happily, this felt so NICE!

Lei looked over at Grisfam for a moment, carrying the towels. His tail twitched a little nervously and after a second he just shook his head, walking back into the room with the towels. “Thought you all would need these when you were done.” He said, setting them down on a rock.

Bast smiled from where he was at the edge of the water. “Thankee. Why not come in with us?” He asked, Silver paddling in the water behind him.

Lei chuckled nervously before shaking his head. “Na, I’m making supper right now anyways. I’ll call you all when its ready alright?”

Bast nodded, turning back to sink deeper in the water happily, relaxing his scarred body in the soothing waters.

Leria sighed blissfully, keeping an eye on Kinu as she walked over the boulders. “Definitely beats that cave.” She said with a content smile. Iris nodded, looking around through the steam, “Yes, who would have thought there was something like this here on Terror Mountain!”

Jing nodded a little, going more into the water until her nose was just above it and closing her eyes. This really was great! She still didn’t trust Lei, but it was like Leria said, much better then the cave.

Lei worked silently, stirring the food, then going downstairs, easily bringing up the large mattress himself then getting some warm blankets and fluffy pillows on it, ready to be used once it was time to sleep.

The old ixi was awake when he came back up. “So, young girl, why do you insist on playing the role of a male?” He asked quietly.

Lei twitched as he heard Grisfam, and looked towards him. “I have no idea what you are talking about…” He finally muttered, looking at the ixi. Who exactly was this guy?

Grisfam chuckled, “Oh you know.” He said, “For someone with such good intentions you go a long way to keep this a secret.”

Lei’s hands went into tight fists as he heard Grisfam, “I don’t know… how you know. But don’t tell anyone. Alright? You’re all leaving tomorrow anyways, so please just keep it a secret.”

The ixi smiled, “if you say so.” He said, leaning back, watching Lei with eyes that did not look as clouded as they had when the old ixi had come in.

Lei looked at Grisfam for a moment, tail twitching nervously behind him and turning back to stir the stew. “Maybe you should go with the others. I’m sure the hot water from the springs would do you some good just like them all.”

Grisfam seemed to think of this, then shook his head, “Perhaps later, after dinner.” He said finally. “That smells good, you seem to be a good cook for a man.” He grinned faintly.

Lei chuckled a little before nodding. “When you live on your own for years you have to be!” He said, stirring it a little more before grabbing bowls and large spoons for everyone.

Grisfam nodded, “That is very true.” He said, “Though some just cook to survive, others cook to enjoy the food.”

Lei shrugged a little. “I cook more to survive, then because I enjoy it. I kinda have limited resources here so I can’t have variety.” He explained, going back to taste the stew and see if it was ready.

Grisfam nodded, “But why live here then, if you could live wherever you please?”

“I like the mountains and the cold. And the mountains… I was born here. I’ve traveled around before but… I realized I liked it here more.” Lei explained, nodding a little and smiling. “Looks like its ready. Want me to bring a bowl over for you?”

“Yes please.” Grisfam smiled, “I am rather hungry after all that walking, I’ll admit!”

Lei chuckled, putting stew in one of the bowls before bringing it over to Grisfam. “There you go and enjoy. I’m going to tell all the others supper is ready alright?” He said before heading over to the door that opened to the springs.

Grisfam nodded as he began blowing on a spoonful of stew, watching Lei with interest.

The others were still soaking in the water, though Leria had already gotten out, wrapped in a towel as she sat by the edge, her feet in the water. Kinu was splashing in and out of the ice-cold waters of the waterfall happily.

Lei opened the door, looking at them and smiling. “Supper is ready for anyone who wants to eat now.” He said with a nod.

Jing’s ears twitched as she heard Lei. Great… Already? She really didn’t want to leave the spring.

Leria grinned, “Great! Thanks a lot for the meal and all this!” She waved her hand at the springs and the house as the storm raged above the glass dome, now frosted over from the change of temperatures from within and without.

Lei grinned at Leria. “No problem. Whenever you are ready come on out and dish up. I also have all the beds ready.” He said before leaving them alone and going to dish up a bowl of the stew himself.

Jing sighed, coming out of the water and grabbing a towel quickly to wrap around herself and dry off.

Bast and Silver were out soon, drying quickly and getting dressed, and walking back into the main area of the house for food.

Leria waved to Kinu. “Come on Kinu! Dinner time!”

Jing was soon dried off as much as possible too, tail and hair a little damp but dry enough she got dressed again, going over to Kinu. “Come on. Lets go get something to eat!”

Lei was already sitting on one of the chairs in the large living room, eating contently.