Children Of Myths, Act One: Scotland

The White Swarm

TW: Blood, death, suicide

If the Black Ice had a mind of its own and so did the weather, well, it was trying everything to dissuade the men from exploring the mountain.
The wind blew, the snow hit their faces and made the horses snort and neigh with fright, even Artica was having trouble keeping herself in balance up in the air.
She cussed between her teeth as she lowered herself, one mistake and she'd fall to certain death, not to mention all of them had to keep themselves as quiet as possible since any loud noise would most likely cause an avalanche.

"Uuugh" Connor groaned, as what could be a possible gallery was just another crack in the rock "Fuck, it's like looking for a needle in the haystack"

However, that little rift provided temporary shelter from that hellish snowstorm, Brendan tried sitting down but he yelped and rubbed his rear frantically "I thought me ass would stay glued to the stone! Get some blankets before sitting"

They gathered up to start a little fire, occasionally looking outside to see if one of Evans' men came back or to spot their Fae Lassie up there in the skies.

"There she is..." Connor narrowed his eyes, looking at her silhouette fighting against the merciless winds and trying to use them to her advantage just like the Wind Fae taught her. He lit up a wooden stick and waved it outside, hoping to catch her eyes and sign her they were safe. It was when he saw a blue light flicker in the sky that he smiled and went back to sit by the campfire.

"Should we get higher or...?" One of their fellows asked. Brendan didn't even know the answer... The entrance could be anywhere, and the mountain was the second highest of all Scotland. It was wide as well, and all the ice formation had made its almost flat top sharp and perilous to walk on.

"So...?"

"Let's wait for my niece to get back here, in the meantime, let's rest for a while"

"Come on... You're a flat mountain, it should be easy finding a gallery"

Artica flapped her wings and put her Fairy Stone back on her eye to see the flux of magic. It was flowing inside, yes, but it came and seeped into the ground from every direction her sight could catch...
That Sorceress hid her witchcraft very well indeed.

"Damnit" She hissed, hovering down to land and take a look around in the area... Only ice, rocks and frozen wood for miles and miles.

"Weeeeelllll shit" She smiled, unnerved and taking deep breaths not to scream "Keep your cool, Artica. Keep your cool and think"

If she would be a gallery that shouldn't be discovered, how would it be hidden?

"..." Artica took a deep breath and touched the frozen ground under her feet. Once again, her body felt pain and she let out a shrill screech. But this time she was prepared to what was coming and would not let it take the best of her. She held both hands down and clenched her jaws, reaching for the countless fragments of Beira's power and consciousness.

She closed her eyes but kept herself vigilant and resisting any form of temptation to give in and let the ice crawl on her to gobble her up like before.

"Beira... It's me. Artica Neivers, child of Glycen and Albert Neivers. If you can hear me again, lend me your hand. You from the inside, me from the outside"

Her fingertips started to glow, despite the ice creeping up her hands. She felt her fighting from within, and she was lending her hands to grasp in order to work together.
However, this time Beira didn't answer... She kept on calling for the Fae Queen but didn't get any word back, nor she felt the other ghostly laments of the poor victims of the curse.
Since nothing or no one answered her call, she rose and witnessed a patch of clear rock where her hands touched the ground. Good, it still worked.
Nevermind talking to Beira, she had to save her energy for later and try finding Evans and his men and ask them if they found any clue.