Dragons of the Ice
The frigid face of the glacier was difficult to hold on to but Alderch climbed steadily with help from the Arquoai axes and climbing shoes, which were adorned with sharp spikes. Crisp air whipped his face, stinging his eyes and nose, trying to convince him to abandon his quest. Luckily his ears were tucked under a woolen hat, and the rest of his body was tightly bundled in layers of fabric and fur.
The pain was only a small sacrifice, for the chance to find the mythical ice dragons and bring glory to his name. After what felt like hours of climbing, his nervous hand grasped the snowy top of the glacier and he pulled himself up onto a plateau of ice.
Even if he didn’t find what he was looking for, the views from this spot in the southern Ice Lands alone were worth the trek. Most importantly, he’d be able to say he’d achieved this all on his own.
From out of nowhere, looming in the distance, he saw a faint black outline on the bright blue and softly clouded sky. Alderch’s stomach dropped and his heart rate jumped, as he fully comprehended what was flying along the horizon. Even at a safe distance, terror flooded his veins as fire furled out of its massive mouth, and instantly he knew his journey was just beginning.