Eve

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Spirit’s outpost wasn’t much more than a crude shelter from the icy winds that whipped across the tundra: a slight dugout carved into the side of the mountain with a tarp of stitched furs and pelts stretched across the opening to shield it from the weather. Inside the outpost were various baskets of food, crates of necessities and supplies, and a table with scrolls and maps stacked neatly, all lit by the dim glow of sparsely placed candle lanterns. It wasn’t what most would consider a cozy home or den, but it was more than acceptable to FrostFang, who curled up on a fluffy pelt as Spirit started a small fire in a hollow that opened to the air above where the smoke could escape.

The two spoke of the coming of the Aberrations from the Wyrmwound, as well as the history of the Southern Icefield and the Fortress of Ends before heading back out to continue Spirit’s everlasting patrol.
From Glacier outpost 5, they would travel to the Frozen Sanctum, stay briefly, and then loop back.

The sun was low in the sky; the storm had cleared, leaving the air still and sky nearly cloudless as it began to dot with stars. The icy landscape was desolate and devoid of most life with the exception of a tree here and there. Beneath one such tree was a light…

As the newfound pair approached the tree, it became clear that the source of the light was a lantern, and in its light was a dragon, tucked beneath the branches in a small dugout near the trunk. Another Aberration, this one with a rosette-covered hide. The dragon lifted a head as the two approached.

“Are you lost, traveler?” Spirit called out as the dragon slowly rose to its feet, one head alert while the other hung low, eyes barely open.

“I am not,” responded the dragon calmly.

“Are you here to assist in the everlasting patrol of the icy lands that contain the horrors not of this world?” asked FrostFang before Spirit could continue.

The dragon seemed to ponder the question for a moment before she said, “Yes.”

“Excellent!” cried FrostFang. “Spirit, another of my kin has joined us to assist your kind in their mission!”

“No, no,” Spirit shook his head. “I appreciate the offer, but we do not need any more help. The others and I have the situation under control.”

FrostFang seemed to glare as the second Aberration folded her wings around her body, the sleepy head tucking her muzzle into the fluff of her mane.
“That’s fine then,” she said. “I do not need your permission to reside here and patrol the area. Besides, others will arrive soon.”

“Others?” asked Spirit.

“Yes,” replied the dragon under the tree. “A migration is heading this way, branching out to find new territories.”

FrostFang’s eyes seemed to glisten with excitement as Spirit glanced up at the sky. This wasn’t exactly the most comforting place to attempt to carve out a home, though from what he had gathered, that wasn’t something that would deter these twined dragons. If anything, they seemed eager to move into less than hospitable areas.

“I’m FrostFang,” she introduced herself to the dragon under the tree, “And this is Spirit, he’s a Sentry from the Fortress of Ends. Who are you?”

“I’m Eve.” Only the head on the right spoke. She turned and tucked herself back into the hollow she’d made up against the tree. “I suppose I’ll see you around.”

Spirit nodded before turning away and continuing on his route. FrostFang hung back for a moment, processing her excitement that more of her own kin would be heading this way before turning to catch up to her much larger companion.

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