Come down, come down sweet reverence

Jynn headed westward from the strange sort-of-island into a wide valley. Deep blue water cut into the valley where jagged, gray mountains pushed up high on either side. Jynn could see the pine trees growing in patches here and there and she could hear what sounded like a few waterfalls. Above her the sky was a muted, ashy gray courtesy of a blanket of clouds that veiled the sun and changed the normally piercing golden light to a muted eggshell color. She panted for a moment, taking a few deep breaths and marveling at how her breath turned to fog in the air. Even though it was autumn here the chill in the air felt like winter. They'd need to be mindful in order to avoid hypothermia.

Dagrún gazed into the valley where the sea gut into the earth. Rocky forms towered on either side of the valley and she gazed for awhile at a water fall that rushed its way from the very top of a nearby rock face all the way into the sea below. At this distance the sound was particularly relaxing, providing a background ambience to their exploration. "This is a neat place." She padded closer to the edge of the water before reaching out and daring to dip her paw in. She scuttled back. The water was absolutely frigid, far colder than the waters of the Rio Grande. "So, why do they call it the Polar Sound?" Was it because the waterfalls were making sound?

Come down, come down sweet reverence

Jynn walked along the water's edge, carefully eyeing the water and checking for signs of potential predators. She slowed a bit and gazed back at the yearling as Dag questioned her. "Well, a 'sound' is just an area where the ocean cuts into the land. It's like an inlet or a bay but usually bigger. I think that's why they call it that." She couldn't be sure though. Jynn had no idea how these lands got their names and she often wondered who was the first to name them and how had the names stuck and remained. Was there some great explorer who first found the lands and named them or were the names simply exchanged by the groups living in these lands. She expected it was probably the later.

Dagrún listened to Jynn's explanation though she liked her reasoning better. Why would they call a place where the ocean came inland a 'sound'? It didn't have anything to do with sound. Well, she wasn't a linguist and it didn't change the beauty of the place. Dag continued along the shore line until she reached the thicker pine forests at the base of the other valley wall. Welp, the only thing to do now was start climbing. Dagrún went head first into the task, wishing her mother could see her scaling these mountains and braving the cold weather. She'd have to keep an eye open for anything that make a good gift.

Come down, come down sweet reverence

Jynn followed along after Dagrún. As long as the girl was heading in the right direction she was content to follow and course correct as needed. Jynn wasn't looking forward to climbing the rocky terrain but she knew the elevation of the north would demand it at some point. At least there were pine trees here. She loved the scent of these woods, the mix of pine, cedar, and other trees she didn't have a name for. The pleasant aroma gave her fuel and she continued on noting patches of snow here and there from a past storm that had yet to fully melt as it was shaded by the trees. Autumn could be risky. Snow could easily happen this far north.

Dagrún climbed step by step, pausing to watch another water fall stream down the steep valley wall and into the ocean below. She took care to pick out her path and make sure not to head any where to steep. She'd never hear the end of it if she fell and broke something and had to have a stranger carry her all the way back to Fireside. Dag used the trees to help her climb though the higher they got it was becoming obvious the trees were getting smaller and thinner. Still, they were almost there. Dag was sure she could just see the top coming into view. The sight gave her an extra boost and she pushed forward.