After receiving Aresenn’s impromptu lesson on navigating the rough waters between The Polar Sound and Ardens Glacies, Azoula felt confident in returning to the sound without him. And so, once they finally reached the island, she’d glance at the crimson male and Rhazien- a silent goodbye, as she ushered Delanie away from the two. Pushing the girl with her snout, forcing her to traverse over the icy, ebony rocks. She’d use this time to navigate the island, to see what it had to offer their kingdom. At first, the shoreline was pretty dull- those icy, jagged rocks jutting out in all directions, expanding into an imperfect perimeter that went on for miles. The outer ringlet was devoid of foliage, but if you looked up into the mountain range, there was a youthful forest near the peak of the dome. But this beach, it wasn't anything to gawk over- the jagged rocks looked like spears, covered in ice and algae which made them slippery and hard to navigate. Shifting her weight with each step, Azoula moved forward with feline precision- testing each stone before she shifted her weight again. This was to avoid any weak spots in her path, so a weathered stone didn't crumble beneath her weight and make her tumble down. “Careful where you step, Delaeni.” She purred, looking over at the girl before motioning her towards a path. It seemed to lead up the icy rock face, and towards the forest above. All around them, seabirds were flying in the sky and mewing to each other- having created nests on the rocky cliffsides, now on alert with two predators entering their breeding grounds. ”Speech”

Delaeni followed Azoula's lead, stepping carefully over the icy rocks as they made their way along the shoreline of Ardens Glacies. The jagged rocks were treacherous, their surfaces slick with ice and algae, making each step a careful calculation to avoid slipping. She kept close to Azoula, her teal eyes scanning the area for any signs of danger.

As they walked, Delaeni couldn't help but marvel at the stark beauty of the island. The icy rocks contrasted sharply with the deep blue of the ocean, creating a breathtaking panorama that stretched out before them. Gulls soared overhead, their cries echoing off the cliffs as they circled in search of food. Delaeni watched them with fascination, noting the way they swooped and dived with such grace and precision. As they continued along the shoreline, Delaeni's attention was drawn to a path that led up the rocky cliffs towards a dense forest. She followed Azoula's gesture, carefully making her way up the path. The climb was steep and challenging, but Delaeni was determined to explore every inch of this new territory. She kept her eyes peeled for any signs of life, her senses alert to any potential threats. Be careful, Laney. Just like Azoula said.

"Delaeni Terblanche"

Traveling up the rock face was challenging- requiring far more caution and precision than the swim to the island. The pathway was poorly formed, being rarely traveled. The terrain consisted of obsidian rocks that were sharp, jagged, and perilous. And there were random sections slicked over with layers of black ice, which meant Azoula couldn’t tell how slippery it was until she stepped on it. She had her claws unsheathed, tapping against the stone with each step she took, listening for the sound of claws against stone, or claws against ice. What did Sephiran see in this place. Keeping Delaeni in her peripheral vision, she ushered the girl forward, not wanting her to fall behind. She needed to stay close enough to grab her, if need be. And perhaps, the tigress’ worrying had been misplaced- as she stepped up onto a large boulder in their path, to pull herself up, she lost her balance. Damn black ice. Her claws raked against the ice, carving thick lines as she yowled and fell backward, almost on top of Laney. Growling, she picked herself up, taunting the rock face inside of her head. They’d need to go a different way. Looking around, she notices there is another patch branching off this one- far steeper in comparison, but it would have to work. All around them, the seabirds continued to cry out, swooping down into the outcroppings, to settle down into their nests and avoid the predators. She took this moment to peer out across the ocean, which seemed so far away now that they were halfway up the dome. The massive formation of Boreas looming in the west- The Polar Sound in front of them, a large beach that morphed into grassy plains to the left, and a snowy beach with a sparse pine forest to the right. Interesting. She made a mental note, that Ardens Glacies had good vantage points.   ”Speech”

Delaeni watched with concern as Azoula slipped on the black ice, her heart skipping a beat as the tigress almost fell on top of her. She took a step back, giving Azoula space to regain her balance, her teal eyes wide with worry. "Are you okay, Azoula?" she asked, her voice filled with concern.

As Azoula picked herself up and looked for an alternative path, Delaeni's gaze wandered over the treacherous terrain. The obsidian rocks were sharp and unforgiving, their surfaces gleaming in the sunlight. The black ice made the footing even more precarious, and Delaeni knew she would have to be extra careful as they continued their ascent. She followed Azoula as they made their way along the new path, the steep incline making her muscles ache with exertion. The forest above seemed to beckon to her, its dense canopy offering a promise of shelter and safety. But the climb was arduous, and Delaeni found herself pausing often to catch her breath and steady her nerves.

Despite the difficulty of the terrain, Delaeni couldn't help but feel a sense of exhilaration. The beauty of the island was unlike anything she had ever seen, and she was determined to explore every inch of it, no matter the risk. She kept close to Azoula, her eyes scanning the surroundings for any signs of danger as they continued their ascent. She knew that one wrong step could send her tumbling down the rocky slope, but she was willing to take that risk for the chance to explore this beautiful, untamed island.

"Delaeni Terblanche"

The girl’s concerns went in one ear and out the other- Azoula was too prideful to let Delaeni dwell on her miscalculation. And so, she’d move onto their next course of action, herding the girl towards the thinner, more treacherous path up the rock face. They’d have to navigate it with extreme caution- testing each step before they took another, looking for indications of black ice. They’d also have to lean into the hillside- the gusts were stronger now that they were closer to the top, and Laney was so tiny she might be blown away. “Push your weight against the mountainside- keep yourself upright.” She’d remind her, but Laney was already doing a decent job at walking along the path. Azoula? It took more effort on her end, because she was larger and heavier than Laney. And finally, they would reach the peak of the dome, having successfully navigated across the treacherous domain without any injuries. Grasses started sprouting at their paws, the terrain leveling out into a lush, flourishing pine forest- an untapped reserve teeming with wildlife, the reward of their difficult travels. “Come, Laney. Let’s explore the forest.” She’d say, smirking at the girl. They were both a little worn out by the point, but from here, their journey would be easier. Prowling through the forest, Azoula was quite impressed with the abundance of prey and foliage- there were even herds of deer and ox here, flourishing in this haven lacking in apex predators. Now she understood why Sephiran wanted the island. Weaving through the forest for what felt like miles, it suddenly dropped off in front of them- a massive creator forming on the other side of the cliff, a massive dome filled with what looked like a freshwater lake. Interesting. Peering down, she was in awe at the sheer size of it. It looked like a miniature ocean.  She'd never seen anything like it. ”Speech”

Delaeni took each step with cautious precision as they navigated the steep, treacherous path up the rock face. The jagged rocks seemed to loom over her menacingly, their sharp edges gleaming in the sunlight. She followed Azoula's lead, leaning into the mountainside to counterbalance the strong gusts of wind that threatened to knock her off her feet. Her teal eyes darted around, scanning the terrain for any signs of danger, her senses on high alert as they made their way towards the peak of the dome.

Despite the challenges of the climb, Delaeni couldn't help but marvel at the breathtaking beauty of their surroundings. The lush, flourishing pine forest spread out before them, a verdant oasis amidst the stark landscape of the island. The air was alive with the chirping of birds and the rustling of leaves, and Delaeni found herself enchanted by the tranquil melody of nature. Tall pine trees towered overhead, their branches swaying gently in the breeze as shafts of golden sunlight filtered through the dense canopy, casting dappled patterns of light and shadow on the forest floor below.

As they continued their journey through the forest, Delaeni's senses were overwhelmed by the abundance of life teeming within its depths. She spotted a herd of deer grazing peacefully among the trees, their sleek coats shimmering in the sunlight. Birds flitted from branch to branch, their colorful plumage a vibrant contrast against the verdant greenery. Delaeni's heart swelled with wonder at the sight, her soul drinking in the beauty of this untamed wilderness.

When they reached the edge of the cliff overlooking the freshwater lake, Delaeni gasped in awe at the sight before her. The lake stretched out before them, its crystalline waters shimmering in the sunlight like a vast mirror reflecting the sky above. Delaeni couldn't tear her gaze away from the mesmerizing scene, her mind filled with a sense of wonder at the majesty of nature.

"It's... it's incredible," she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper. "I've never seen anything like it." She turned to Azoula, her teal eyes shining with excitement.

-end thread-

"Delaeni Terblanche"