Everyone had this belief that all they’d be facing was the same monsters, weather, and environment that barred the way to the Thousand Islands.

But Lady Frigus, the woman from Gelum Tribe, located on the coastline of this county they called the Thatkean was ruled by a ruling class that seems to have a social hierarchy of their own.

This ruling class spelled it out for anyone who was present at the meeting with Lady Frigus. If there was a ruling class then they are ruling people, and when they are ruling people, it also means they have civilizations and armies that the fleet could not possibly face a long campaign against. Lady Frigus stood in the middle of the meeting room with her map containing the Icean Spine’s region. Fifteen regions marked with landmarks, towns, and routes. Most of the far-west and east side of the map were marked with signs that seemed to imply that they are impassable and endless.

“Fifteen Regions, and you expect us to attack these regions instead act with diplomacy in mind?”

One of the Captains mocked.

Lady Frigus presented herself as a woman with a deadly smile. Unlike the Elven-kin that they were used to. She played with the charm of a noblewoman who knows how to entice and used her beauties to present her arguments.

“Travelers, I assure you that the whole of the Region will deny you of our entry to the Country. Beyond our walls are the Great Seas and our Ancestors have managed to keep it locked from anyone who might trespass. They will offer you greetings and gifts in exchange, but I doubt they would consider it.”

“Do you think we’d be so eager to do it? We have come with Greater Duties!”

Amon Ford declared with a rather zealous tone in his voice. Lady Frigus seemed to take this lightly and gestured on the channel that the fleet could navigate past the Icean Spine.

The Thatkean Channel and the Great Brami and its River Gate. It was sealed by a massive obsidian gate pulled by what Lady Frigus described as enormous gates molded by lava, stones, and gravel forming a fifty-foot thick wall and was about one-hundred sixty foot tall. Above the gate was the equally large and wide volcano that had become a caldera where most of the chains that moved the mechanism of the Great Brami Gates can be found. To move the gates itself was a problem and would take at least for a team of Protectors to move the Gears. Adding to that problem was if the gears could be even moved when Lady Frigus had explained earlier in the meeting that the Great Brami Gates have not been opened a hundred years ago where the native Glacieans choose to open the gates in hopes they could save the land from a severe drought that killed half of their region’s population.

After the drought was gone they closed the gates and sealed it from ever being used again. Lady Frigus was particularly detailed in her history of her region and revealed what the Fleet’s Council wanted from her. Even if they do think she was being unreasonable for her demands. It was simply what her truth was.

Gabrio stood in the sidelines like all the Great-Galleon essential personnel were. Even they couldn’t believe that Lady Frigus, no matter how blunt she was, to demand this out of the Reconnoiter Company in the first meeting was certainly something they did not expect.

Nonetheless they would be fools to agree to this proposition. Even Gabrio could tell that she was slamming the door in front of them so that they would think that assaulting the regions would be the stupidest thing to do.

“I understand this Greater Duties and Lady Eletha of Roan here have enlightened me of your duties as well. I believe in this cause, but I also present the truth that you cannot pass the lands without conflict. Most of the Western Spine has been in conflict with the Eastern Spine and some are not amused with this. This fleet is enormous and though you carry two banners. I can only conclude that you have come with wisdom when it comes to these affairs.”

“Yes we do and our ‘wisdom’ says that we would be fools to accept this proposition that you carry with you. I don’t know what methods have you done to obscure the fleet from the enemy, but I assure you that this will not stop us from using another means other than interfere in a war that we have no care for.”

Admiral Magnus said firmly. He gestured for Lady Eletha to come and she sauntered with much respect towards.

“Milady, have you checked?”

“I have, Admiral,” Lady Eletha said, her tone filled with respect to the Admiral. “I have told the spirits of our fleet to check if there are foreign ones trying to whisper in the ears of our fleet-kin. She has not done anything, but I assure you that she cannot do anything that would lead the crew astray.”

Her voice boomed. Lady Frigus seemed not to mind her words. The Captains and the Essentials of the fleet-kin nodded their heads as well. The fleet-kin were not surprised that the spirits could control the minds of others or lead them astray. It was a common tactic done by the Dynasty and was told known among the nations under Aon on how the spirits could lead the righteous astray.

“It does no matter if you do suspect me. And my words might be nonsense to you travelers, but this is the truth of the fools that have been fighting. We are not united and it won’t be long before they turn against one another and you travelers have a rather superior weaponry that I have not seen before could make a difference. Nonetheless, no, I might have sound that I demand all of you to fight this land, but to warn you of the reality that you must fight in these lands.”

*****

Other than the cautions told by Lady Frigus to the Fleet Council. There were other things that the Fleet worried about other than a skirmish against the People of the Icean Spine. Not only that, they have a problem with communication and clash of cultures. If they want to avoid problems and ask nicely, then they need to convince the fifteen figureheads of the Icean Spine Regions to allow them passage.

Communication with those who are learned is not a problem with the Elven-kin speaking what seems to be a bridge language that they possess. Though reluctant, the Captains and the Essential personnel were given the right to be imparted this lingua franca in hopes they could communicate with the people of the Icean Spine when they could.

The others were clueless to this boon they were given. But even as they were given this boon, the effect of said boon had muddled the thoughts of the Captains and the Essential personnel. It was a blessing that they did not speak to Lady Frigus with such muddled thoughts.

While the information coming from the boon was rather daring. Gabrio, who was studying the way the Elven-kin talked realized some of the words that they were using are not only a click of their tongue but due to how they have taught their tongues to speak such words. He didn’t know why the Elven-kin had a bridge language. But Gabrio also realized that boon to comprehend their language didn’t mean they could understand the words as perfectly as their native tongues. It was enough to write and speak the language and communicate using this language.

Mana, who imparted these languages to Ristina and Gabrio stared emotionlessly at Gabrio. She was not in her Protector-Armor and was only wearing her black dress with lace accents and a white apron over her dress. Emerald eyes and hair, she was certainly wonderful to look at. But still, it surprised Gabrio that an Elven-kin would be willing to wear clothes such as these.

“Gab, eyes, they don’t like that.”

“Pardon, she was so beautiful.”

“Is that so?”

Ristina observed Mana from top to bottom and smiled.

“She wanted to learn from me.”

“Hmm?”

“It came as a surprise, but she usually handles my protection. So when she asked to learn, it really did made me happy. Mana also learns from me in hopes she can heal without her powers as well. It might come as a surprise to you that the Elven-kin do not have knowledge of medicine other than the brews and their reliance on Elven Artes. Mana here is someone willing to take the burden. As expected the younger generation.”

“Younger?”

“She’s as old as we are, Gab. Isn’t that, right?”

“Yes, Teacher.”

Ristina smiled as she wrapped her arms around the unmoving Mana. Mana looked down and stared at the floor. Ristina was fond of her, which was one thing Gabrio was sure about. It took seconds for Ristina to separate herself from Mana and three of them stayed in one side of the Fort Walls. It wasn’t long ever since Lady Frigus declared her intentions to the fleet.

“What a mess.”

“It sure is.”

Ristina rubbed her hands on her coat. Mana appeared to be impervious to the cold wind seeping in the hall. Gabrio noticed that three little spirits sat on her shoulder.

“General reaction seemed to be rather united against that stupidity. Then again, I don't think Lady Frigus wants foreigners to burn their lands as well.”

“Considering what we’ve faced in the past months. I’ve expected their heads to have gone big with all of our recent victories against the enemy and agree to that nonsense.”

“Not these guys at least. They aren’t a Professional Army for a reason. These guys fought for a living and with leaders chosen by the Chancellor. They wouldn’t be too stupid when it comes to acting. Not that we’d do anything without the Wisdom of Admiral Magnus.”

Admiral Magnus of Aon, was certainly the one who had been with the Chancellor ever since he started the Unification of the Nation. He was a pillar of Aon and the only one who Chancellor Aedan could trust when it comes to the fleet.

“Besides, the regions alone that we need to conquer to reach this Great Brami gate will take possibly months or possibly years. Securing the path alone will take us time. Even if we do circumnavigate the spine of the world. It would take us many long years to do so and the danger is just not worth it. Other than that, we simply don’t have the luxury of time and patience to wait for years.”

“Yeah.”

One of the things that they have noticed when observing the far-eastern side of the Spine of the World was the Cosmic Blink that has melted an entire mountain. Reports from the scouting ships revealed that there are anomalies happening on the far-side of the Spine. Not to mention that most of the seas that way had turned into salty deserts. The Fleet was not willing to traverse areas where a Cosmic Blink might happen. The thought of the Fleet being caught in one of the Cosmic Blinks scares them. Even if they have the Blinder with them, they won’t risk the lives of the Company on ‘chances’ and ‘luck’.

There was a reason they were following the Ancient Charts. If it was so easily to round the world then they would have done so already. Unfortunately, it seems the world was too big and the winds are still on the Greater Seas. The fleet was already following the ‘safer’ path and in the end they still have to face such obstacles.

“I guess they want to enter a dialogue with the Leaders of the Icean Spine first. They are separated by Kingdoms and Clans so we might be able to use that to our advantage. We just have to find the non-conservatives who are willing to accept foreign help. But even that I don’t think it will go as peaceful as we liked to.”

“What else is new? Either we fight them all or pick a side that will help us. But if they demand too much from us then you know what that means.”

Gabrio nodded. Even Mana who was standing on the side agreed to the same sentiment that anyone in the fleet would come to conclude if playing diplomat was wasteful.

“Yeah, we just need to make them kneel.”