I push Kane to ride faster. He looks miserable and sleep deprived. I felt bad for waking him so early but it can't be helped; he should now by now that I'm racing a clock- the clock for his sister's life.

The wind blows steadily. It's pretty cold. I really wouldn't mind activating my powers to make me stop feeling the cold and absorb it instead. Yet, I can't thanks to Kane's presence. Things would have been less complicated if he wasn't royalty and I wasn't a tethered.

I find it absolutely ridiculous that fate manages to write our background stories, our abilities, race and talents far before we even appear in the picture. Fate expects us to build on that and we're mainly judged on it too. Look at Kane- he is handsome, wealthy and  royal. I'm 120% sure that millions of girls must be swarming over him. Maybe I'm paranoid. Maybe it's because he'll make an ideal catch for them with a bonus of flirtatiousness thrown in as well. The mere thought of girls waiting like starved vultures waiting to get their claws on him makes me sick and angry. It makes me want to unleash a massacre upon them and tear them limb from limb, preferably agonizingly slowly. I also want to jump off a cliff for thinking these things. I haven't the foggiest idea why.

"Drevial, where are we supposed to travel now?"

"Howlers Peak."

"I want to know why."

"You know how annoying it is when you demand for things-"

"I will continue to do so. By the way, if you find it distracting from the mission you could have said so." he winks.

"I wonder if you like to ride gagged up with a hoof-print on that swollen head of yours for the rest of the journey?"

"I wonder where you got this bright, joyful nature of yours? It's very becoming."

I angrily gallop a bit faster allowing the cold wind to numb my frozen face.Of all people, why do I let him get on my nerves?

The path narrows and begins to wind upwards. A thin ledge which we'll have to scale. The rocks are encased in a sheet of ice, magnifying the pattern of the rock below. A few roots thrust out of the hill side laden with snow. There isn't life to be seen. Just ice and snow. The pathway up is surely slippery and fatal. Yet, there's no other way to reach Howlers Peak.

I dismount and check my gear: a rope, a couple of daggers and my bow and arrows. It's all I need. I really want this stop to be quick. The sooner we get moving the better. Not too many great tales are told of Howlers Peak. It's a place where nobody goes and those who do- aren't seen ever again. Worst of all nobody knows why.

"Did you take whatever you need?" I asked.

"Yes; don't you think that you should stay while I go though? It looks dangerous."

"You dare doubt me? Oh ye of little faith how foolish you are!"

"Unfortunately I know that." he mutters before adding in a whisper," you murderous, dangerous, terribly gorg-"

"You are aware that I can hear every word your saying, right?"

"Unfortunately I do."

I smirk. I'm halfway sorry I stopped him and halfway glad I did. I try to shake myself and give myself mental slaps to repel his compliments. Repel him. But must he be so- intriguing?

I carefully place my foot on the ledge. My outstretched hands grope around till they stumble on a unfrozen patch in the rock. You never know when you can loose your balance. Artfully I edge on inch by inch with Kane at the rear. His hand is placed over mine so that I lead him to the correct spot of rock to hold on to. Thankfully he doesn't question me. In fact I don't mind it too. It's nice when a warm hand holds your own frozen ones.

"Please be careful Drevial. Don't loose your footing. Remember-"

"-to hold on to the rock tighter in case you feel unsafe and stop at intervals to catch your breath." I finish for him.

I grin triumphantly hoping that he'll shut up now. He looks stunned before flashing another mischievous grin, his eyes twinkling in sheer delight.

"You read my mind huntress. I find it adorable the way we finish each others sentences."

"Shut up."

I felt my ears burning. Blood rushes up flooding my face before I could even control myself. Oh god. He grins even more dashingly.

"You look very red Drevial. I heard that no one could ever blush so much. I wonder why...."

His thumb slowly runs circles on my hand below his. I shiver at the movement. I want to toss him off from this cliff and bury the prick alive. No one gets the upper hand when it comes to me.

"Careful. It isn't becoming when you try to show too much desperation." I say carefully picking out my words inching forward faster.

His face goes blank. I knew I'll somehow strike a nerve. I flash a smile. He recovers seconds later smiling too.

"Aren't you a sassy one?"

I purposely shut my eyes and quickly mount onto the peak. Sassy? The nerve of that prince!

The peak is laden in snow. A marble platform rises from the middle. Massive pillars reach out into the sky from around the platform though it supports no roof. A pool lies in it's center. The pool to all the answers I need to find Faerliss- The pool of Hope.

"Drevial- what's that?"

"To use Howlers pool we must pass a test. I have no idea what it is exactly because no one succeeded but we must. For Faerliss' sake."

"And who are they?"

I stare at what Kane points at. From behind the nearest two pillars they peer out. Their slender woman-like figures made entirely of shadows. Actual shadows. Their eyes hollow sockets where I could see nothing but the dark abyss of their souls. A big toothy grin etches among their face revealing fangs as white as the snow around them. They both wear identical amulets , which is shaped like a wolf, resting on the hollow of their throats.

"They ,my dear Kane, are our examiners- Howlers Demons and they'll happily try to destroy us..."