With Vulcadreaus defeated and the volcano that blew up. The world was still dealing with the after-effects of the battle with a god. Sane was called one more time back to Frost Gale and Pale City. Sarne landed Screech and looked at the stable master. the stable master shook his head "Back my Lord?" he asked with a smile. "Sarne smiled back "Yea just love to freeze to death can not get enough of it," said Sarne jokingly. Handing the man some coin. "Take good care of Srceech for me," Sarne commented as he walked away. He made his way to the Civic Harbor Guard building it was not much to look at from the surface but underground, it was quite the place.

Walking up to the guards at the door sane gave a smile. Sarne did recognize them from the few times he had been there before. "I am here to see the Captain," said Sarne sounding all officle knowing they would let him in.

Someone else walked up from behind Sarne looked to be another adventure. She was Pale looking with Long pink hair. Her blue eyes could be seen under the hood blue eyes, she was a head shorter than Sarne. Probably a dark elf thought Sarne. Everyone turned to see what she needed.

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Quest Name: Break the Ice
Participants: Two or more
Location: Frost Gale (Pale City)
Post Requirements: 5 posts per person, 200 words per post
Reward: +1 Renown
Description: Despite the absence of Vulcadreaus, the world is still feeling its effects. The weather patterns around Charon have become unbalanced, with most weather across the continent becoming more extreme than normal. With winter quickly approaching, the ice, snow, and frost in the north have become more dangerous. The ports around the Pale City have frozen over, months earlier than normal. To keep trade and commerce flowing, the city is asking for help in breaking the ice and freeing the harbors. This includes warming the ice, breaking it into smaller pieces, and removing it from the city.

Alicia gave a polite nod and looked to those there “I am searching for the captain. I have come to help with the ice so that trade and sailing may continue as usual” she replied in a calm voice. Her cool blue gaze moved from person to person. She had quite good posture and her head was held high like that of a noble. Her ‘father’ had trained her to move with grace and dignity after all. She wore a broach with the knights crest her father bore for his family name, her sword hilt emblazened with it as well.

Seeing the captain in the distance she nodded politely and walked towards he captain greeting him politely, beginning to talk some of the attempts to break it. She listened closely and pondered on ways to assist. “Right I will head to the docks then and try to assist with this problem you have my word” she said bowing her head in respect to the other. He had nodded in return and with that the girl gave one glance back to the little group before heading outside into the cold to begin with assisting on breaking the ice. It would be a challenge but she didn’t mind

As Alicia walked out Sarne chuckled. "Captian, I guess she said it all. feisty one that one is" remarked Sarne with some sarcasm to the Captain. "She is of a noble house of Blackwood and still has a few things to learn I think."
said Sarne turning to walk out and follow her out.

The Captian smiled. "Make sure no one gets hurt at the docks, Captian or Sir Sequoia." said the Civic Harbor Guard Captian. Sarne just gave a wave as he walked out. of the building. They could hit him in the face almost taking his breath away something he did not like about being here.

Sarne followed the knight of the house of Blackwood. Sarne was a bit confused about her and not completely sure she was of the house of Blackwood Sarne knew the name but not the Blackwood house. She was cute and a bit small for a knight but that did not matter nowadays Sane had met very talented fighters. They were small and taught him a thing or two about small swordsmen.

Arne could see the Docks in the distance there were ships docked and some in the bay there were crews of the ships already out there trying to break up the ice. some on row boats others on the ice with saws and picks and long spiked pools chipping away at the ice.

In the icy sea bay what remains of the Freya, a ship once a trading ship turned She's in excellent shape, at least if you ignore the gaping hole in the center of her hull. She belongs to the salty waters now. The ice and the last storm had done this damage. Now animals have claimed her. They've given her a new purpose without even meaning to, which adds a certain beauty to her fate.

The Freya is an eerie sight from afar, like a ghost ship without a crew. She's barely standing upright and her remaining torn sails swing in the gentle breeze. The ship is now a landmark and a warning for others.

"Wait Sir Blackwood, I wish to walk with you," said Sarne loud enough to be heard. Sarne would work with people on this and maybe she knew more about the ice here than he did.

Alicia talked to a few people who were working on breaking the ice to hear what was tried and nodded sending them inside to warm up for a bit.she then paused at the word sir and turned “do I look like a sir to you, sir?” She asked with a little huff. “. Judging by your speech and outfit I am assuming you are of a noble family?” She asked examining the crest he wore. She recognized it but couldn’t remember the name associated with it. Certainly Alastair would lecture her if he knew she had forgotten a name of another noble family but she didn’t want to be a knight for anything like that. She wanted to help people and protect them like Alastair did. He was her hero after all, having saved and adopted her as a child

“Right well if you are here to break the ice as well then let’s work on that and help these people” she remarked whirling around and moving towards the tools. She didn’t have any arcane abilities to use at this time so it wouldn’t be easy but she was determined to help no matter what

Sarne raised an eyebrow at Alicia's brashness. He wondered if was she really that rude to everyone or just him. Sarne walked with Alicia. and take a different approach. "I am Sarne, yes I am here to help. I wanted to ask you about the plan of action you may have. If you just jump into this someone will get hurt or even die." warned Sarne his tone firm but polite.

"This is sea ice you just do not grab some tool and start to chip away at the ice. If you are in the wrong spot you could fall in and die. Any wrong move out here either you or someone else dies," explained Sarne sounding serious. "So slow down a little and think. you are of a noble house the commoners are going to look up to you," stated Sarne looking at her Sarne could tell she was motivated to help but she was being reclekless right now.

"Now look see what people are doing where you would be the best help make a plan. That incorporates what they are doing. That's how you help." Sarne stopped and realized she still had not given her name. "What's your name?" sarne asked Alicia.

Sarne drew his sword away from Alicia the said something to himself a rune showed on the blade it turned a hot red color. People could see the heat radiating from the sword.

"I was planning on taking a pick axe like they had done to break it up. I don't plan on doing anything big that could get someone hurt or killed." she said in a bit of a calmer tone now. She however flinched at his words "Those commoners are the same as us and we should help how we can to make their lives easier" She replied and paused a moment debating before slowly giving her name "Alicia Blackwood, Adoptive daughter of Alastair Blackwood" she said before glancing to the glowing sword

"If that's all you wish to know then I will find a spot to begin helping break the ice" she replied turning to move away from him. She had mainly been frustrated at the term sir but was a bit put off by 'commoners' looking up to her. Yes she was a knight but she was a person like any other and didnt want to be seen as someone who didnt work for what she had. Blood had nothing to do with noble birth. She had been adopted by the knight but her achievements were all her own and she wanted to make lives better for those she met

Sarne walked near where Alicia was starting to work "I apologize if I came on too strong. I have seen and felt enough death to last a lifetime already." Sarne said making a few swings with his sword. It cut through the ice like water. Some stopped to watch as he made quick work of the ice making them into smaller blocks that could be moved easily.

A few men looked at what he was doing and brought several tools to either push it out or pull it out to break it down. "Lady Alicia, I too am here to help these people" commented Sarne. "What I can do is save people hours of work," said Sarne with a smile to the men helping now. "Maybe you do not want the responsibility of nobility. I know I dread it sometimes. But as long as I carry this crest I am obligated to be a representative of my family and carry the family standards with me," explained Sarne cutting more ice into blocks.

Alicia can see three others wearing the same crest but not a family different. The three are all dressed in black. Male Dwarf, female Half-Elf, male Elf. the Crest a Wolf with a sword. Sarne looks over to the female half-Elf "Naesala, Lone Lady Alicia the Sword." requested Sarne with a grin.

Naesala female Half-Elf, drew the sward and placed it in both hands laying flat across them. "My lady, Place use this sword," said Naesala. The sword had a fire rune on it. "That sword will cut the ice easily," commented Sarne cutting more ice.

Alicia listened to him unsure of how to respond or what to say to the man. She kept her mouth shut as she listened and such. “I will bear that responsibility if I must but I dislike the attitude of many born into such roles who put such a divide between themselves and others. We are all the same” she said simply as she then paused and looked to the sword that was offered nodding a bit before taking it carefully. It took her a moment but she figured out how to use the rune but once she did she began cutting the ice focusing on it.

She felt a bit bad knowing she would get an earful for her behavior from Alastair most likely. She hated disappointing him. She was still learning to hold her tongue. She was getting better at it and knew she was too stubborn for her own good though she refused to admit it. For now she just focused on the ice cutting it in easy to grab squares. At least it was relaxing in a way to do some good and be able to help people. She ignored the cold as she worked occasionally glancing around

Stopping for a moment and sighing. Sarne turns to Lady Alicia. With a slight bow placed his hand on his chest. "I missed read the situation and you. Can you forgive me Lady Alicia. I do feel the same I was not brought up like most nobles and don't always take their side often." explained Sarne looking a little inbarsest.

He stood back up taking a few more cuts into the ice. Sarne had never made so many apologies at one time as he had done now. Sarne must have looked like a total jerk to Lady Alicia. Moving to another position to cut more ice Sarne just was beside himself how rude could he be?

Nordic, Naesala, and Vamir looked at Sarne and Lady Alicia. They knew their Captain a kind man that would give his shirt to someone in need. Would even buy one just like the orphans back home.

Naesala seeing Sarne struggle some with Lady Alicia smiled and shook her head. "Lady Alicia, My Captain speaks the truth. He is kind and not like other nobles. That's why we followed him. What made me follow him? It was the orphans back home. Lord Sarne and his cousin take care of them as if they were his children." explained Naesala with a slight smile thinking back.

Nordic and Vamir looked at each other and smiled too. "Aye, Captain saved our lives. Even when he did not have to. Naesala was going to be married off well more like sold to a noble. The Captian stopped that from happening and got in some trouble for it." said Nordic the Dwarf shook his head. "Ye trouble, that is Captain," Nordic said moving a big block of ice.

Alicia paused and glanced over to the embarassed knight a bit surprised by the sudden apology. She paused a moment in thought before glancing to him once more “I accept your apology. I…apologize for any brashness I may have had” she replied, her cheeks tinting from the cold and embarassment as she looked away and went back to work.

She glanced back to the retainers a bit surprised though continued to work as she listened keeping her expression plain as she thought over what they were saying.they sure praised him highly that was for sure. She however merely nodded to show she heard them not sure what to make of the group yet. The group seemed to speak the truth and with his symbol he must be a true noble but that didn’t mean he was truly kind. She knew most did things for good press and prestige and had a certain persona when in public or around others. For now however she would try not to start more issues and merely just go along with working to help on the current situation, carefully cutting the ice for others to grab with the sword she had been lended.

Sarne appreciated the apology as well. Most did under-estimate him as well thinking he was some stuffy noble. his family had been around for hundreds of years long before the current king. He was told at one time his family like was a distant cousin of the King but had no line to the throne. That is why they had the Duke title in the family. That did not matter to Sarne much. Sarne would make his own way in Charon.

"All I ask for is honesty. Brashness can be refreshing at times. If I could not handle that what type of Noble would I be?" commented Sarne his face getting a little red from the cold as well. Alicia was an interesting lady by far over a lot of other snobbish rich brats that Sarne would have to deal with.

There was a loud cracking noise as some pushed the ship with polls the ship moved slowly to one side breaking away from the ice. there was a cheer for the people working there with Sarne and Alicia. They made a few more cuts in the ice to get some more ice cleared out of the way. It was starting to look like they would free another ship soon.

Alicia glanced at him as he spoke. Honestly was always important she would agree to that. With that out of the way she then fully turned her attention back to the job at hand moving more and more ice out of the way before hearing the sounds of the ship slowly being able to move. A small smile appeared on her face as she was happy to have helped the people get the ship free. It would be good for them as it opened trade again with other regions of Charon again. Once complete she stood up straight and looked to sarne and his servants, making sure the sword deactivated and grew cold again before handing it back “thank you for allowing me to use this blade it made this endeavor quite a bit easier” she replied as she then looked back to the ship relieved. It was certainly nice to have been able to help the people and she felt a rush of pride seeing people cheer and smile. after a moment she turned away to get off the ice “I suppose it was nice to meet you sir sarne” she remarked glancing over before walking back towards the building

Sarne paused as she walked away. Nordic, Naesala, and Vamir looked at Sarne with an inquisitive look. Nordic was the first to say something. "Captain, so just let it go hu?" commented Nordic. Naesala looked at sarne next. "I like her. She is much like you Captain. So just let her walk away?" remarked Naesala with a sly smile. Sarne looked at Vamir. Looking back at Sarne Vamir shook his head "Not you too," said Sarne now watching Lady Alicia walk away. "yes Captain." answered Vamir.

Sarne raised his hands in surrender. "ok, ok I will talk to her." said Sarne with a grin. Sarne started to quicken his pace to catch up to Lady Alicia. As Sarne walked he wondered what to say to her. Sarne did not want to be too forward with her she was a Lady there was etiquette to follow or that was the way Sarne was raised. He could feel himself get a bit nervous as he got close to her.

"Ah... Lady Alicia, what are you going to do next?" It was a fair question and not too intrusive Sarne hopped. Sarne thought she probably did not have a good opinion of him from his first impression and the confusion between them. Could he make it up and would she even talk to him with everything being over.

Alicia paused as she glanced back hearing him slowing her walk a bit so he could catch up a bit easier "I should report to my father on how the events of todays quest went and then I have heard rumors of strange events beginning around charon. I would like to look into those as well" she replied as she continued on. She wasn't sure many details on the new events in the world but had heard something about flowers and time.

"What do you plan on doing lord sarne?" she questioned politely in reply as she listened and spoke with him until they were back at the builing to tell the quest givers about their success and making sure they didnt need anything else for the time being. Once she confirmed everything was alright and working well she nodded wishing them well before then giving a polite nod to Sarne wishing him farewell for now.

With that she walked out into the night and to the inn for the evening before she would take her horse and head home in the morning. It had been quite the event for her as her thoughts drifted to the lord she hadmet and his companions