The mule whickered again as Alyssa pulled it behind her stubborn at being forced to carry the majority of the load up the path to the temple that rested atop the mountain. It was laden down with her armor, her personal supplies and then some goods she picked up for the Monastery given their remote location. The most important possession at the moment she held herself in a small, unadorned wooden case. It had been quite sometime since she returned, even longer since she had brought back any artifacts. The going was slow what with the pack mule and her own cautious going with her cargo, to the point Alyssa had stopped part of the way up to make camp. There she reflected on how peaceful the trip could be amongst the chirping of the nightlife in stark contrast to the raucous nature and dangerous elements within the temple that rested atop the hill.<br/><br/>Before the sun peaked over the horizon Alyssa broke camp and completed the last leg of the trip, approaching the temple along the winding pathway, faithful yet obstinate pack mule trailing behind her. Walking up to the imposing gates she took a deep breath hoping at least a few of them weren't passed out in the throes of heavy hang overs. Raising the heavy brass knocker on the gate she slammed it against the wood several times hoping the ruckus would catch an early birds attention or rouse one of them from sleep.