The wind worsened as they left the confines of the trees and crossed the bare rock towards the feet of the mountain. One could scarsely hear thier own thoughts at times over the it. In its bitterness the land was beautiful, though bare small patches of green could be seen scattered about the rocks, even small shrubs tried to grow many with a layer of frost over them, the wind freezing any moisture in the air to their branches. An on looker may have thought each man had a fire burning inside him for each breath was a plume of steam as the chill took each breath from the air. But the base they did reach finally and finding an outcropping large enough to guard them from the elements they left behind thier horses.<br/><br/>As the men gathered to follow Gerald turned to them and said, "Find a place to lie in wait hidden from our enemy for Erich and the re-enforcements. Myself and Koreshian will accend a hidden pass to infiltrate the stronghold and open it up to you from the inside. May whatever God you believe in be with you." Before they could object Gerald turned and hurried after the barbarian whowas already making his way up the mountainside.