Chapter 2. The Northen Lights 1

In the mountainside of Mt. Gigantes, Bifrost is located within the Bifrost plateau. Bifrost, is well known for its rangers, and the legendary machina Askaton, and it is ruled by selected Earl, not by a hereditary succession, has remained neutral even though Bifrost shares a common border with the empire. Bifrost has been able to keep neutral because of Mt. Gigantes, which played a great role as its shield.
Eiolin and paladins asked for a meeting from the Earl when they arrived in Bifrost. Soon after, they were led to the inside of the palace, where they could meet with the Earl, Mozel.
"It's been a long time, Earl Mozel."
Eiolin greeted politely, and Mozel welcomed them warmly standing up from his chair. 
"Haha, Eiolin! You have grown into such a beautiful lady now! I remember when you were a little girl about 10 years ago! That young man beside you, is that Rashid? Haha, you are not a baby anymore!"
"Hello."
Rashid also greeted with a smile.
"By the way, I am so sorry about your parents.", The Earl said
Eiolin's face grew serious, "Since then, I have never forgotten. Rashid and I will rebuild the kingdom!"
"I apologize that I was not able to assist Pandragon in its time of need. Though I wanted to help Pandragon, I could not just ignore our tradition of being neutral. Your father had been an old friend... I am really sorry."
"It is just past, you do not have to worry about that. Even now you accept us here."
"Haha, It is not a big deal. Even though the empire keeps asking me to send you, the Great Bifrost will never be forced! Because of tradition, I could not be involved in the war, but we have great enough military. But... now the empire is fortifying their borders.. it will not be easy to get to Da'ghal."
"No matter what awaits us there, we must go to Da'ghal. If you allow us to stay for few days to rest for a while, after that we will break through the border."
"It is impossible!", Exclaimed A man with Blonde had entered the room, "Sorry to disturb the conversation. I am the Earl Mozel's Advisor, Strider. I am so glad to see Eiolin and the paladins of Pandragon."
"It is alright, Sir Strider. Then, why do you think it is impossible?"
"In my opinion as a ranger, your plan is impractical. According to the information we have gathered, the empire has reinforced their hold on the border, they even have machinas there. Even though you succeed in breaking through, there will be casualties. why don't you try going to Da'ghal through Mt. Gigantes?"
Eiolin seemed quite interested in his opinion and asked, "Is it possible to go to Da'ghal through Mt. Gigantes?"
" It is very possible. Our rangers often go to the Northen ice field through Mt. Gigantes. After reaching the ice field, there is a route that goes to Da'ghal. But......", After saying that Strider seemed to hesitate.
"But... what..?"
"Mt. Gigantes has a very rugged mountain terrain more than you can imagine. It is not easy to get there even for us Rangers. You and your paladins are not used to the mountain. It will be a harsh journey."
"Hmmm....", Eiolin seemed deep in thought, but in the end, she had no choice. Strider was right. There will be plenty of casualties if she decided to break through the border through force. 
Finally, she had made a decision.
"Alright, I understand. Crossing Mt. Gigantes would be better than fighting with the empire force to get to Da'ghal."
Mozel stood up and suggested, 
"How about this? I will introduce you to our expert on the mountain! He is surely able to guide you until your reach  Da'ghal."
Strider seemed hesitant and asked, "Are you talking about... Gray?"
"Haha, He is an expert on that Mountain! I'm sure Gray can guide them safely to Da'ghal!"
Eiolin seemed confused and asked, "Who is Gray?"
Strider answered, "His whole name is Gray Scavenger. He was trained by Anagi who had taught all rangers in Bifrost. He has been a ranger only for a few years, but he has explored and discovered many unknown areas on the mountain. He is already famous among the rangers. He is a close friend to me, and the Earl knows him very well, right now he is in the palace, I will ask him to come here."
After that, Strider left the room to search for Gray, and the Earl informed Eiolin about Gray.
"He is the best ranger we have. If he takes this job, It will be a relief knowing you are all in safe hands."
"Is he really as good as you say like that?", Eiolin inquired of the Earl.
"Definitely! I Would not have informed you of him if he was not."
"So, That's why....."
Mozel and Eiolin had a conversation for a while.
"The Gigantes, you must not underestimate it, especially for Paladins like you. You must be prepared to suffer."
"Hahaha, your highness, you worry too much. We have been trained well to be Paladins. We can do anything that the Rangers can do!" Locarno said.
Mozel disagreed, "No, the Rangers may not be as strong as you Paladins are on the battlefield, but knights are not as strong as the Rangers on the mountains."
"Haha, they are just fast, but feeble! We have better stamina and we can learn the ranger's skills easily." Locarno boasted.
"You are kidding, right?" , a voice was heard behind them, they see another man entering the hall alongside Strider.
He looked to be in his twenties and had black hair and a well-balanced body. He kneel down and said to the Earl.
"I'm back, your highness."
"Welcome Ranger Gray! You may have heard from Strider, but allow me to introduce you to my guests, They are paladins of Pandragon."
With his introduction, all paladins greeted Gray one by one.
"This is Eiolin Pandragon."
"I am Rashid, nice to see you.".
"I am the leader of Pandragon Paladins, Duran Rambrant."
"I am Locarno, haaaa... Why should I follow a ranger?"
"I am Gray Scavenger."
After their greetings, Mozel told Gray, "I ask a favor of you, I want you to help them to pass Mt. Gigantes. I know it is not easy, but I have no one else to ask except you."
"I heard about it from Strider. Of course, it is not easy even for me, especially with these people. I am not sure they would follow my orders. Could you please find someone else to guide them?"
Gray tried to reject it politely.
"But, there is nobody else who knows Mt. Gigantes better than you in Bifrost, even in the continent. Moreover, you are quite close to the nomadic tribes in the northern ice field."
"However.....", Gray seemed to hesitate. 
"Please," Eiolin said, "I promise you that we will cooperate with you as much as we can. So please help us, of course, you will be paid generously."
Locarno complained, "We do not have to beg a ranger for help! Princess, we don't need him. It is just a mountain, we can pass through easily!" 
"Just a mountain....?", Gray said seeming to get angry at Locarno's outburst, "You really don't know anything about Mt. Gigantes. It is a roof of the continent with thousands of peaks from the west of Dragon Breaths to the east of Da'ghal. Even if we take shortcuts, we would still have to pass hundreds of peaks to get to Da'ghal, and the trails are quite rough even for us Rangers."
"But, we have no choice. We must go through Mt. Gigantes with taking risks. If you do not help us, we will go without you."
Eiolin looked so determined, and Gray finally nodded, "Ok, I will help you."
"Thank you, Gray."
"But, there are conditions..."
"What are they..?"
"First, please follow my orders without question. I know you all are nobles, but there are rules which must be followed in the mountain. If you do not follow my directions, I cannot ensure your safety."
"How arrogant can you be?!?", Locarno felt humiliated and was about to draw his spear.
Duran stopped him from doing that and said,  "Stop, Locarno! Princess Eiolin will decide, not you! If she accepts this, we just need to follow. Do not act rashly!"
Locarno looking chastised looked away and said, "Apologies, Sir Duran...."
Eiolin accepted the conditions set by Gray, "Yes, we will follow your directions while passing the mountains. Please help us pass the mountains safely."
And, she held out her hand,
Gray seemed to consider her hand before saying, "Ok, fine. Let's do this."
Gray and Eilolin, shook each other's hands. Mozel looked at them and said, "Hahaha! That's great! Gray! please take care of them! Princess and Paladins, please rests and prepare yourselves for your journey to Da'ghal."
That marked this occasion as the first meeting between, Gray, Eiolin, and Rashid.
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