Spirit Taming

Chapter 400: Watched From Above

Now that they were not under the gaze of a beast hunting them, the group saw that the clear ice ants started to move back toward the area. They were clearly here to pick up the mess that the snow owl had made. It truly showed that they were basically the maids of this castle. It even increased the wonder of it all since they worked so well together.

"We need to find the nest before the clear ice ants take it. They might be unhappy if we take from them once they find it." Clark realized that they could lose the rest of the materials that they were going to get from this battle. It would bring down the morale of the entire group.

"I already found it!" Jerold had dashed ahead and hidden from the snow owl while the other dealt with it. This had led him to climbing the grand stairway in front of him to the railing that the snow owl had been perched on. He was nearing a window of clear and pristine ice that had been broken by the snow owl to be able to hunt the outside plains and be able to take refuge in the ice castle.

The nest had been made of some dried out pieces of ice type herbs and trees that grew around the mountain. The group had not seen them but Isa and Ella recognized them. The small space that was left for the owl to make a nest was at the top of the stairs before it led to three large hallways. This spot would be the busier area for travel if the beasts that lived here had been down it recently.

Unfortunately, the snow owl had moved in and annoyed them. For whatever reason the snow owl had just not been killed yet.

'Winter birch branch- rare

The winter birch is a tree that only grows in very cold climates. It is known for being able to be burned even though it has very dense ice energy within it. There is also the fact that the leave from a winter birch along with the bark can be used to make a medicinal bathing tea. Those that bathe in it will be able to heal from frostbite at a rate double as effective as other means.'

The simple material the nest was made from was very good. Clark gladly stored them away since they might be dealing with frostbite like symptoms later. Especially after they got anywhere near the ice dragon. It was sure to have some skill that brought the temperature of an entire area down.

"Look, these are more pieces of eternal ice. Clark, they are just like the ones you have but way smaller." Clark was looking at the ice that the others found and was very impressed that they had all been able to discern the differences with ease.

"That means we will be able to offer more to the ice dragon for trade. The more eternal ice or shards we find the better. That will be perfect to offer it for its nest." Clark nodded in approval, making the others very happy. The only ones that were leaving the nest alone were Ralph and Brad who were focused on the corridors they could go down. It seemed that they were debating which to go down.

"What's the idea?" Clark could tell that they had figured something out.

"Well, we have both seen pictures or books with castles on them. It's pretty common in storybooks. We think that we are just in the outer castle area right now. We should take the middle passageway and head to the courtyard. A large space for important functions. But for a dragon…"

Brad picked up where Ralph left off, "That would be the best place for a dragon to make a large nest protected by all sides." The two had read the same books as children. Whether someone was rich or poor, fairy tales would make their rounds in any form. That meant that if the castles in those stories had been based on real castles, why wouldn't the design of this one be the same.

"We have already seen things telling of a real castle since we got here. Paintings, tables, carved ice… I agree. We should head down the middle."

Clark fully agreed. He was glad not to be leading everyone at every step. He was able to lean back and watch the group show off their hard earned strength as well.

"We are done here. The clear ice ants are waiting to clean things up." Grace gave a respectful bow of her head to the clear ice ants that had been waiting before them. They all looked at her and returned a nod which was proof that they were more intelligent than they looked.

What had been left of the nest was the normal mess of any beast. But the group had cleared away a large portion of it since the winter birch had made up the nest. That alone was helpful to the clear ice ants that were tasked with cleaning the castle. "So the middle?" Maria was stretching a little since she felt more warmed up after the small battle with the snow owl.

"The middle, we already have an idea about where we are going." The group started moving as soon as Clark confirmed this.

From this point, it felt that they were progressing a lot faster. The cold was increasing which definitely said they were going the right way. But they were still not seeing many beasts. What they were seeing were statues. Ice statues that appeared to be made with the size of both beasts and humans in mind. There were even ice statues that were made to look like knights and warriors.

'Ice knight- ultra rare

An ice knight is a very rare beast that is created through natural and unnatural means. A spiritual beast that perishes around an ice sculpture of a knight has the chance to leave its energy within the ice knight statue. This constant and long term addition of spiritual energy will create an ice knight. A beast with spiritual and ice type energies and affinities.

The ice knight will start with the slightest life around it. By adding ice type energy over long periods of time, it will gain the ability to move the energy within its body. Once it can do this, it will defend the place that is has existed for years.

The ice knight will often only act against those hostile to it. Beward damaging an ice knight, where one is, there are often many more. The ice knight will also…'

"These are ice knights. The human looking ones are beasts. They are ice and spiritual type beasts. But if we don't damage anything or bother them we are fine." The entire group felt shivers down their spine as Clark warned them. Upon hearing this, Ella was able to notice the slight movements. They were watching the group carefully.

"Ralph, you chose the right direction for sure. They have to be here to keep an eye on the ice dragon's nest." Reese saw this as unnerving but also as a great teller of what they were doing. They were making progress toward their goal.

That was, until they heard the thud up ahead. An icy cracking and falling thud. "Something bad is ahead!" Isa was ready to rush back and retreat. Grace was right where she was but Clark caught both of them. Yes this situation was risky but the sound had stopped as soon as it started.

"Don't. We can't leave now. There's another beast right on the ceiling that has been waiting for us." Clark hadn't noticed it until he had glanced up. His heart had nearly stopped when he had seen it.

'Frozen river serpent- ultra rare

The frozen river serpent is a water snake or anaconda that has been crossed with a powerful ice type beast. It may not have an ice dragon bloodline but because of the addition of ice type energy it has greatly grown beyond natural means.

The frozen river serpent often grows to the size of a frozen river and will guard that river to the end of its life making it a safe haven for certain water and ice beasts. It is normally very loyal to the mother that births it, making it a very social beast.

They will gain more intelligence than many beasts that have the same species due to their age and the fact that they are social with their parent. They will also be able to…'

Clark could have read more about the beast. However, he was focused on the crystal blue eyes the frozen rover serpent was looking at them with. "We are here to meet the great ice dragon that rules this dungeon. We have brought gifts to offer in trade for one thing from the great ice dragon.

Will you permit us to speak with them?" Clark saw a glint flash in the frozen river serpent's eyes before a slow hiss reverberated through the passageway.