[img]http://i.imgur.com/UlzA0f1.png[/img]

Atticus had to brace himself against the wind. It had grown in strength until the gusts threatened to lift him from his feet, and the dust that whirled around the circle soon came to obscure the group clustered around Isis. The wind howled in his ears, and though he tried desperately to keep sight of Siya amongst the debris, she and the others became lost in the darkness. The green glow from the circle at his feet grew in intensity as well, until it dominated his vision. 

He opened his mouth to call to those around him, but the words were robbed from his throat. What seemed like an eternity passed, and the wind blew so loud that it seemed to repress the ability of his mind to think. Then, as quickly as it had come, a black, utter calm came over Atticus. 

No sound reached his ears, and no light shone to his eyes. For several long moments he stood frozen in place, his feet firmly on ground, but as yet unseen in the enveloping gloom. Slowly, almost tentatively, color began to seep into the black like ink onto the edge of a page. Atticus could see that the rest of the party was gathered around him, just as they had been in the Ardgroom. 

They appeared to be in a high ceilinged cavern, illuminated warmly by several glowing orbs placed at where the cavern’s walls met its floor. Atticus looked around to each of the group in turn, nodding to them in a gesture of reassurance that everything was as it should be. 

“Welcome to Alaska,” came a guttural voice from just beyond the orange sphere of light. 

Atticus turned on his heels towards the voice. Out of a cut doorway in the stone came the hulking form of a werewolf with handsome mottled gray fur and eyes of rich amber. As the creature stepped fully into the light, and amongst the group, it began to rapidly shift until all that remained was the short, round figure of Reginald Hoyle, fully clothed and sporting his signature bowler hat. Atticus let out a soft sigh of relief before moving to shake the man’s hand. 

“We’re glad to be here to help, sir.”

Reginald smiled to Atticus, and then to the others of the company. “I trust the journey through the Deep Wind was not too unpleasant?”

Atticus snorted and smirked, “I think even after what transpired last year I’d prefer a Shade Gate.”

“Quite so,” Reginald said with a twinkle in his eyes. The werewolf turned and beckoned for them to follow. “Come along, my friends. We’ve much to discuss,” and with that, the small man disappeared into the darkness.

Atticus fell into step behind Reginald, but not before quickly turning to those around him. “Mr. Hoyle didn’t inform me we were to be coming here directly. Just a heads up, we’re about to meet his sister. Whatever you do, be mindful of your body language. Keep it calm and clear.” He glanced to Siya, “Try not to show your fangs. And Henry…” He pointed to the Siren, “for our sakes don’t let your magic slip into your voice, or it will be the worse for all of us.”