---[b]THE NEXT MORNING[/b]---

The blizzard had set in only last night. Half the training programs had been cancelled due to the severity of the storm, but the party had to leave now if they wished to intercept the army before it reached their destination. Whatever that may be. Hardel stood with his thick furr cloak wrapped tightly over his frame, Alistair beside him wearing his robes with a simple cloak draped over them. The cold wind was stabbing at any bare flesh it could find with needles of ice. A gust swept over Hardel's face forcing the man to blink and wipe away some of the slush in his beard. "The gods seem to be trying to make thing difficult Alistair! Are you sure it is wise to send them now?"
"If we delay any longer then we will never reach them in time! Besides, Daemons do not care for most gods!"
"I was thinking more on those born of this world!" Hardel grunted and stepped back into the gate house, the howling winds were blowing through the stone building making it sound as though the entire citadel was inhabited by wailing banshees. A horrid noise to be sure. "Where are those dam students?!" Hardel spat. He had decided to accompany them for now, to see how Jason fared in real combat. Why Alistair was here to see them off too was beyond his knowledge. He had some reason to speak with them he assumed. Not that it was his business anyway.