Mayabelle's brow furrowed in a stubborn line. Now that the group was finally back together, both Idril and Ember were beginning to lose hope, and she was not about to let that happen. She stood in the stooped, damp cavern, putting her hands on her hips. 

"Don't you loose hope on me now, Idril Luthien! You are stronger than any soldier or royal officer I've ever seen, and you are smarter than this! You know very well what's going to happen if you quit now! Ember the same goes for you," she snapped, turning on the stunned faced tiefling. "Your magic has grown red hot since I first met you. You are an indispensable piece of this group and I refuse to see this rain put out your fire so soon! 

"Friendship is stronger than broken bones, brighter than our futures and stickier than bird oil! So buck up and lets crush this giant!"

Idril and Ember leaned back in a startled silence, gazing at the gnome. Her face was deeply cut, her clothes were stained and the lake monster's tentacle marks were still embedded into her flesh. At that moment, the two dark haired friends realized how right Mayabelle was. Ember rose to a still crouched position, and Idril clenched her fists and met Mayabelle's glinting green eyes. 

"Let's crush a giant!"

Once the three friends and the dragon had scooted awkwardly out of the cave, a new determination blazing in their hearts, they started back up the hill. They had determined to find a wide flat spot for Ceaser to pick them up from so they could return to their proper locations with their packs near the apex of the slick slopes. 

Along the way, Mayabelle found a crooked stick that could serve as a fairly sturdy cane for Idril to lean on until they could again don their packs and supply her with the proper medicine. 

They finally discovered the perfect flat spot for Ceaser to take off from. 

"I'll go first," Mayabelle offered as she scrambled clumsily onto Ceaser's back. 

"Hold tight," said Ember, grinning as she lightly slapped the dragon's flank. The shimmering silver dragon launched upwards, causing Mayabelle to grit her teeth against the sudden rush of adrenaline and harsh sock of cold. 

Shortly, she landed on the cliff, sliding off Ceaser and watching him launch back over the edge of the mountain. Thankfully, her pack still rested against the rock. She rummaged around for the proper herbs to fix Idril's ankle. 

Soon, the others were sitting beside her, watching her slowly crumble birch bark into a mixture of pulverized mushroom, goats milk and lavender blossoms. A streak of lightning danced across the sky, touching a scraggly tree far below with its electric fingers and setting it aflame. Mayabelle gulped as she gently massaged the salve into her friend's ankle. 

"And so it begins," Ember breathed.