Unmotivated Deity

The group did as Jien instructed, quickly retrieving cloaks made of varying water-resistant leathers. Though they still did not know each other the best the environment here, while not at the level of being deadly yet, did not give them much leeway. They quickly huddled close, laying the cloaks in multiple layers over each other to conserve their body heat. They circulated mana at a more intense rate for a few short minutes before stopping all together to both conserve what they had and build back up more passively.

The next hour couldn't be said to be comfortable for them. Despite huddling to keep warm the children still often found themselves shivering due to the damp, cool environment around them. They were unable to really rest, other than from a physical perspective, their minds always busy thinking over next steps and trying to come up with plans. Their eyes were always peeled, looking over each others shoulders to determine if something was coming out of the fog to attack them.

The adults seemed to be at ease during the break, their stances loose. If not for the fact that their hands were always on their weapons, and they were silent one would think that they were having a casual break. That being said, their physical appearance was not indicative of the truth. They were more on guard than the children, their eyes peeled for even the slightest movement, their ears listening to the deafening silence around them, straining to hear even the slightest sound. The children may only be beginning to learn how to survive in a place like this but each of the mentors were well trained and effective in their approach.

Soon the hourglass that Jien had placed ran out and as the last grains of sand fell Jien motioned for the others to get ready to move. The mentors like a well-oiled machine moved to get the horses ready to move while the children began to circulate mana throughout their bodies once more. They stood, their stiffened muscles aching and stretched, making sure to wrap their cloaks tightly around their shoulders to better contain their body heat. Though they had stayed relatively warm the cold, damp atmosphere of the forest was not kind, their bodies protesting to the sudden movement after having settled for such a length.

None of them complained though, all having had more than a little physical training. They quickly stretched to loosen up while continuing to keep a wary eye on the silent fog around them. Though they did not know where they were within the forest, or even what their surroundings looked like other than shadows and white they focused their minds.

The previously decided formation was reformed and Lesley once again chose a direction to walk and began his trek away from the larger group. As the rope connecting him to Olivia grew taught they once again started to march.

The best-case scenario would be finding a source of fresh water. If they could do so Jien felt that they would have a great start. That being said fresh water was not an absolute necessity because of the ever-present fog. If they found a shelter but no water source, they could use spells to distill the fog itself into water, though doing so would burn a fair amount of energy for little return in his mind. A lake, river or stream would be a decent start because not only would it provide water it would also attract wildlife allowing for an easier hunt for food.

Though Jien felt that shelter was the lowest of the three necessities due to their ability to build one, shelter was what they found first. They had wandered for what seemed like hours to them, the fog and consistent amount of light disorienting them to the passage of time. However, after the long passage of time there was a change, a firm tug on the rope, followed by a long pause and two short tugs. This was yet another signal Jien had thought of while they were resting.

The signal was simply to indicate something that Lesley thought may satisfy the need of shelter or water. It could be used for either, since Jien had wanted to keep things as simple as he could while initially scouting. When Olivia felt the tug on her waist where the rope was tied, she felt an excitement bubble up knowing that they had possibly found at least one thing they needed. She quickly used a few hand signals that the other children were able to see only due to their close proximity.

They all wanted to cheer, but knowing the danger of this place they kept the excitement to themselves and moved forward along the rope to where Lesley was waiting. The adults followed closely behind to ensure that they would not be separated. A few short minutes later they were able to see the outline of Lesley in the fog and behind him was a large dark mound-like structure that towered three times larger than the estimated height of towering bear of a man, Johnathan.

The fog did well to hide the truth of the structure, leaving only a towering and vast shadow in the fog, surrounded by what appeared to be a small opening in the trees. Only when they approached close enough to Lesley did they actually see the true form of the structure. A vast hill of stone rose above them, a natural edifice of dark, wet, grey stone towering above their heads. Within this miniature mountain of rock was a rough but broad opening leading into its depths, the size of which Johnathan would barely be able to fit but of which Jien and the other children could easily move through.