One set of Footprints

[Ice]

Ice gazed intently at her as she pondered battle strategies. He couldn't have possibly asked for this meeting to have gone any better. Ice didn't know whether it was the fact that he got on well with the Empress, whether he had used tactful words or both. He resolved not to worry about it.

"No one is as gifted within this forest as your warriors." Ice said. "As no one is as gifted as mine within the Mountains of Frost of the Blizzard Plains. On our own land there would be no hope for any huge army besides our own." Ice's voice was going slightly faster. "It wouldn't matter where they marched here. It's our ground and they do not - cannot - understand it."

[Cailen]

Cailen smiled at his thoughts. "You're right, they can try all they want, but they would not last more than a week, and no more than a day if we were trying to get rid of them." She paused a minute, and looked around her at the snow. It was hard to learn how to live with the snow, but it could be a powerful ally once mastered.

"Do you think it is best to let them come to us?" She asked Ice.

OOC: Argg! Bad post, sorry...

[Ice]

"I believe that that would be the best thing to do." Ice said thoughtfully, scratching his chin.

The moment the enemies stepped onto Svëna they would be out of their own territories. Pirates would never last long, Southerners less. Perhaps the Navy would last the longest, but Ice was not so worried about the Navy. They seemed far more distracted with pirates than the far northern lands. As far as Ice cared, the Navy could take on the Pirates and Southerners while Svëna lived in Splendid Isolation until war wandered north.

"Without something that draws us south, we need to fight on our own soil."

[Cailen]

Cailen nodded. "I believe you are right. My warriors will be ready to stand by your side when Svena is attacked, and we will drive the invaders out." A satisfied smile played at the corners of her mouth. Those who entered the forest without the White Wings consent would not last a day, and now that seemed to be extended all the way across Svena. Together, the Ice Warriors and Fallen Angels would be a formibable opponent.

[Ice]

Ice smiled and for the first time looked at Cailen in a different way. Was it respect? Ice didn't respect all that many people, but if there was someone worthy of his respect it was Cailen. That and Khalora, King of the Southerners, an opponent worth respecting, but an opponent better buried below the ground none the less.

"I couldn't have asked for a better meeting." Ice said, at a complete lack of anything more to do. Hastily, he added, "is there anymore matters of sudden importance."

[Cailen]

Cailen shrugged slightly. "I think we have covered pretty much everything. I think we should quit this meeting before the snow really starts to fall." She looked up, and sure enough, the snow was falling much harder, and the flakes were getting bigger. "Besides, if there is anything more to be discussed, we know were to find each other." Ice was looking content with the way the mwwting went, and despite the heat in which it started, Cailen was satisfied as well. The Angels did not usually have contact with others, but now her memory was jogged as to why the White Wings and Ice Warriors had alliances. She really could admire Ice, and they both had an undying love for their land. The two powerful ice forsesunited; woe to anyone who dared attack them now.

[Ice]

Ice bowed quite low and Samara also lowered her head, though it could hardly be called a full bow. Ice couldn't remember her ever giving a full bow. You take what you can get. Ice though, amused by it.

Somehow Ice felt better here than he did in his court, surronded by Counsellors that wished nothing better than to have him off the throne and have his dead father back.

Nevertheless, his realm needed him, and Ice needed to rule it.

So Ice turned around and began walking out of the forest, his mind already back into its normal mode of sifting through the requirements of his realm and the war of Lilan.