Prepare for the meeting.

You say your goodbyes to Meti for now. There's still a lot you don't know about her, but she doesn't seem willing to explain anything further. Jinn seems to be mysterious folk, though it does make sense. If they truly do hold many objects of value on their person, you imagine a lot of hunters would want to slay them as walking treasure hoards. Afternoon is starting to turn to evening anyway. You don't want to be late.

The letter said there'd be refreshments. Free food is always appreciated, though you do all stop for a snack just in case. There's a bit more time to pass anyway before sundown (not that you can tell from inside the mountain).

Next you ask around for wyvern rides. A dwarf explains that there's someone that would take you up near the peak for a fee, which isn't surprising. It's not great that you have to spend money just to get to this meeting without a lengthy mountain climb, but there's also a lot you might learn from going as well.

You and the girls meet up with a dwarven man outside in the valley. He has a few trained and restrained wyverns within his ranch built straight into an expansive cavern in the mountainside. While a wyvern isn't as powerful as an actual dragon, he explains that carrying three folk along with him won't be a problem at all. It does cost a chunk of money--about twenty gold--though hopefully your team will have found some quests by the time you get back to Castle Phoenix. You hop on along with your party, and gaze up at the stars appearing in the deep blue sky. The sun is nearly gone completely.

"Has anyone else asked to travel to the peak today?" you ask.

"Nah. I haven't been asked for awhile," he replies. "Something up there you seek?"

"Sort of."

"Adventurers. I get it."

It lifts off. You soon find yourself so distant from the ground that trees are nothing but specks in the distance. The mountain called Areochi really is gigantic. You wonder if it's even larger than Mount Everest, and if it is, you worry about difficulty breathing. As you climb, the air becomes frigid. The mountainside fades to a white blanket of snow and ice.

Even more time passes. It's pitch black when he starts to descend at a plateau not far from the top. You and the others hop off into a foot of snow. Fortunately, your new boots are actually quite soft and warm.

The dwarf waves you off as he pulls on the reins. "Good luck, whatever you're doing! Don't freeze to ****!"

You know, it would have been nice to mention that little fact in the letter. Not everyone has been here before. You wrap your arms around yourself and shiver.