The feast lasted the rest of the day and well into the night. There was a strong southern wind coming down from the mountains chilling the air. It was midnight when Golden Brick ended his feast. His butler led the group to their rooms in his estate. Turkeylegs carried a sleeping Dusk and Escutcheon on its back, and allowed Atlas to float the two of them into their beds in their shared room.
The group awoke early the next morning and were escorted though the town with cheers and waving hooves from the town ponies. Almost like they were returning war heroes. Both Escutcheon and Dusk were being carried on Turkeylegs' back. The five of them made their way down the street all of them except Red Wine were confused by the crowds sending them off. Red Wine led the way down the streets, lost in thought the crowds being the furthest thing from his mind. As they advanced further and further south the mountains on the horizon got closer and closer, larger and larger. The air also was getting colder and colder as an icy wind rolled down from the mountain.
"I wish that he had actually given us cloths for this cold weather." Dusk rubbed her forehooves together. "We aren't even up the mountain yet and it's freezing." Turkeylegs gave and soft chirp.
"Once we get closer Atlas and I will cast a small ward against the cold that should make things more bearable," Red Wine said from the front of the line looking over his shoulder. "But it'll still feel colder than what your feeling now."
"It's still concerning." Atlas looked up at the mountains. "We shouldn't be this cold yet. There might be a blizzard or a storm on the other side. We might want to go around."
"We don't have time for that we're expected on the border if we're not there, things may start to escalate."
"If there's a storm then they should expect a delay."
"I doubt that. Keep moving." Red continued to go up the mountain. They continued for several hour, until they arrived at the base of the mountain. The temperature dropped like a rock. It was lightly snowing, and there was evidence of a recent rock slide down the side of the mountain toward the mountain pass.
"Maybe it didn't block the pass?" Dusk asked hopefully.
"I hope so." Atlas walked up to Red and the two of them lead the way toward the pass. After a few minutes the two five of them arrived at the pass the narrow part had been blocked by a small mountain of rubble.
"I don't think I could lift all enough for us to get through." Escutcheon looked over the rock pile over four stories high. "How old is this."
"It could have happened as recently as last night. Damn it." Red Wine grit his teeth.
"Then we need a way around." Dusk said. "We have to. Where's the next pass."
"To far away." Red kicked a small rock. "Start heading up the rubble we'll go up the wall and find another way down."
"In this snow that might not be the best idea." Atlas said. "We might be able to bypass this and most of the mountains."
"And how would we do that?"
"There's a small cave that leads to one of the Half Way Inns." Atlas looked around. "We could be there before nightfall tonight if we go there right now."
"And how would you know about this? And why don't I?" Red Wine turned toward the old professor.
"I discovered it on my last expedition out here. As for why you don't know I got side tracked from writing my report." Atlas said calmly. "Your choice." We could spend hours banging our head on this wall trying to navigate up it, and then back down it, and there is no way we can guarantee that it's safe. The cave is close, and should be safe. That or we could risk several metric tons of rocks fall on us."
"Then lead the way." Red motioned. Atlas turned and lead the group out of the pass. The weather started to worsen as they made their way around the base of the mountain. By half an hour pass noon they arrived at a stallion sized hole in the face of the mountain."