Off To The Ice Palace.

When they reached Ktara's place she was already dressed in her new battle ready gear. I knew you would be coming with all this weird weather happening and I have been dying to put on this new gear Alieta sent over to me, said Ktara. What do you think? Much better, said Alexa. Now you look like a warrior! Now they headed towards Oaklyln's and Taiyo's place to get them. When there they were also ready just wearing coats but were ready to set off to the palace with them. Now we just need to get Titus and we are all set, said Alexa. Well Paisley too, said Oaklyn. Really, she wants to join the team too? asked Alexa. Oh ya, you should see the moves she can do in battle and is getting pretty good with a sword too, said Taiyo. Wait until you see the outfit she had made for her at the palace. Really, she has battle gear too? asked Ktara. Yep, she looks like a beautiful warrior princess, said Oaklyn. That is is not all looks and is smart as a whip also. Okay so we will be a team of eight now, said Alexa. Lets go get them. When they got to Titus's place the two of them were in the front yard dressed and ready to go but practice fighting together. Hi Titus and Paisley, we are all needed at the palace, said Alexa. We kinda figured that was going to happen said Titus. So Paisley, are you sure you want to join the team? asked Alexa. That is one very hot outfit you have on. Well I designed it myself for the seamstresses at the palace to make for me, said Paisley but where ever Titus goes I go! Okay but things do get very dangerous on our missions, said Alexa. Titus smiled, Paisley's hands and feet are like lethal weapons, watch this. Titus grabbed an apple and tossed it into the air then Paisley jumped up and did a roundhouse smashing the apple into pieces with her boot. Wow! Okay that girl has talent, said Tempressa. Yep I agree, said Ktara. Pretty dangerous and I mean that literally. Okay then welcome to the team, said Alexa. Get your horse and lets go Titus. I have my own horse now, said Paisley, Titus bought me one. Yep got to take care of my girl, said Titus with a smile.

About half way to the palace they saw the two trolls were standing in the open shivering. Then the male troll asked if this was your doing Ice Queen. No, said Tempressa but we are going to see who is responsible. Alexa told them to go home and keep the fire going to stay warm. The two of them disappeared into the woods. They soon arrived at the palace were they were greeted by elves and took their horses to the stalls to stay warm. The elf messenger was then taken to the fireplace to warm up. Inside Alieta greeted them but looked sad and worried. Alexa never saw her look that way before and new that something was very wrong. We are in great need of your team's help, said Alieta. Mother Nature appeared to me and said a wicked warlock had stolen the weather orb that she uses to help her control the weather all over the world. She did not know how he did it because her home was invisible and the orb is protected by an energy shield that only she could turn off. The warlock must have strong powers to be able to break through that energy shield. Why do you think he is doing this, asked Alexa. I am unsure but evil is evil, said Alieta. Man he must be bored or something, said Ktara. Alieta got six elves to size them up and then took off up the stairs. Seeing that this warlock has strong powers you are going to need shields to protect you from his power streams, said Alieta. She sent two elves to the armory then Alieta got some elves to prepare a small lunch for them. Alieta turned to Oaklyn and congratulated her on being pregnant. So are you up to the quest? asked Alieta. Oh ya, I am not even two months along and a centaur takes seven months to give birth, said Oaklyn. You can barely see I am pregnant unlike humans and elves. That is good then, said Alieta. Just be careful.

Just then the two elves returned with the shields and placed them on the table. Awe good, said Alieta, you made excellent choices. Now these eight shields will protect you from anything that is sent at you. They will even protect you from a lightning bolt which is the strongest energy charge known mankind. Leave the shields here and I will have the elves clean and polish them seeing they have not been used in a long time. Go upstairs with this elf to the wardrobe room and pick out a jacket to wear, you are all going to need one especially you Paisley. I see you have joined the team. Oh ya, that girl has skills, said Alexa. They went upstairs and picked out a coat but Alexa was having a hard time finding one small enough for her to wear. Here put this one on, said the elf. Looks way too big for me, said Alexa. Trust me, just put it on, said the elf. Alexa put the coat on and did it up then suddenly it shrunk and fit her perfect. Alexa looked up and said, more magic right? The elf just smiled. They went back downstairs back to Alieta in the dining room where the shields were all cleaned up and ready for them. Now do you have any questions? Not really, just one thing, how do we find Mother Nature, asked Alexa. I told her to go to Tempressa's Ice Palace that is not far from where Mother Nature's place is, said Alieta. She is kinda secretive to where she lives and keeps it hidden from sight. Tempressa will lead you all there. Now it is time for you all to go because it is a long ride to that palace in the north and I am told the snow is getting deeper. With that they all left the palace and the elves had wraps on the horses to help keep them warmer. They all got on their horses and took off following Tempressa to the Ice Palace as fast as the could in the snow that was getting deeper every minute. It started to get slow going as the snow got deeper and deeper and Alexa thought this was going to take forever to get there at this rate. They all looked up and saw two flying objects coming towards them and as they got closer she could see they were green dragons. They all raised their shields except for Tempressa. Don't worry, they are Mother Natures pets, said Tempressa. The two dragons just swooped past them then turned and passed them again. They saw the dragons blowing out large busts of fire at the ground, melting the snow fast to the bare ground. Now this is going to make the trip a lot faster so let's put it in high gear and we should reach the palace by the middle of the night, said Alexa. Just keep back from the dragon breath as much as possible as not to get burnt. The two dragons kept melting the snow in front of the team and after a few more hours it was almost midnight.

Tempressa told them all to stop. Why are we stopping here asked Alexa, I see nothing. Tempressa just smiled and got off her horse and told them to watch. She raised her arms high in the air then yelled out something in an elven language, then the palace started to appear. She then walked up to the palace then spoke again in an elven language then waved her hands in front of her. The two large doors appeared and opened by themseves. Okay, follow me, said Tempressa. The others were in awe and did not know Tempressa was that powerful. That is some powerful magic you have there, said Alexa. No, not my magic, said Tempressa. That is the magic of the palace. When I found this abandon palace, I got Mother Nature to help me figure out what the words said on the wall. It was just in simple elf language. So what did all those words mean? asked Ktara. Just "Palace Appear and Doors Open", said Tempressa. They all followed Tempressa into the palace. So where is Mother Nature asked Alexa. Without answering Tempressa just called out for Mother Nature and she appeared in front of her. Tempressa then turned to Alexa and said, "Here she is". The two of them hugged then Mother Nature turned to the team and welcomed them.

I know all your names but you must be wondering what my name is. Well it is Mother Nature of course, said Alexa. Well yes that is who I am but not my real name but Mother Nature will do and sounds more official, said Mother Nature. Mother Nature then told them the story of how the evil warlock entered her domain some how he tried to kill her but she just kept disappearing. He just gave up and some how opened the orb room door then again was able to turn off the energy field surrounding the orb. I screamed, "What are you doing?" but he just wrapped the orb in a towel then ran out past me and out of my place. I followed him from above, out of sight to see where he was taking the orb. He entered a cabin just east of here where two of my friends live. I hope he did not kill them because they were very nice people. Mother Nature started to cry in front of them and her ice tears hit the ground. She cries ice tears like you Tempressa, said Alexa. Cheer up Mother Nature, we will get it back for you. Yes I was hoping you would say that, said Mother Nature. I know nothing will go wrong with my little sister Tempressa helping you. "Sister!" exclaimed Alexa. You never told us you were Mother Nature's sister. Well you never asked and I figured you wouldn't believe me anyways, said Tempressa. So I hope my two dragon friends did not scare you too much but they are like pets to me and follow my orders to a tee, said Mother Nature. Just at first but they were a great help clearing the way for us, said Alexa.So where is the cabin he went to? Well it is not far from here, just one hour due east, said Mother Nature. His name ia Malak. The name means dark lord master that suits him perfectly. Now it will not be hard to find because I will send one of my pets to melt the snow for you seeing he has enough dragon breath left to get you there. I sent the female dragon back to her cave to recharge for your trip back to Alieta, seeing that females have less fire than males. You will have to travel in single file though and stay back from the flame as to not get burnt. Okay, no problem, said Alexa and don't worry, we will get the orb back for you. So what does it do anyways? well mostly it helps me control the weather all over the world but it also allows me to watch what is happening on the planet surface. It also indicates to me when something bad is happening like tornados and huricanes. It also lets me keep track of my little sister when she is out with you all. I have watched some of your adventures but I especially like the one when your team took down all those body guards and especially how great Alexa was with that sword of her's. Yes she is pretty fast with the sword, said Diego. Yes and I have seen some of your adventures too but no time for that now. My pet Garth is outside waiting for you and he will tell you how to line up. Alexa's eyes opened wide. You mean he talks? asked Alexa. Yes, of couarse, who would want a dragon that can't talk, said Mother Nature. Alexa just shrugged her shoulders and said, I guess so. The team headed outside but not before Mother Nature whispered in Tempressa's ear, "Your friends have many tallents and I am cetain that they will do great plus they are kinda funny too. Humor is good for the soul". They all got outside and met Garth that told them how to line up. The leader first, that will be you Alexa then biggest to smallest. Alexa was amazed at how soft and gentle his voice sounded, she was expecting something much coarser. He told them all to stand back and he took flight then turned and started to create the path to the cabin for then again. They all mounted their horses and started on they're way to the cabin.