Tonight we sit in the cave of a basilisk. I am watching Siax and Falcon lavish attention on a very young one that had been left in the cave, having gained its trust and toothy affection. Odd as it is, seeing either of them here this evening feels closer to fantasy considering the day we have had.
The weather has been getting progressively worse where even I feel the cold. Fires will not start, even magical ones are not sustained more than a quick flash, as if it is being actively suppressed. Using the weather amulet has been difficult too today, a constant struggle to maintain the spell that only the relentless positivity and trust that Idris offered kept my mind and willpower focused enough to maintain the spell.
Even so, things have gone more poorly the further we have gone. Siax struggled profoundly today in a way that I had not expected. When all of us survived an avalanche, later he fell and none of us could catch him on time. Zenari changed into a giant eagle, and I went with her back down the mountain in search. He fell so far, I doubted we would find him alive. But alive he was, although unconscious in a cave with Falcon nearby watching over him. Somehow Falcon had survived the dragon, minus his arm, although the cold had been getting to him. With Zenari's help we all got back to the others, alive but worse for wear.
The weather, though, is worse than I thought. It howls outside, and I worry about the severity of it. I had thought the amulet would offer a greater measure of safety, but there is little to be had.
There is meant to be a keep up there, that the dragon has taken over. I am feeling less confident as to our likely success with each hour that passes. I do not think we are prepared enough, but I do not know what else we could have done. The thought of meeting with failure so close to my goal on these peaks is distressing. I have been entrusted with this task, and allies to help with it. I do not want to fail the Three, nor the dead who will suffer for that failure.