"The 'Master of Time' is undoubtedly Istaroth, the 'Measure of Sun and Moon, and the Thousand Winds.' The land pioneered by the Lawrence Clan must be Starsnatch Cliff, where the Temple of the Thousand Winds is located.
"Are you planning to migrate east to join the Lawrence Clan?" Coppelia asked.
Gunnhildr did not speak.
"If you haven't prepared enough food and supplies for the migration, we can help," Coppelia's voice was calm and sincere.
Hearing this, a barely perceptible curve formed on Gunnhildr's lips. "Your help certainly won't come for free." In this harsh land, all aid came with an invisible price tag, something she was long accustomed to.
"Certain factions within Mondstadt are preparing to use force. Sooner or later, they will challenge the rule of the lone king in his high tower. I hope that when they launch their rebellion, you can act as reinforcements and help them from the outside."
"Rebel against the lone king?" Gunnhildr shook her head gently, her gaze sweeping over the surrounding snow-covered land. "We've wanted to do that as well. But if we had the power, why would we need to flee to this bitter, cold land just to struggle for survival?"
"To deal with a god, one must naturally borrow the power of a god."
Gunnhildr's brow furrowed immediately. "Andrius and his wolf pack have been attacking the storm wall for so long, yet they haven't been able to tear open even a single stable rift."
"The storm wall needs to be breached from within. And the key lies with Decarabian himself," Coppelia pointed out.
"The Wolf King would never deign to restrain his power, shrink himself, and then sneak in through the main gate." Gunnhildr found the idea somewhat absurd. "Besides, Decarabian resides at the very top of his tower, protected by fierce gales. He's very difficult to approach."
Coppelia shook her head. "We don't intend to rely solely on the Wolf King's power."
"Then who else can we count on?" Gunnhildr's voice was tinged with irritation. "Are we to expect the people inside the storm wall, who can't even stand up straight in the fierce winds, to suddenly find their courage, charge up the tower, and plunge a sword into Decarabian's chest? That's obviously impossible. I can't think of any other way besides asking another god for help. But... in this land shrouded in snow and wind, which god would answer our prayers?"
Columbina, who had been watching silently, asked, "Isn't there still the 'Master of Time'?"
Gunnhildr looked at Columbina, her expression complex. "The one the Lawrence Clan believes in? As far as we know, although the Lawrence Clan found a relatively stable place to live, it was one they carved out for themselves. And their lives are far from prosperous. I imagine that 'Master of Time' hasn't given them much substantial help."
She paused, a hint of sarcasm in her tone. "Perhaps, just like that lone king, she has never truly answered their prayers. Gods... are probably all like that."
Coppelia changed the subject. "Then what about you? Haven't you tried praying to other beings?"
"Praying?" Gunnhildr's expression turned somewhat indifferent. "Everyone holds a prayer ritual after dinner each day. If you're interested, you can walk around the settlement; the altar is quite conspicuous. You can go ask anyone yourself if they've received anything from their prayers other than psychological comfort."
"You don't seem to know the results of these prayers?"
Gunnhildr turned away, looking at the fishermen and knights who were hauling fresh fish. "I believe that only tangible things like fishing nets, axes, and fur coats can truly help us survive."
Sensing Gunnhildr's apparent aversion to the gods, Coppelia stopped talking. Gunnhildr also fell silent.
A brief silence fell between them, filled only by the whistling wind.
Afterward, they chatted about trivial matters like the terrain and the whereabouts of wild beasts, easing the atmosphere a little.
Before long, the party carrying the fish returned to the relative shelter of the settlement.
Just as they arrived, Parsifal, the knight who had previously guided Coppelia and Columbina, hurried over to greet them with a warm smile, helping to carry the heavy baskets of fish.
Gunnhildr directed everyone to move the fresh fish to the storage area and said to Parsifal, "These fish need to be cleaned as soon as possible, and I have to go help. Parsifal, later you can take these two guests to an empty house so they can rest."
"Of course, leave it to me!" Parsifal agreed cheerfully.
At that moment, a fisherman came over and said enthusiastically to Coppelia and Columbina, "Our two guests, what would you like for dinner? Don't be fooled by it just being fish; our chef's skills are top-notch. He can make ten different dishes from a single fish!"
Coppelia looked at him without saying much, calmly rolling up her sleeves to reveal the articulated joints underneath.
"I am not human. I do not need to eat."
The people nearby who noticed this scene once again showed surprised expressions, and low murmurs rose among them.
Columbina took a step forward and said gently to the somewhat bewildered fisherman, "It's alright, I'll have whatever you normally eat."
"But... that won't do!" The fisherman seemed troubled.
"Let's just do that," Columbina's tone was soft, yet it carried an air of finality.
Coppelia added from the side, "It would be best to prepare a larger portion for her. She consumes a great deal of stamina when using her powers."
The fisherman nodded vigorously. "Understood! We'll make sure the young lady eats her fill!"
Gunnhildr gave Coppelia a deep look but didn't ask any questions. She nodded once more to Parsifal and then hurried away with several fishermen, carrying the day's catch.
Parsifal led Coppelia and Columbina to a vacant house on the edge of the settlement.
The house was small, with a foundation of piled stones and walls and support structures made of roughly processed logs. The roof was covered with thick thatch and waterproofed animal hides, and the gaps were carefully filled with a mixture of straw and ice to keep the cold wind out. The interior was extremely simple, containing only two crude beds covered with straw, a wooden table, and a few tree stumps for stools.
"The conditions are basic, please make do for now," Parsifal said, a little embarrassed.
"It's more than enough. Thank you, Parsifal," Coppelia said after looking around. "I'd like to walk around the settlement some more to get familiar with the place. Columbina, you just used a lot of energy. You should rest here until dinner is ready."
Columbina, however, shook her head and said softly, "I'll go with you. I want to get a good look at this place."
"Alright, but don't push yourself if you run out of energy," Coppelia did not object. She then looked at Parsifal. "Then we'll trouble you to lead the way, Parsifal."
"It would be my honor!" Parsifal readily agreed.
And so, the three of them walked out into the streets of the settlement again—though 'streets' was a generous term for the snowy paths trodden out between the tents and wooden houses.
___
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