Welcome to Gaia! ::

It's another week packed with thrilling discoveries, science fans: at their very best, Evolving Items give us stirring glimpses into fantastical worlds. We're definitely getting one this week from Hoarfrost Pass, our newest REI. I can't wait to see what wonders it'll lay before our inquisitive eyes this week:

This week, in the twin tales of Hoarfrost Pass: the warriors travel further into the wasteland, hunting for signs of the stolen girl. Each man keeps a vigilant eye on the other, watching for threats or openings. Since they study little else but their companion, they inevitably notice small details.

Cicero observes the way Stieg finds fish under the ice, the practical way he carves animals and cures hide, how he tracks signs across the ice and snow. He realizes the Northman is not barbaric, merely better adapted to the land than to polite society. Cicero begins to wonder how this stranger would react to his homeland in the south, the great empire with its grand stone temples and shining gold sculptures, the likes of which have never been seen by northern men.

Stieg, determined to betray his companion, begins to spy on Cicero during his training exercises. He is again impressed by his controlled technique, noticing his scarless body (compared to his own, scarred a dozen times) and recalling the ease of his defeat. He's suddenly no longer ashamed to have been beaten by this warrior, who has obviously seen battle yet never taken a wound.

On the twelfth night into their journey, Stieg realizes somewhat uneasily that he doesn't want to kill the Centurion. Meanwhile, Cicero imagines showing Stieg his faraway city, all the while knowing the Northman could never set foot there, where he would be viewed by those less observant as a barbarian, lower than a dog, and executed...

I can't wait to see where this rugged tale of brawny, masculine companionship takes us next! For a firsthand view, you can pick one up today in the Cash Shop. That's all for this week, friends; remember to stop by our weekly poll to let us know which items you like best. Till next time!