The challengers quickly began their climb to the top, picking their ropes along the way. The passages were steep and treacherous, but all of the parties were almost silent, so afraid of potential avalanches that they refused to say a word to each other! Without any good communication, many ropes were tangled and split, causing some of the competitors to abandon their climbs.
The first out was poor TGK. After an early avalanche--thankfully the only one of the trek--tore the first rope out of his fingers, he was never quite able to catch up to the others. Luis and Cecil were the next to fall; both kept reaching for the same ropes and, as a result, they happened to slip at the exact same time and tumbled back down the slope. Mathas was able to keep up rather well despite an early slump, but he was not quite fast enough to beat Altaver to the top.
With the final longest rope in her grasp, all to herself, Altaver made the final dash to the top of the peak all by herself, claiming the win and the reward.
Once they all met back up the ground, Queen Athena invited the challengers to join her in her pavillion, offering them hot teas and cocoa and warm, savory pies to help them recover from the strain of the climb. The challenge itself was not spoken of, but the challengers couldn't help but occasionally glance at TGK, knowing he was the loser, especially Altaver who hoped to reap the reward of his scrolls.
However, when the time finally came to pay up, TGK's pockets were empty. "I'm sorry, your grace." The young feline Sorcerer hung his head in apology. "I used up the last of my scrolls during the last long challenge. I'm afraid I have nothing left to pay my debt for this loss... unless you'd accept a pretty ice spell as payment, Altaver?"
The Queen shook her head sadly. "Unfortunately, the rules are clear, and if you have no scrolls to pay to the winner, your position is forfeit. After we return to the castle, you will have to leave the challenge."
"But wait," Altaver butted in,"if he doesn't have any scrolls to pay... then what do I win?"
Athena laughed. "I guess I hadn't thought about that. It looks as if your prize for winning this challenge is not much at all. Unless, of course, you'd like to take TGK up on his offer of an ice spell."
"Oh gods," Altaver groaned with a shiver, "no thank you. I think I've had enough ice and snow to last a lifetime."