CHAPTER 49: INTO THE COLD
We headedout onto the path. The sky was overcast, and it was threatening to rain, though it felt cold enough for snow. At least in our new gear we were protected against the cold. And the new blankets we had bought were good for temperatures into the low thirties.
“How long do you think it will be before we hit the snow line?” I asked. Up ahead, we could see the massive crags covered with snow, but I wasn’t sure how far away they were. The path out of Tyrnis was on a slight incline, and I realized we were headed directly into the mountains from here. To either side, the forest stretched, massive pine trees that towered over the surrounding landscape. Their dark shadows cast across the open road, reminding us that only a few feet away, anyone or anything could be hidden.
“I’d say a couple of days hiking,” Ray said. “I bought a new map while we were in the village—it’s a more in-depth view of the passes and mountain trails. It looks like we have at least one hundred miles of traversing to do before we reach the first glimpses of the Summer Kingdom. And given the terrain, that’s going to take us at least two weeks…and that’s with good weather. This is the narrowest part of the mountain range, bythe way. Just in case you are thinking of trying for an alternate route.”
“Yes, but if the alternate route is easier, we might find days cut off of our travel,” Reggie said.
“The more time we spend in the mountains, the deadlier our journey will be.” Brynn shook her head. “I vote for sticking to the plan. If I remember my lore, these mountains are deadly. Beautiful, yes, but filled with so many dangers.”
“They are,” Thornhold said. “I vote to keep to the plan as well.”
Reggie glanced at me. “What do you think? Don’t we want to go the route that will get us through with the least danger?”
“Just because a route is easier for the trek doesn’t mean it’s easier with regard to the enemies we’ll find, or other hidden dangers.” While the idea was appealing, it sat uneasily in my stomach. “I think we need to stick to the plan,” I said. “We can always change plans on the route.”
“Actually, we can’t,” Reggie said. “Once we head into the mountains, there are few methods of changing directions, unless we return here and start out again. The passes don’t cross paths in the heights of the peaks.”
“Then we’re stuck with whatever we choose—we can’t change our minds, and we don’t dare return here because…well…we don’t want to meet Zaran.” I shrugged. “I’ll go with the majority, but we need to pick one direction and commit to it.”
“I vote for the easier but longer path,” Reggie said.
As we stood there arguing, another party passed by. There were two dwarves, three people who looked human, and an elf.
“Excuse me,” I said, hailing them.
The lead dwarf of the other party stared at me for a moment, then they stopped. “What do you need?” the frontman asked. He was a little taller than Thornhold, but looked a lot like him and was carrying an axe as big as a greatsword.
“We were wondering if you have any opinions about the safest way over the mountains?” I said. “We’re having a disagreement about which pass to take.”
“Ah, yes. Have any of you ever been through the mountains?” he asked.
I shook my head. “No, this is our first time here.”
“How quickly do you need to cross them?” was his next question.
“As soon as possible,” I said.
“Then go through this pass. The others may be easier to cross, but they are days out of your way. Make sure you’re prepared, though. There are dangers aplenty in the mountains, and they aren’t all from monsters. For example, do you have a folding shovel? You’ll need it at some point, I guarantee.” The dwarf glanced over at Thornhold. “You…you should make certain your party has everything it could need.”
Thornhold blushed, but said, “Yes, we have a folding shovel.”
That had been one of the first things the shopkeeper had suggested when we asked for supplies to survive a trip into the mountains.
The dwarf nodded, then motioned to his party.
“Come along, men. We have a long way to go,” he said. “Good journeys to you and yours,” he added, glancing our way. And they headed on toward the mountains.
“Do you think we should have asked to go together?” I asked. “It might be safer with more companions.”
“I don’t think so,” Ray said. “I doubt if we’re as up for the trip as they are, and we don’t want to irritate them. Let’s give them a half-hour head start and then head out. If we run into each other again, then fine—not us trying to tag along with them. Meanwhile, I hear a stream. We can top off our water bottles.”
I frowned. “I hate wasting time, but I suppose half an hour won’t hurt. It’s barely ten and we’ll be stopping before dark.The last thing we want is to be caught without a camp in the darkness. And darkness comes early in the mountains.”
“I think there are still some bilfa berries on some of the bushes,” Reggie said. “They provide an excellent source of stamina. We can look for those while we wait.”
So we headed into the forest to find the stream and to look for berries.
