Gardan answered, “It’s a bitter night for a cold camp, Your Grace.”
Borric said, “Agreed, but if those sons of hell are nearby, a fire would bring them howling down upon us. Huddle together for warmth, so no one will freeze. Post guards and tell the others to sleep. When dawn breaks, I want to put as much distance between ourselves and them as possible.” Pug felt bodies begin to press around him and didn’t mind the discomfort for the warmth. Soon he drifted off into a fitful doze, starting awake often during the night. Then suddenly it was dawn.
Three more horses died during the night, their frozen bodies lying uncovered in the snow. Pug came to his feet, feeling light-headed and stiff. He shivered uncontrollably as he stamped his feet, trying to stir some life into his chilled, aching body Tomas stirred, then awoke with a start, looking to see what was occurring. He climbed awkwardly to his feet, then joined Pug in stamping feet and swinging arms. “I’ve never been so cold in my life,” he said through chattering teeth.
Pug looked around. They were in a hollow between large outcroppings of granite, still bare and grey in patches, which rose up behind them thirty feet into the air, joining a ridge above. The ground sloped away along the path of their march, and Pug noticed the trees were thinner here. “Come along,” he said to Tomas as he began to scramble up the rocks.
“Damn!” sounded from behind, and Pug and Tomas looked back to see Gardan kneeling over the still form of a guard. The sergeant looked at the Duke and said, “Died in the night, Your Grace.” He shook his head as he added, “He took a wound and never spoke of it.”
Pug counted; besides himself, Tomas, Kulgan, the Duke, and his son, there were now just twelve soldiers. Tomas looked up at Pug, who had climbed ahead, and said, “Where are we going?”
Pug noticed he whispered. He inclined his head upward and said, “To see what’s over there.”
Tomas nodded, and they continued their climb. Stiff fingers protested against the need to grip hard rock, but soon Pug found himself warm again as exertion heated his body. He reached up and gripped the edge of the ridge above. He pulled himself up and over and waited for Tomas.
Tomas came over the ridge, panting for breath, looked past Pug, and said, “Oh, glory!”
Rising up majestically before them were the tall peaks of the Grey Towers. The sun rose behind, casting rose and golden highlights on the north faces of the mountains, while the western faces were still veiled in indigo darkness. The sky was clear, the snowfall over. Everywhere they looked, the scenery was draped in white.
Pug waved toward Gardan. The sergeant walked up to the base of the rocks, climbed a short way, and said, “What is it?” Pug said, “The Grey Towers! No more than five miles away.”
Gardan waved for the boys to return, and they scrambled down, falling the last few feet to land with a thump. With their destination in sight, they felt revived. They came to where Gardan stood in conference with the Duke, Arutha, and Kulgan. Borric spoke softly, his words carrying clearly in the crisp morning air. “Take whatever is left on the dead animals and divide it among the men. Bring the remaining horses, but no one rides. No use covering the animals, for we’ll make broad tracks anyway.”
Gardan saluted and began circulating among the soldiers. They stood about in pairs or singly, eyes watching for signs of possible pursuit.
Borric said to Kulgan, “Have you an idea where the South Pass lies?”
“I will try to use my magic sight, my lord.” Kulgan concentrated, and Pug watched closely, for seeing with the mind’s eye was another of the feats that had eluded him in his studies. It was akin to using the crystal, but less pictorial, more an impression of where something was in relation to the spellcaster. After a few minutes of silence, Kulgan said, “I cannot tell, Sire. If I had been there before, then perhaps, but I get no impression of where the pass may lie.”
Borric nodded. “I wish Longbow were here. He knows the landmarks of the area.” He turned to the east, as if seeing the Grey Towers through the intervening ridge. “One mountain looks much like another to me.”
Arutha said, “Father, to the north?”