Sector Break: Battle of Ratikstead

Hearts and Snow

It's been three days since Civilar's death. The memories are still fresh, and it's evident within the group. Lesnyr has been looking at me since I noticed the creature before us. As far as I can tell, everyone else is acting as they should, aside from Cecilia. The cold has gotten to her. Hypothermia is dangerous to her, which brings us to where we are now—waiting in yet another cave, desperately trying to warm her up before it's too late.

Lesnyr walks away from Cecilia. Her once strong and fierce attitude had crumbled like a house of cards. Rogdas, wouldn't leave Cecilia's side no matter what happened.

"You're doing yourself a favor of not seeing her," Lesnyr says while trying to act tough.

"Why do I feel that none of you are honest with me? A thief being hunted by the most feared assassins in the Archipelago. What did you steal to make Myradyn so damn mad?" I ask sternly.

"We were just at the wrong place when everything went south," Lesnyr answers vaguely.

"I hate people telling me only vague things as if they expect me to put together the pieces. If you can't find it in you to reveal a secret, that's fine. Just tell me so, instead of dangling gold in front of my eyes with no way of reaching it," I hide my face in my knees,
"You don't trust me, right?"

"That's -"Lesnyr tries to say, but it's too late.

I need fresh air. There is too much going on. Am I going to continue with these guys?

"I can see you're enjoying the view," Lesnyr says calmly.

"There's nothing to enjoy. It's just death in all of its many forms. It's just looking at us, grinning," I respond softly.

"You should eat something," Lesnyr says as she offers me some of her last rations.

"Not hungry..." I answer without making any eye contact.

I hear Lesnyr sit down behind me.
"I am sorry to have to be this vague. The burden we bear is not one I'd like to involve you in. And, it pains me that someday we may have no other option," she explains calmly.

"Lesnyr, I don't expect you to trust me. I joined you just for survival and nothing else. But, Civilar's death..." I turn around and let out a deep breath.
"I cannot understand what I think or want anymore."

Lesnyr nods, seemingly understanding my struggling.
"We'll wait for Cecilia to wake up, and then we'll head for the Fog Wall," she quickly says as she gets up.

I can see her hurting with each move. All our muscles are cramped by the lack of food and sleep. The cold, dry air makes it hard to breathe. And the tension that whatever killed Civilar is changing us all.

"I am worried for Cecilia, but we must push forward if she dies," I say calmly.

Suddenly Lesnyr pushes me to the ground with surprising strength. She stabs her dagger into the frozen ground just beside my ear.
"How can you say that?! Would you want someone to think that way if you were the one lying there? Cecilia isn't dead and won't die. Not on my watch," she yells out angrily.

"Hit me if you want, but the truth remains that we are in a place that is going to claim the rest of us if we don't have a plan should the worst-case scenario happen," I respond with frustration in my voice.

"You're unbelievable, Rex. How can you expect people to trust you? You don't even think of a way for us to make it out of here alive," Lesnyr says as she gets up.

"I just don't want to be alone..., again," I respond softly as tears stream down my face, which immediately freezes.

A strange gurgling noise enters my mind.