WMMAP - [S2] Shelter You

67: Reckoning Awaits

Athanasia and Lucas noticed the crowd as they were getting closer. More and more people were gathering throughout the leafless tree plains and steep snow-covered white mountains.

There they saw Ezekiel speaking to one of the men, who appeared to be the leader. A middle-aged man who was already leaving.

When they reached the other couple's position, Lucas pulled on the rope. In reaction, the dogs slowed their speed and dug their paws into the snow.

Lucas and Athanasia stopped, adjacent to the place next to Ezekiel and Jennette.

The young master turned to Lucas and Athanasia.

"The majority of the lumber has already been delivered," Ezekiel reported before they could ask.

"I thought they needed our help," Athanasia spoke up as she looked at carts with mountains of lumber that were attached to individual bison. For each bison, there was a rider in front, directing the animal and the cart.

"Well, I have told them the same. But it seems they want to treat us as guests," Jennette said.

"Perhaps it was because we started our day... Quite late," Ezekiel spoke quietly as he looked at the high noon obscured by the sea of clouds.

Daylight was still in their favor, but the dropping of the temperature told another story.

"Though we ought to bring some home too. For our cabin. Consider this as a trip to the woods," the young master added.

"So where are we heading?" Jennette asked.

Ezekiel pointed at a mountain. Pine trees stuck out to them the most, and they knew where they were going to get the lumber from.

"Not that far..." Athanasia muttered.

"We shouldn't go somewhere too far, too. Just enough to bring back home for tonight. Let us go."

Ezekiel headed on first. The speed he set was not that fast, more of a horse heeling toward the mountain. It was because he did not want to wander far off as he waited for Jennette to follow behind without needing too much.

"Kiel, wait!" Jennette called out to her fiancé, which made Ezekiel stop.

Ezekiel steadied his horse and looked to his right, where Jennette was.

"Lucas and Athy aren't moving," Jennette said as she turned toward the couple. Ezekiel did the same.

There they saw Athanasia blinking at them and then turned to look at Lucas, who seemed to be lost in thought.

Now that Ezekiel thought about it, Lucas was strangely quiet.

"We should go back and check on them..."

Ezekiel looked at the sky and then responded, "Give them space. Worry not. Perhaps they just need a short break."

"Are you sure we should not turn back? I've never seen him like that. Lucas looks... troubled."

Ezekiel followed Lucas' locked gaze. The black-haired man was staring at a cave next to the mountain. The young master's memory started to replay Felix's words. Slowly, he turned back toward his friends.

Athanasia had already stepped off the sled chair. She rested her palm on top of Lucas' hand, which was gripping the handlebar like a snare.

Lucas wasn't looking at her. His eyes were focused somewhere else. When she followed his gaze, she only saw the other two, Jennette and Ezekiel, staring at them back from afar.

The two gave Athanasia a small nod, telling her that they would wait and offer assistance if needed.

A loud gasp from close by drew Athanasia's attention. The hand that was gripping the handlebar suddenly slipped away from her as if all strength had given out.