The Enchantments: Book 2 - The Key of Gandar

Chapter 13: Deep Freeze

"According to the information we have been given at this point, the piece of the artifact you will search for will be the most difficult assignment of the lot. You, Tanya, will team up with Charles on this one. Sorry, we couldn't put you anywhere warmer, but I promise you won't have time to worry about the cold. I also have to apologize for sending you to one of the bleakest places in the free world, but in retrospect, it can also be one of the most beautiful places as well. Your contact will be Doctor Lewis Abraham a bush pilot and physician to the Inuit people. Dr. Abraham has spoken with our Dr. Miller and he understands the situation. Please be careful up there, this place can be very dangerous and if something happens to you we won't be able to get to you in time if it does. Watch out for each other... You're all you've got on this one.

Day 31- just beyond the Arctic Circle

The wind whistled wildly over the frozen tundra as barren as any place on earth. Snow flew across the snow-crusted ground and limited vision to no more than a couple of yards in all directions. A faint hum whispered from the south, filling the land with sounds uncommon to the area soon becoming louder with every frigid moment that passed.

As if by the plan, the wind picked up in intensity as the hum slowly became a whine. Plants able to withstand the plummeting temperatures waved dramatically in the cold climate and with the advancing storm to come.

Then with the wind growling, a motorized sled sailed through the air, landing with a thud in the crusted snow. The motor screamed in protest as the sled roared ahead into the billowing snow.

Following only half a minute behind five other snow sleds came to a stop almost to the spot the other had landed. Five figures stepped off each of the machines, walking angrily towards the tracks disappearing in the distance. A large figure covered head to foot in fatigues looked up through heavily tinted goggles, his fur lined hood flapping frantically in the storm.

"How much do they know?" He yelled to a small figure that had come up beside.

"They have knowledge of too much. They were very diligent in their search. We were caught off guard and by the time we knew what they were up to, they were gone." His voice raised above the howling of the wind.

The large man stared long and hard in the direction of the receding sled. As the others waited with baited breath the giant of a man turned to them. "Get them and make sure the information they stole does not get any further!"

Their actions were quick, three of the snow sleds sped off in the direction of the rogue one. As for the other two figures, they stood watching the others as they raced away.

"If they fail, you will be the one I punish. Do I make myself clear Sly?" The giant commanded in a booming voice.

"Yes, master!" Sly responded with terror in his voice. He watched the giant walk over to the snow sled and bring it to life. "I will put a stop to this entire adventure if it's the last thing I do." With that, he proceeded over to his sled, spun it around and shot the machine forward after his master.

Tanya Divide and Charles Ricci pulled up in front of the cabin as the fury of the storm came upon them. They trudged through the snow and pulled the big wooden door open, holding it firm until they were both were safely inside the small log cabin.

Tanya was the first to shed the parka letting her long brown hair fall upon her shoulders. The goggles came next and her green eyes sparkled in the firelight. "Do you think they know where we are?" She asked Charles who was still trying to get his coat off.

Charles pulled back the hood on his parka and unwound the scarf. "You can bet on it, but I think the storm will buy us a little bit of time. We can rest for a time but we need to prepare and get out before morning." He threw his coat on the small chair just inside the kitchen and moved closer to the fire to warm his cold hands and feet.