Bound By Madness

7. Frozen Ground

I'd had to skirt the mountains for weeks before I'd found a path that wasn't blocked by either snow or guards, barely managing to slip through the pass and hide before a patrol came through behind me. It was only due to Amicus' quick whisper that I'd remained unseen, curled up under a low ledge that was barely big enough to hide me from sight. I likely would have remained there for hours trying to avoid capture if not for Ellery shouting at me to get out before another patrol came along and spotted me, because luck could only get me so far before either someone noticed the disturbed snow I'd left on my way under the ledge... or I froze to death.

Already, I could barely feel my fingers, my thin gloves not enough to ward off the chill. No, I had to move. I had to find someplace safe, someplace I could start a fire and bring life back into my too cold hands before it was too late!

I can't lose my fingers, not with so much I needed to do still! Ellery! Help me!

Memories of men with missing fingers lost to frostbite had me panicking. No, no, no, I needed my fingers! How could I stitch Ellery's caps without my fingers? How could I write without fingers?! No! Please, someone, anyone, I'm not done living yet...

"Over there, a path down the mountain. I can smell smoke, someone has a fire burning and likely food to share if you hurry," Amicus' voice whispered, his breath warm against my cold skin as he gave a gentle push against my lower back.

Stumbling forward, my hands shoved up under my arms, I sobbed in relief. I just had to hurry and everything could be okay still. Picking up speed, I didn't even think of the possibility of guards or bandits being ahead of me. I didn't care, as long as I could warm myself by their fire.

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"A youngster like you should be more careful, miss. Much longer and you woulda been in some real trouble," the hunter's raspy voice barely carried to me over the wind.

The small shelter he'd built to protect against the snowstorm that was even now sweeping through the area was barely big enough for us both, blankets and furs layered over us to keep the chill at bay. I'd been lucky to find him once the snow had grown too thick to properly see anything ahead of me.

It had only been Ellery's laughter and Amicus' gentle pushing that lead me to the man in the end, my Jester cackling madly when I'd tripped on the rope and nearly ended up crushed under a pile of rocks if not for Amicus' quick shove to the side. Sometimes it hurt a bit how much Ellery seemed to enjoy when I got hurt, rubbing my hip where I could already feel the bruise forming where I'd landed hard on the ground while escaping the rockslide. It had made it painful to continue down the trail as it wound and wove between the gaps where the mountain seemed to be reaching fingers of rock and ice upwards as if reaching for the sky.

Looking up across the small fire between us, I frowned at the man for a moment before brightening at the sight of the meaty broth he held out to me. Food, at last! Smiling in thanks, I grabbed the bowl and plucked a piece of meat from the steaming heat of the meal he shared.

"I told you there was food to share," my Assassin whispered into my ear as I nodded agreement.

Food! Oh, I'd been so hungry for far too long. I could barely remember the rabbit I had caught and cooked over a fire the day before I'd slipped through the pass, taking advantage of the distraction a troll had provided. If the troll had just happened to be lured into the area on purpose, well... I was the last person to tell them that. Not that I had a voice to tell them anyhow!

Shoulders shaking with silent laughter at my thoughts, I ignored the strange look I got from the hunter and sipped at the hearty broth within the bowl, barely keeping it from spilling down my chin. Wiping my lips with the back of my hand, I coughed slightly before catching my breath and calming my laughter so as not to end up choking on the meal.

Ellery, will you look at fabric with me when we get to the next town? I would like to get started on a new cap for you. I'm certain this one will make you happy! I'm thinking of using that new stitch I learned!

A few minutes later, the bowl was empty and my eyes growing heavy from the warmth of both furs and a full stomach.

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"Wake up, miss. The storm is done and the sun has risen again. It's time to leave," the raspy voice came as I felt myself be gently shaken awake.

Yawning with a slow stretch, I began crawling out of the pile of warm furs and blankets I'd been under. I couldn't help the shiver as I was reunited with the cold air of the pass. Oh, how I hadn't missed the cold! Why did it have to be so very cold in the mountains? You would think that being closer to the sun, it would be warmer here, but no! It was colder than anywhere I'd been thus far! Why had we all insisted that Skyrim would be a good place to go?

Ellery, remind me what Skyrim has that we had to come here?

"People you hadn't stolen from yet? Ruins to explore? Towns you hadn't seen before? Oh yes, and the possibility of something that will make Amicus finally stop whining about needing to find treasures," Ellery grumbled, giving a small shiver from the edges of my vision.

"Here, miss. This'll keep you warmer than the cloak you have now. Can't have you freezing to death after putting in the effort to keep you alive last night," the man said as he held out a dark brown fur cloak, looking well worn but heavy and warm.

I stood in shock for a moment before gratefully taking the thing from his hands, wrapping it around my shoulders with a smile softer than any I had felt on my lips in years. Not since... No, no, I shouldn't think of that. That life is over, gone and beyond my grasp. Live in the now, look to the future, the things I can reach for and attain. Yes, I had too much to do to think about what is gone.

Amicus, Ellery, it is time to go seek our future. Let us see what this land has to offer us!