The Fox, Red

048 - The Test on the Mountain IV

If only green trees meant that we were close. But we still have a long way to cover. I can feel it. Even as we sit by an open fire for the night, for the first time not in snow, I can't relax as I want to. We still have to worry about the night. Snow gave us an easy way to make a shelter that kept us somewhat covered from the outside. Without it, we are exposed to everything. I could dig up a foxhole (no pun intended) to sleep in but the same problem occurs.

Exposure to the elements.

And the bugs...

Fur only gets you so far. Insects are built to get to the undercoat to feast on the skin or draw blood. Eventually, sleep takes hold of me as the night comes. The bugs taper off enough that I can finally relax. But that morning light comes too soon.

The goal for today is to reach another high point to get a better view of the surroundings. We've been traveling blind for too long and I need to find a direct route to somewhere that is not lost in the wilderness. A town, a road, I'll take a truck stop at this point. But we need something to get us in the right direction.

Madam Odette seems to be sleeping peacefully for being out of what seems to be her element. As I stand her eyes open to look at me. "Good morning, Red. Did you get enough rest?"

"It was rough, but I'm ready for the day."

I get a nod in return. She seems rather lost in thought. She's been rather spacey for most of this trip since we landed. Is it a ploy to try and get me to take more control of the situation? A play from her to be the helplessly lost individual in the mountains? She can try to play it up all she wants. We are lost at the moment.

As she stands she gives me the sign that she's ready to get moving. With a deep breath I steady myself for the trek we'll have to make. From the valley we are in I will have to climb yet another mountain. I can spot that there is a small ridge that juts out that should give me a good sight line to everything on the other side without having to go all the way to the summit. Everything starts with one step...

The ground is still cold beneath our paws. I can feel the morning dew begin to soak through everything. It's not uncomfortable yet but it's getting there. Some spots that were shielded by the trees give me a place where I can shake some of it off but within a few more steps it's right back where it was.

As the sun continues to rise, and we continue up the side of this mountain, everything begins to start drying out. Conditions continue to get better and by midday, we are at the jutting rock I spotted before. I can take a seat under some shade for a quick spell to rest. Madam Odette joins me a short distance away.

Time to shine! I thought that this spell was simple when I first made it but now it's going to show how useful it can be. I put my claws into rings and focus on them. As I begin to feel the glass begin to form I stop myself. I'm pulling and refining from myself instead of from around me. Do I have the materials around me?

"Red, are you ok?" I hear that soft voice pipe up in concern. "I am, Madam Odette. I am thinking of how to tackle this." I can ask her for help if needed but I want to see what I can do on my own at this moment. I take a seat and look at everything around me.

The snow-capped mountains still shine in the sunlight like a beacon. The sides are scattered with patches of snow with evergreen poking out scattering the mountains with green. A few birds take flight crossing the valley we came from heading towards something unknown to me. When I sit back and observe my surroundings I'm able to let my mind relax. I can start to see what I can use and before I know it, I might have an idea of what I can use.

I won't be able to get everything I need but I can use what I have to be more effective. I take a deep breath feeling the crisp air around me. I exhale the warm breath from within.