Hike!

After the days had passed and Ki was dressed in a winter set of clothing that was a mix of white and powder blue.

She had bound her chest with a bandage so that she appeared less feminine and wore thick and warm clothing that hid her figure and as she lifted the hood on her winter coat most of her head and face was shielded from being seen and protected from the cold gusts of wind.

The clothing she wore consisted of a parka, pants and mittens made from caribou or sealskin worn in two layers, and up to four layers of footwear.[1]

Each garment was tailored by the Bombyx families workers and fit Ki's body well after some adjustments were made after her body had undergone a sudden growth during her bone metamorphosis.

Meanwhile another person appeared behind Ki which was Lumi who was also dressed the same but hers were all white.

Following behind was Rayleigh who looked a little conflicted as she wore her icy blue set of winter clothes. "It's been so many years now and soon we will be back passing through the ruins of where we have been living in the past. I do not know how to feel about this."

Lumi nodded as she had vague memories of the icy caverns and snowy plains and mountains of the north.

Although she rarely got the chance to go outside the sect she could still see many things from afar so she had some memories of the north and most of all she mostly recalled her memories of her previous sect.

Many years ago she was a puppet like existence without any will of her own but she still knew from others that she carries very pure northern blood which is shown by her icy blue eyes and her silver white which had been left long but braided.

She may not be able to remember her past before the sect or her parents but perhaps that was a good thing for her because now that the sect was gone and people were looking for her within the central lands it was best that she remain free from blood ties as she would just end up dragging them into her business and getting them hurt.

Even if she faced her family one day she would still not feel anything because of her inability to feel or express emotions.

That did not mean that she did not miss the northern lands, in fact that place was the first thing she come to know of as a home after she lost everything that made her herself when she had her memories erased.

Ki looked at the two of them and sighed. "It's good that you all are eager to see your previous home but remember that this journey is not just for sightseeing. We may face dangers out there but also we have a task to complete."

Ki watched at a distance as several boxes and bags were placed on sleds that were nearby the gates and then the huskies, malamutes and crossbreeds were brought out.

Assembling a dog sled team involves picking lead dogs, point dogs, swing dogs, and wheel dogs.

The lead dog is crucial, so person riding the sled has to take particular care of these dogs.

Another important detail is to have powerful wheel dogs to pull the sled out from the snow.

Point dogs are located behind the leader dogs, swing dogs between the point and wheel dogs, and team dogs are all other dogs in between the wheel and swing dogs and are selected for their endurance, strength, and speed as part of the team.

As Nova was one of the smarter and most familiar with Ki, she took the role as a lead dog on Ki's sled while other dogs were arranged to take up various roles within the teams for Lumi and Rayleigh's sleds.

Ki had experience with sledding in her previous life so she was familiar with it but during her free time she did not forget to teach others who she wished to take on her travels through the northern lands.

After bonding with Nova and the other dogs she quickly became familiar with her skills that she had not put to use in a long time.

Before she knew it she had gained back her skills and bonded with her sled dogs while working on their teamwork.

As the lead dog Nova had the closest bond with Ki as she was taught to hunt, track and follow various commands but also their teamwork was further improved as they trained with the other dogs to form a dog sled team.

Within the north most people use various means to transport their goods through the snowy or icy terrain and one of the ways was by sled or sleighs pulled by either reindeer, dogs or other tamed animals that can handle the cold and have high endurance.

If they have enough resources they are able to have one within their family or village between many people but certain richer people have one or more sleigh or carriage that has been modified for the northern lands.

Ki chose to travel by sleds pulled by dogs because it was the more low-key option and the chances of her being a target for looting would be smaller since most of the things she had brought with her were carefully boxed up or within a bag so did not reveal what was inside.

Ki, Lumi and Rayleigh watched as the dogs were fitted with their harnesses and were all ready to go then they pulled up their hoods and stepped on their own sleds.

As the gates were open and nobody was in the way Ki held onto the sled and shouted. "Hike!" [2]

[1] Inuit style of clothing

[2] • Hike!: Get moving. To start a team or increase speed of a moving team.  

* Gee!: Turn to the right.

* Haw!: Turn to the left.

* Easy!: Slow down.

* Straight Ahead!: move forward, for instance at an intersection of trails.

* Whoa!: Stop.

* On By!: Pass another team or other distraction.

* Line Out! Command to the Lead Dog to tighten the Gangline and pull the team out straight from the sled. Used while stopped to avoid tangles.