AT THE MERCY OF THAT ANIMAL!

"Be careful."

A gust of cold wind was bone-freezing even though the Sun was somewhere in the sky above.

"My shoes are slipping." 

Gerald was walking ahead of Theodora, guiding the way. He turned and stretched his hand for her to take. He had a long stick in his other hand to help him walk through the snow.

After a few minutes, they stopped for a short break. Theodora's throat was dry, yet she didn't feel like drinking water in that ice-covered place.

Her breaths came heavy and long. 

"Air here is thinner as compared to Warthford island." Gerald felt a need of providing that short explanation as he felt a bit guilty looking at Theodora.

Her pointed nose had turned red, along with her ears and her cheeks. Though she wore his jacket, it was not enough to protect her from the freezing cold.

Her teeth chattered as she blew air on her pale hands that began to turn stiff.