15. 3 Inches

When I say I see something I missed before I don't mean I literally see something. It's more like I can feel what connects everything together. It's like the bond I feel with the Lower Winter Sprites, but much more complex and strong. At this point in time I'm in something like a trance. 

I will the Lower Winter Sprites over to me. It's easier than before, but I don't stop there. I strengthen my will and the snow around me starts to float. The snow floats around like a mini tornado. This didn't last long as everything slowly started to return to normal. My eyes and hair retain a pure white color. My hair grows about 3 centimeters longer. I also noticed something else.

The ground seems a little further down than normal. I take a couple steps and it feels off. I quickly walk over to a tree with awkward steps. I completely stretch my arm out in front of me before walking forward. I go until my palm completely touches the tree. I frown a bit before stretching both of my arms to my side. After some rough calculations my eyes brighten. 

"I GREW 3 INCHES TALLER!"

I yell out and I start running around the place. My previous discomfort and tiredness are completely gone. After a couple minutes of doing that I sit down on the snow and think. 

'Ok, why did I grow taller? Does it have something to do with my moment of realization? What led to that though?'

I look at the lower Winter Sprites. Before I could vaguely feel their intentions and other things. Now however, they seem more alive. I can better feel any emotions they feel. Looking around I can feel the Lower Winter Sprites that are resting. Before I didn't notice, but when the Winter Sprites that make up the snow are in a sleep-like state. 

In this state they become very hard to notice. I can wake them up easily and then control them, but I can't change the form before waking them up. I look down at my feet. 

"Ah right, the furs."

I stand up and start walking towards the river. I feel a lot better. That in addition with my slightly longer legs means I walk quite a bit faster than before. With this in mind I get to the river in around 1 hour and 15 minutes. I look around but the furs are nowhere in sight. I groan in frustration as I feel a mild headache coming. 

'Is there any way to find the furs other than searching every square inch of this snow?' 

The Lower Winter Sprites come a bit closer to me. An idea hits me. 

'Can you guys talk to the other Lower Winter Sprites and get the location of the fur for me?'

I don't have to literally talk since my intent is all I need to communicate with them. They agree and soon tons of them sink into the snow. I only have to wait a couple seconds before some of them come out. They guide me over to a snow covered part of the river. After digging for a couple seconds I get my hands on my fur. I smile and bring the fur to my chest. 

'With two of these I can make a skirt. Not exactly sure how I'll tie them together, I'm sure some magic can deal with it though.'

My stomach rumbles. 

'Well, I should probably get another rabbit on my way back.'

I start walking back home. On my way back I see the pack of elk I saw yesterday. I quickly decide to change my plans a bit. I hide behind a bush and look at them. I see a smaller elk, around adulthood, towards the edge of the herd. I close my eyes and slowly form 3 floating ice spikes. I breathe out slowly as I open my eyes. Other than a bit of weakness and dulled senses I'm unaffected. 

I lock onto the elk and after a couple seconds I command the ice spikes to fly towards it. The elk managed to spot the ice spikes and attempted to run. Before it could fully lift its leg 2 of the ice spikes it hit. One in the middle of its body and the other hit the neck. The third one missed as it went under it. The elk screamed in pain before collapsing. The others didn't wait before running in the other direction. 

After a couple seconds I stand up from my hiding spot. I head over to the fallen elk and make sure its actually dead. After confirming I think about how I will get it back home. Other than the fact there is no way to get in through the entrance, dragging it back will be difficult. No need to just leave it here though. 

'Its body will basically freeze in these temperatures. That will preserve it so it doesn't go bad. I should bury it around 10 -15 minutes from my home. Still need to figure out how I'm going to do that though.' 

After a bit of thinking I decide to go with trial and error. I try to push the elk, but I fail to do so. I can move it a bit, and flip it after a lot of effort. Not very effective for what I need to do. I try to drag it by the horns, but that also fails. I can certainly drag it, but it becomes harder and harder as the snow piles up. I can clear the snow away with my powers, but that is very bad for long distances. I will get a massive headache and pass out before I get home. 

After sitting around to recover a bit, my stomach growls again. Not very fond of starving, I form a dagger of ice and cut off a leg. Thigh and all. After eating my fill, I get an idea. I cut up the elk into pieces, which takes like an hour, and dispose of all the legs before placing the torso and head on something like a sled. Why not the whole thing? Because it will make everything take a lot longer. 

Since I don't want blood getting everywhere I freeze the blood inside of it. Satisfied, I start making my way home.