Impossible Dream? (Part One)

Two days later, Hauke stood nervously outside the gates, watching a snake of flame formed of countless soldiers carrying torches wind its way up the narrow road to the Frost Walker's icy fortress. When he first noticed the powerful energy of Lady Nyrielle and her forces entering the High Pass, he'd expected that she would make rapid progress through the pass, the same way she had during her previous visit. 

He'd known she was coming and that she should be arriving soon. Both Lady Nyrielle and Lady Ashlynn had made it clear that they intended to return to the Vale of Mists before the winter snows sealed the pass to all but the most experienced winter travelers. He'd even been counting the days, trying to estimate how close they were to arriving and growing increasingly anxious that they wouldn't arrive before the winter snows.