I am dropping this book 4

The lake came into view by midday, its icy surface stretching wide. The settlement Regina mentioned sat on its shore—a cluster of wooden huts with smoke curling from chimneys. Players moved between the buildings, their cloaks dark against the white snow.

"Looks cozy," Jolly said, cracking her knuckles. "Think they'll share their fire?"

"Not likely," Vell replied. "Stay sharp. We're not the only ones climbing."

They approached carefully, keeping to the trees along the lake's edge. Up close, the settlement was rough—huts patched with ice and wood, some half-broken. A few players glanced their way but didn't stop working. One, a tall woman with a spear, stood by the main path, watching them.

"You're new," she said as they got closer. Her voice was hard, like the ice under her feet. "Name's Lira. What's your business?"

"Passing through," Vell said, meeting her gaze. "Looking for info on this floor."