I am dropping this book 5

The wind howled louder as Vell and his team trudged through the snow, their boots sinking with every step. The cold bit at their fingers and noses, turning their cheeks red. Ruby kept close to Vell, her fluffy hat bouncing as she shivered. Wren grumbled under her breath, her claws tucked away to save energy. Jolly marched ahead, her big steps carving a path for the others. Jia and Regina stayed quiet, eyes scanning the white wasteland around them.

"Master, are we there yet?" Ruby asked, her voice small against the wind.

"Almost," Vell said, squinting through the snow. "The lake's close. Keep moving."

The frozen lake shimmered into view, a giant sheet of ice glowing faintly under the gray sky. The settlement Lira had told them about sat on its shore—small wooden huts with smoke puffing from their tops. Players moved around, their dark shapes blurry in the falling snow. It looked peaceful, but Vell knew better. Places like this always hid trouble.