The sun was a pale and sickly disc behind the heavy grey clouds. It provided no warmth. It only served to illuminate the jagged, frozen landscape of the ridge. Vane stepped out of the cave entrance, his boots sinking into the fresh layer of snow that had fallen overnight. He didn't look back at the interior. He knew Isole was awake. He had heard her breathing shift the moment he stood up.
"Stay within the wards," Vane said. His voice was a low rasp that didn't carry past the rocks. "I am scouting the northern perimeter. I will be back in twenty minutes."
He didn't wait for a response. He moved with a predatory grace, his spear held in a neutral position. He wanted to see the soil for himself.
