After Shila wakes up that morning, the two of you begin to climb
the mountain, using what appears to be a path. Halfway through your
day, you notice that the surrounding temperature has dropped, not
increased. It may be spring below, but it is always winter on the
High Barrier.
Time continues to go by, and the temperature continues to drop. Snow
fills the air, sparse at first and then coalescing into a full-scale storm.
After a while, you're not even sure that you and Shila are still on the
path.
'Spencer...' Shila says, standing close to you for warmth. 'It's...
too cold up here...'
You turn to Shila and put your hands on her shoulders. Concentrating
more than usual to compensate for the distraction of the weather,
you call up what small magic you possess and direct it to heal Shila.
She smiles slightly as the magic warms her, but the smile fades as
the temporary effect vanishes.
'Thank you...' Shila says. 'I feel better.' She begins to move on,
climbing up the mountain.
The sun is gone from your view, though whether obscured by clouds or
simply set you cannot tell from within the maelstrom of the snow. Your
body suggests that it has set, however. You're already exhausted,
and your earlier use of magic has done nothing to aid that situation.
You need to sleep...
'Spencer... I'm tired...' Shila says, echoing your thoughts. 'It's night...
I need to sleep.' Shila doesn't sound like she's entirely awake as it
is, but she does make a good argument. You're not sure if you can
continue on.
