Day 29, Season Of Spring, Year 502 AV
Angry red hands clawed at the hard pack snow futilely and an equally irritable booted foot was swift to follow this vicious attack on the snow. Finally the small frame stilled entirely and plopped down on the rigid ground with a small huff.
‘It should not have been this hard…’ Bright golden eyes stared at her paling fingers; it would definitely lead to frostbite if she didn’t get home soon. Frostnip was one thing but even her blowing on her fingers wasn’t bringing back all the sensation anymore, she leaned back against the wall of the cave and contemplated the risks of taking off her boots. She had only once had a more severe case of Trench Foot and it had not been pleasant amputation had almost been necessary. She didn’t truly want to take them off and she only had enough flint and tinder for one small fire if she ran out.But if she did not take them off...
She shook her head and reached into her damp pocket carefully, she would stay optimistic, there was no way her own body would be foolish enough to get the same sickness twice. It had to work and she would find a way out of the cave.
Slipping quickly out of her heavy jack she patted the inside for any dry patches before using her teeth and the sharp edge of the steel to tear up what pieces she could before carefully lining up her supplies and squinting at them in the dark.
Flint, Steel, Cloth Strips and a sack full of dried wood shavings, it wasn’t enough to last long but it would warm her up enough to dig her way out of the cave or maybe even find a hole to crawl through.
She began working quickly, her toes beginning to cry out in pain furiously making her hands shake slightly; quickly she folded her cloth and laid the flint underneath, then shoving her tingling fingers in the small sack she crushed the shavings in her palm before reaching for the flint and cloth holding both as properly as she could with one hand the other reaching hastily for the steel. Angling the flint up and towards the steel she struck in one smooth motion.
“One strike.” She murmured happily dropping the steel and flint before folding the cloth painstakingly slow, “Don’t you dare go out little spark!”
Pushing the cloth to the center of her shavings she cupped her hands and blew in strong and steady puffs waiting for the tell-tale flame to burn bright. When it came up suddenly, flickering and waving she nearly dropped it in her cry of victory.
Settling herself she carefully placed the growing flame on her jacket, it would burn no doubt but she would need the flame for as long as possible and she was close enough to her home that she at worse would end up with another itchy case of Chilblains and a trip to the Whitevine Hold.
With the light she could finally take a decent look around the cave. It was small, she guessed about ten feet in either direction but she wouldn’t get up to test that, she doubted she even could at that moment. There were no icicles, which she was grateful for and very thin ice layered the solid ground, it seemed cold and airless and she noted with some gloominess that there was not an opening large enough for her to squeeze through.
After taking in what she could from the small area she was trapped in she positioned her feet to the fire and waggled her toes with a small smile of satisfaction. “Thank Morwen...and please help me get back dig through this snow before it freezes.”
She sat, for how long she didn’t know but the fire grew and feeling of being stabbed with needles pierced her hands, feet and nose swiftly and with a vengeance. But it would not stop her from gingerly stepping on feet and dragging the jacket closer to the snow covered entrance. She did not have time to sit.
Closing her eyes tightly and letting loose a yelping battle-cry she shoved her fingers in the snow and began digging only to note with building frustration that the snow was nearly frozen.
Hopeless! She would never get out and she would never dance even if she did! Her eyes watered, for surely she would get Foot Trench again and this time she may even need amputation. No! I will get out and I will not cry…stupid tears will freeze.Scolding herself fiercely for a few more moments she dragged her jacket ever closer to the snow, hoping that as it melted she could punch, dig and kick her way through.
Morwen must have answered her prayers though for after five more minutes of fruitless digging she was able to push the snow and ice easier.
With a loud happy cheer and a prayer to Morwen she flung herself mercilessly against the snow, smiling wider each time it gave a little more.
“I…want…out!” She cried with push, her final cry and push sent her tumbling out of the small cave.
Rubbing her head tenderly she winced at the oncoming bump but her happiness at her escape quickly forced away the pain. She turned in a quick circle, stumbling on her once again cold feet and hollered loudly at the small group only a few feet away. She had knew without a doubt it was her mother, father and maybe a few other once again searching for her.
And she was not mistaken as her slightly miffed and panic stricken father ran towards her and scooped her up quickly, wrapping her in a blanket at the same time.
“Have you learnt nothing?!” He mumbled rhetorically, hugging her close.
“I have.” She winced as her teeth chattered and bit through her bottom lip but smile happily up at her father who only stared skeptically. “Really...” She paused weighing her words and decided his nervous laughter would be worth it she spoke, “I should have brought extra clothes!”
Content with her father mumbling and laughing in equal measures she snuggled closer and closed her eyes, it had been a long day but she now knew her limits and she was that much closer to her goal. Soon she would be ready to travel!
END
