Marrick climbed the ridge road with a lantern in one hand, a terrible feeling lodged in his stomach.
Giant footprints marched ahead of them through the drifts, each one deep enough to bury a cart wheel. They began on the manor roof last night, then climbed up the mountain without wasting a single step.
"Seven days left on Dreth's clock, so naturally we go hiking," Hajin said, walking backward to grin at the group, "I love this job."
"You love everything that might kill you, it's an alarming personality trait," Elise said, tugging her scarf higher.
"Heh, he also loves soup and shiny things," Sable said, loping along the drift line with an arrow already notched, "I think he'd marry a bonfire if it winked at him."
"Master loves a lot of things," Loccy said, hammer swinging gently from her shoulder, "I think it's one of the nicest parts of him."
"That's the kindest thing anyone has said about me all week, Bun, I'm going to cry."
