If given the choice, spending the night in a frigid mountain cave would be the last situation anyone would want to accept. The howling mountain wind outside sounded like the roar of an ancient beast, making one worry that just poking a head out of the cave mouth would result in being swallowed by a massive jaw. The cold invaded from all directions, as thin and gentle as spider silk, pervading every crevice and taking away the last vestiges of warmth.
Lynch's spells seemed unable to ward off this annoying chill; even the firewall erected at the entrance wavered briefly before extinguishing. The firewood for the bonfire burned quickly, yet no one could descend the mountain to gather more. Everyone watched the gradually fading flames with silence.
