Margaret pulled her worn cloak tighter as their group entered the narrowing mountain pass. The terrain had grown progressively treacherous since dawn, with snow-covered paths giving way to exposed rock and jagged crystal formations that jutted from the earth like the teeth of some ancient, forgotten beast.
She guided her horse carefully, eyeing the towering cliffs that hemmed them in on both sides. The mountains of Frostfall had their own presence—not merely physical obstacles, but sentient guardians suspicious of trespassers. Margaret felt their judgment pressing down on her shoulders, weighing her worth with every step.
"I don't like this," she said, voice soft enough that only Xavier, riding beside her, could hear. "The crystal formations are growing denser. Something isn't right."
Xavier nodded, his dark hair dusted with snowflakes. "The compass is pulling us this way. Nolan's somewhere beyond this pass."
