At the Red Tide train station, a pitch-black railroad cut across the snowfield like a giant black snake coiled on the ground, extending with the terrain and disappearing into the gray-white horizon.
Parked beside the platform was Louis's private steam train.
Louis wore a dark outfit, with a long, cold-resistant cloak neatly fastened on the outside.
Two ladies stood on either side of the platform's edge, seeing him off.
Sif was wrapped in a thick white bear fur coat, her breath turning into white mist in front of her.
She leaned in a little closer and whispered, in a voice only the three could hear, "Are you running off in a hurry because you're afraid of tonight...?"
Louis paused for a moment, his ears barely perceptibly warming up, turned his head slightly, and coughed, as if he hadn't heard clearly or simply did not want to engage with such talk.
Sif noticed this, her smile growing more apparent as she added, "Come back soon. Or I'll go to the port to catch you."
