define('WP_CACHE', true); Chapter 8: Snowed In – Crossed Paths – Logs

Mar 10

Chapter 8: Snowed In

Chapter 8: Snowed In

In Which Jozra and Soquan Find Themselves Snowed Into Their Burrow.

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Catamount says: Hours later the ferret wakes up into darkness. She furrows her brow and murmurs. “That’s odd…”

Arrin says: The otter grumbles in his sleep and rolls over, taking with him his body heat and a lot of the blanket.

Catamount says: The ferret gasps in the suddenly very chill air. She hadn’t realized how cold it had gotten outside their little nest.

Arrin says: Soquan sleeps on, obviously unaffected by the cold.

Catamount says: Jozra grabs the cloak she was laying on and wraps it around herself. She stands slowly and feels her way towards where the fire was.  Shivering, she’s finally able to light a small torch and with this little illumination, she looks around the cave, trying to remember what woke her up.

Arrin says: He wakes up moments later, yawning widely.  Not feeling her nearby, he sits up. “Jozra?”

Catamount says: She murmurs from across the cavern. “I’m here.  Something woke me up and I’m not sure what… It feels kind of like I slept in.”

Arrin says: He stands and frowns, his ears twitching this way and that. “There’s no breeze coming through.”

Catamount says: The ferret sniffs the air. “You’re right. Think the hole is plugged up?”

Arrin says: He heads towards the entrance. “I’ll check.” He heads up the passage and comes back down a moment later. “We’re stuck in here. Snowed in to be precise.  The snow’s turned almost solid, I can’t move it, there’s only enough room at the top of the hole to let air in.”

Catamount says: The ferret huddles deeper into her cloak. “That would explain why it’s so cold, but it should warm up soon, right?  I wonder if we should light any fires, though.”

Arrin says: He shakes his head. “Don’t light any fires, the smoke wouldn’t get out and we’d suffocate. And I don’t know about it getting warmer, the air that is coming in cold air.”

Catamount says: The ferret puts out her torch and feels her way along the wall to where Soquan is. “Well, sometimes snow acts as an insulator.  I’ve known of those trapped in blizzards sometimes digging a snow cave to keep warm.”

Arrin says: He shrugs. “Maybe it will then.” He takes her paw in his to let her know where he is.

Catamount says: Jozra blinks owlishly to no avail. “So I suppose we’ll have to put up with cold food for breakfast. Think it will thaw soon?”

Arrin says: He grins lopsidedly. “I think we might have to wrap it in a blanket to keep it from freezing.” He pauses for a moment. “Goodness, you’re shivering. C’mere.” He leads her back to their nest and pulls the ferret against him, and folds his arms around her. “Any better?”

Catamount says: Jozra tucks the cloak tightly about her and nods. “Much, thank you.”

Arrin says: “Anytime.” He leans back and pulls the blankets around them. He settles down, still holding her close. “So what do you want to talk about?”

Catamount says: She thinks quietly for a bit while she warms up again. “Well, I’m kind of concerned about getting out of here. I’m willing to wait a couple of days but our food won’t last much longer than a week.”

Arrin says: He nods. “I know, I should’ve warned you about the flash snowstorms. I doubt that the storm will last for more than a week.”

Catamount says: The ferret thinks about this for a bit. “So I suppose if the snow melts sooner we can get on with our trip, but if it melts later, we should just head back to the village…”

Arrin says: He nods. “Yeah, there’s no need to starve ourselves over just a little bit of gold.”

Catamount says: The ferret nods. “I agree.  I had more or less given up on finding gold before I met you anyway.  This just seemed convenient and a nice trip to take.”

Arrin says: He nods sleepily, yawning loudly. “Yeah…”

Catamount says: The ferret chuckles. “Doesn’t seem like there’s much to do other than sleep then.”

Arrin says: “Yeah.” He grins and continues in an obviously playful, seductive tone, “That is, unless you can think of something else to do…” His grip around her waist tightens in a suggestive manner.

Catamount says: The ferret chuckles. “Now… That would use up our air even faster I think.”

Arrin says: He laughs. “You’re right.” He gives her a somewhat affectionate nuzzle. “We sleep then…” He closes his eyes.

Catamount says: Jozra pulls the cloaks tight around herself and soon falls back to sleep.

 

Jozra

1 comment

  1. I repeat my sentiments from the last chapter. It was fun to read. ^_^

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