Eriana is glad when he finally seems recovered enough that she doesn’t have to worry. But his suggestion brings on a new sense of fear, and she turns her head to look off in the direction he suggested. It should have been an easy feat to make. The ground was level, and the trees weren’t that far away. But with her legs already shaking beneath her, Eriana clung to doubt more than hope.
Head turning so that she could look at Alioth again, she decided not to speak what was probably obvious on her face. “I….” she started but then paused, looking towards the trees again. “I’ll try…” It was all that she could promise. If she did not make it, if she collapsed back to the cold grasp of the snow, then he would just have to leave her behind so that he didn’t perish along side her.
Swallowing down her anxieties, Eriana began trying to walk. The drag of the snow against her legs was not helpful as she made each wobbly step, but she kept her eyes on the goal. When they had gone halfway, the mare was forced to stop. Her breath was ragged, panting on the cold air and her neck had grown damp with sweat making her even colder. I’m not going to make it she thought helplessly. I’m never going to have a life. I’m never going to find love, or have a family. I’m going to die, right here, in the snow. Tears began to roll down her cheeks and she closed her eyes, trying to stop them.
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