The impregnable fortress had fallen. Oh, nothing as epic as a battle against a monster, you might think. She, along with Kirton the Steel Leader, had the honor of discovering a most peculiar river—it was possible to walk on it, much like a certain famous figure. The problem, however, was that one could only take three steps at a time before sinking, never to resurface. A discovery that, in hindsight, proved useful to the rest of the group.
What followed was hardly more joyous. Hypothermia, gangrene, parasites hidden under the snow—a true massacre. The group had long since abandoned their quest, but returning was a challenge that seemed insurmountable. No one knew where civilization lay anymore, and compasses had stopped working. Mr. Windshire, his children, and the other survivors tried to reassure themselves, but no one was fooled—they were merely waiting for death.
