Alsea whimpered, curling into a ball as she began to wake. Slowly she cracked open one swollen eyelid, peering out through her damp curls. All se could see was snow piled everywhere, covering everything but her. She blinked, slowly pushing herself up and glancing around. How had she gotten here? Alsea sniffed, a single tear slipping down her cheek. She was alone, utterly alone. "Where am I" she breathed, hugging herself and rocking back and forth in the snow. "What am I doing here?"

Biting her lip to resist going into hysterics she attempted to rise immediately falling back down to the ground. Repeatedly she tried, but always her weak knees caused her to collapse. Tears scalded her frozen cheeks. She was going to die, and she was going to die alone.

She had been abandoned by the one person she loved most. I hate you, Alsea raged internally, I hate you, I hate you! Her blind rage would not allow her to stay still for long. Slowly, she forced herself to rise once again, raw emotion giving her the strength to stand. "You left me," she hissed as she stumbled along, dragging her feet through the snow. "How dare you leave me!"

Her foot caught on something, sending her sprawling face first into the white powder. Alsea's fiery vehemence immediately burnt out. Helpless, hopelessly, she began to weep. Her fists pounding at the ground beneath her. It wasn't fair, nothing was fair. Why had her Father left her here? Where had he gone? What had happened?

After several minutes of mind-numbing tears she raised her head, glancing behind her to find out what had caught her foot. Within seconds all the blood left her already pale face. An icey blue hand reached out from the snow, her father's wedding band on the ring finger. "No" she breathed, trying so hard to mourn for the dead man, but there were simply no more tears left. "I should have known better, Daddy. I'm sorry I should have known you'd never leave me. Pease, please," she croaked, her voice raw with the tears that just would not come, "Please don't be angry with me, Daddy."

All the memories, all the horrors of the night before filled her mind, and all she could see were the drooling change-beast

With a shudder she threw herself away from the frozen hand, dry-heaving into the snow. "I should be dead," she moaned, dragging herself away on her hands and knees, "Oh, why am I not dead?"

----------

"Must keep on moving," Alsea whispered, pulling her cloak tighter about herself as she blindly stumbled forward, the never-ending whiteness hindering her vision. "I have to do as Father said" She shivered, all her clothes were soaked through and packed in innumerable places with snow. Alsea was dying, and she was blithely unaware. " I have to reach Haven."

Unnatural determination goaded Alsea on, and she could always hear her father's voice in her head, continually repeating " Run as far as Haven if you must just do not look back!" She would go, she would continue on to Haven if it killed her. She would do as her father had said, as an apology for believing he had left her.

Snow continually slapped her in the face, almost yelling at her to stop and go back. Telling her that she was not worthy to redeem herself. Alsea would not stop, she would prove to her father that she was worthy. She would see him again, and he would thank her for trying so hard. "I'm coming, Daddy!" she shouted, urging more speed into her every step. "Just wait for me! I can do it! You'll see!"

----------

"Treyvin, we have to stop! This is sheer madness, running about in a bloody blizzard!" Dannyn shouted, immediately ducking his head back into his collar. The glorious sunshine hadn't lasted longer than a few hours, and soon enough they were being attacked on all sides by snow. Dannyn hated snow.

The Companion ignored his Herald, forcing himself forward, all senses, magical or not, at full alert as he searched for "The Girl." Dannyn would just have to deal with it.

Dannyn let out a long, suffering sigh. Gently, he Touched Treyvin's mind, pleading with him. :Trev, we have to stop. We will be of no use to The Girl if we turn into frozen stumps. We have to find shelter, and soon.: Treyvin would not respond. Dannyn bit his lip, putting more urgence into his mind-voice. :Please, Treyvin. I I'm worried about you.:

Treyvin halted, turning his head to gaze back at his Chosen. As much as he hated to admit it, Dannyn was right. They would be of no use to the poor child if their minds were numb from lack of sleep, and even less use if they were dead. Slowly, hesitantly, he nodded his head, turning north-east to a cave they had passed recently. :You are right, Chosen. We must rest.:

A flood of relief and a simple 'thank you' was Dannyn's response. Soon enough they could rest, then find the child, then they could return to Haven. Oh, blessed Agnira I hope so. I am so tired of all this traveling

Treyvin snorted, tossing his head. :Once again you are whining! Who is doing all the work here, might I ask? Not you! You just sit on your mighty rump all day and watch as I do the walking.:

Dannyn smiled softly as he patted his Companion's side with a gloved hand. :Indeed, little one. You deserve much better than an ungrateful whelp like me.: His smile broadened as he received a 'mental hug' from Trev. He suddenly felt so much warmer, despite the snow that mercilessly beat at them.

:I am sorry I worried you, Chosen. I didn't mean it.: Treyvin stammered, and the Herald could Sense a mental blush coming from the Companion.

A glimmer came to Dannyn's eye as he saw the vague shadow of the cave begin to form in front of them. :You worry too much, Treyvin. We'll find the girl, and Kaea will Choose her. All will be well.:

:I certainly hope so: