It was worse.

The snow pounded against her, finding every little opening in her clothes to pile into and melt. The wind was howling from the east and threatened to blow them sideways every time it gusted. And despite Issana's wide snowshoes - which kept getting heavier as snow piled onto them - her feet still slipped and sank into the ground. It was exhausting, so much so that any snow that melted into her clothes wasn't cold; her body heat just warmed it instantly and created wet pools against her skin.

At least Mercer was pulling the sled for now. In a few hours it would be her turn to take it again, dragging their supplies step by step through the wilderness.

Her face kept getting itchy beneath the face cover she wore as the moisture of her breath caused it to freeze into a solid shape. But she couldn't scratch anything with the massive, bowl-like gloves that covered her hands to the elbow.

Her snowshoe caught in a mound of snow and she stumbled. She swore inwardly. Two more days of this? The few hours they'd already gone was bad enough. Even if the weather didn't get worse, she'd still be so exhausted by the end that she'd be of little use in Karliah's hideout.

But that was probably the point. If Karliah was as clever as Mercer said then she'd have picked this place for that exact reason.

Mercer passed her the sled's ropes without a word. Issana clenched her jaw and heaved, feeling the sled's skids begin to slide over the snow.

One step.

Two steps.

Step after step she went, staring at the ground as she dragged the wooden sled onwards. Even in the frigid wind she could feel sweat seeping into her underclothes. Her legs were beginning to feel leaden and breathing deep was sharp and painful.

"Hurry it up, would you?" snapped Mercer.

Issana grunted with exertion as she gave the sled a yank. "I'm trying. I'm a thief, not an ox."

Mercer didn't reply. Issana tugged hard again and her foot slipped, dropping her to her knees in the snow. She swore loudly and picked herself up again.

"Ugh, give it to me," said Mercer.

"I've got it."

"At this pace we'll never make it. Give it to me."

"I said," Issana began, giving the sled another heave, "I've got it." She stumped forwards in the snow.

"Suit yourself," said Mercer.

She made it another hour before they hit a hill. Issana strained, fighting with the incline, and got three or four yards up before her feet shot out from under her and the sled slid back down the hill, dragging her behind it. Mercer stopped it with one foot.

Issana rolled upright, spitting snow. "A little help, please?"

"Thought you said you had it."

Issana shook snow from her hood. "I'll pull, you push."

"No," said Mercer. "It's getting dark. We'll make camp here and start up the hill in the morning. Pitch the tent."

"You going to help?"

Mercer glared at her. "I'm going to have a look around."

Issana pulled the rolled tent off the back of the sled. It hit the snow with a muffled thump. She began undoing the ropes that kept the furs bound tightly together.

It took a few attempts to get the tent ready. The thick furs were extremely heavy and turned the process into a struggle, but after a few tries and a lot of cursing, Issana finally had it upright. She carried her and Mercer's packs over to it and tossed them inside, then crawled in herself.

It was uncomfortably tight. Her head brushed the ceiling a few times as she struggled to lay out the furs. She didn't relish the thought of sleeping so close to Mercer but knew there was little choice. Once she'd finished, she clambered back outside.

The biting wind made her instantly regret it. Mercer was standing with his back to her, watching the empty tundra. "I killed an elk about half a mile east of us," he said. "Should keep any sabrecats off us overnight." He ducked down and crawled into the tent.

Issana winced at the freezing wind as it found its way inside her clothes. Damn, this place is horrible.

The snow had lessened, though. With any luck it would be gone by tomorrow and they could press on in clear weather instead of battling their way through wind and ice. She brushed snow from her face. Yeah, when this is over I'm definitely taking a break.

It was dark when Mercer's voice called out from within the tent. "You going to stay out there and freeze to death?"

Issana rolled her eyes and crawled back into the tent. Mercer had already rolled up in furs and had his eyes closed. She ignored him and gathered her own furs around herself, facing away from him. All her frustration from the day quickly faded into sleep.

It came back as soon as she awoke. Mercer was already taking down the tent with her inside. She grunted under her breath and scrambled outside. "Do you mind?"

Mercer didn't look at her. "Get the sled ready."

Issana stalked off. The snow had stopped and the sky was clear, but the sled was still partially buried. She kicked as much of the snow away as she could and shoved the sled free. Mercer dropped the tent onto it with a grunt. "Eat quickly," he said. "I want to get as much out of this weather as we can."

They set off up the hill. Mercer took the lead, dragging the sled with the ropes braced over his shoulder for support. Issana leaned all her weight into the back of the sled to help but kept sinking into the fresh, powdery snow.

They breasted the hill after a struggle and stopped for a moment. Mercer removed his hood and ran a hand through his greying hair. He glanced over at Issana. "Take the sled for the next stretch. It's flat."

It was. As far as Issana could see there was nothing but the smooth whiteness of the tundra. To the west were the lofty peaks of the Winterhold Mountains, jagged like shards of crystal and capped with ice. It was strangely beautiful, in its own unforgiving way.

Mercer handed her the ropes and set off north-east. "If we can make good time today we should reach Snow Veil by noon tomorrow."

Issana hoisted the ropes and pulled. At least the calm weather made it easier. She took a few deliberate steps to get her balance and then set off quickly after Mercer with the sled whispering along behind.