They had traveled four days into the timberline, and the scenery had remained Constant. North? ‘Whose idea had this been’ he asked of the horse beneath him.They had found nothing north save for blistering cold, snow and more snow.Game had been scarce and his stomach screamed for attention. The rest of him Felt nothing his hands had stopped hurting for some time now, as had his face.Then through ice covered lashes he could just see a clearing ahead, with strange Rock formations, but what’s more there was no snow. He shifted in his saddle. Then Pain went stiff beneath him, and his head came up in alert. Dark Heart Saw them to. Two big cats in the path ahead. Lean and hungry they looked. He let his ax swing from the saddle horn. It would be slow to answer this swift Beast, his hand reached up to bring forth his sword. The cats did not attack but Moved back into the clearing. This was good; Pain would be free of the snow in The battle. As his sword cleared he dismounted, His mount would need all the Speed it could to answer the attack. His own sword arm would be free to chose its mark. Man and horse moved toward the clearing as one..