Chapter Four Snow and IceThe wind was so strong Mai could not hear anything but the flapping of her hood against her ears. At times she leaned into the sled to stop herself from being blown off. It was even colder out on the open plain. There was nothing but white ice in every direction, not a glimpse of other colour until the blue sky met the horizon. Even the mountains far off in the distance were white.
The chowks bounded forward, sometimes barking and sometimes just running. There was little to do in the way of steering because Aque led the way and the other chowks just followed. Even though the wind was chilly, the sky was clear and blue. The sun seemed to shine forever. The hours are passing so slowly, Mai thought many times, but perhaps the barren land needed extra warmth.
The cho
