31
Just Deserts
The sun had begun to peek above the mountains on the far side of the Vale, and it seemed its coming caused the land to fall silent. The breeze that had been blowing all night faded away to nothing, and as its omnipresent whistling faded the silence of the hills seemed almost deafening to Melanie's ears.
She should have known that portended trouble ahead.
The Marshall still led the way. He was approaching the crest of the hill they were climbing when he suddenly pulled his horse to a halt and waved back at the rest of them to stop as well. He remained motionless for a while, peering ahead intently. Then, slowly, he dismounted and pointed for them to do the same.
Melanie looked down at the snow, almost thigh deep on the Marshall, and then at her calf-high boots and t
