Chapter NineteenChildfey huddled beneath a warming canopy of woolen blankets that Ayla and Nayina had hastily constructed when the softly descending flurries of snow transformed into a storm. Utilizing bare limbs from the forest to hold the protective cloth aloft and securing it with rope found in each of the carts, they hurriedly covered the shivering childlings. The seeking chill of the winter storm was kept at bay by the makeshift shelters and the scantily clad childlings were able to keep reasonably warm beneath the covering, nestled within a thick layer of fresh hay strewn deeply across the bed of each cart. They were much warmer, in fact, than many of them had been in countless days and, although the darkness and the howl of the blizzard were ominous, the little ones neither cried no
