For Olav it was as easy as walking upstairs and, having attached his ropes to Ileana, he led the way knowing that he had taught her never to make an unwary step and never to move until she was quite certain she would not slip.
The sun was high in the sky as they climbed steadily.
It took over an hour to reach the point from which Ileana knew she could look down into the valley on the other side and see what was happening.
There was no sound except for the tap of Olav’s alpine pick and they did not speak.
She knew without her telling him that Olav was aware that this was a secret climb, that she was spying on the intruders and had no wish for them to be aware of it.
All the time they were climbing higher, she could see the eagles overhead and this reassured her that whatever was happen
