Jourd'Aradia, 11th Duema
She'd been warned about Thaw, but somehow she'd not believed it. Despite the warmth that was making snow melt and turn the road up the mountain into slush, it was a bloody cold four days that it took them to reach the caves. They were soaked through by the time they reached the first cave, and the wind that blew fiercely down the mountain had done nothing to warm them. Yarrow was sure she'd never feel anything in her hands and legs again. In most places they'd been unable to ride their horses, because of the treachery of the melting snow, and so had to wade through in their breeches and boots -- which were supposed to be waterproof, but apparently had never been tested in Atton in spring. A few times they'd had to turn back and find another pass, for the one they
