I trip over the snow and fall but I don't feel any pain on impact.
The cold has made me numb.
I had been in such a hurry to even notice that I had not carried appropriate outfits for this brutal cold.
I should have listened to Klara after all.
It's too late for regrets now. I'm rolling down the slope.
Luckily I don't get encircled in a massive snowball like they used to do in my childhood fantasies but deep down I wish that I did.
That would keep me safe from the snow wolves in the meantime.
They are closing in at a terrifying rate. I'm not really sure if they are normal wolves but my life depends on them being normal.
When I'm done rolling I take out my map.
I still have a couple thousand miles to cover. I grunt in frustration. I've been walking for eternity yet I'm not even halfway into the journey.
My body is almost reaching its limit. A howl brings back my attention.
Those clumsy creatures seem to have failed to catch some game and for some odd reason they want to take off their frustration through me.
I'm not ready to be their plaything though.
The mission at hand is far more important than their hunger.
They could die for all I care. They could even go to hell but I have to get to the other side at all costs.
Even if it's the last thing I'll ever do.
I dig into my stockpile and fish out a few potions.
I gulp on the vials. These should be enough to cover a couple more hundred miles.
I feel reenergized. The pain in my muscles disappear.
It feels as if I've had a month's good sleep but I know it's only an illusion.
My body is slowly dying from the fatigue and no amount of potions can cure that.
I dig into my coat and take out the tiny globe.
It's still shining but it has lost a considerable amount of light.
It marks the time I have left. I'm running out of it. I need to get there fast.
If I am even a single second late then all my efforts will be in vain.
My life is not important.
My life doesn't matter.
What matters is getting to the other side on time.
Many lives depend on that.
A sharp pain shoots through my body.
It settles on my chest and head. I fell to the ground. I can't help but shriek in pain.
My body feels as if it's on fire. My internal organs feel as if they may vaporize at any moment.
I'm still yelling while holding my head. Tunnel vision strikes me for a few seconds before clearing up.
I notice a black feather popping from my right hand. I'm horrified and enraged at the same time. I pluck it out. A tiny drop of blood forms on the spot.
I really need to increase my pace otherwise very terrible things may happen.
The pain is clearing away fast. The screams are no longer coming from my throat.
It exits my body and leaves no mark at all as if it had never been there in the first place. It leaves me with a cold sweat on my forehead.
The burning sensation is gone. I can feel the cold of the snow once again. For the first time since the journey started I'm happy to feel cold.
I find myself smiling at the thought.
I'm about to resume my journey but they have caught up with me.
From the look of things the snow wolves are not here because they desire the privilege of my company.
This is a desperate move; their final attempt to ensure that they do not starve to death.
Even if it means they have to eat filth. Even if it means having a piece of me in their bellies.
There are six wolves.
The lead male is black. The rest are white.
The leader of the pack does not bother with pleasantries or even a brief introduction. He gets straight to business.
He leaps and pounces on me with open jaws aiming for my exposed fragile neck while I'm lying on the ground.
And to think I had done all I could to avoid any trouble with them.
I instinctively roll to prevent it from taking a bite on me then I get on my feet.
The alpha wolf doesn't give up. He leaps again but this time I'm prepared.
I wait for him and make a clean slash across his neck with my dagger.
Blood is flowing from his throat.
He falls and doesn't get up. Thank heavens they are plain wolves.
The other members of the pack are still watching. They appear frozen in fear.
A female wolf breaks free from the trance.
She launches an attack but follows the same fate as their leader.
Only four wolves are left now. They are too frightened to move.
' Good dogs '
Just the way I need it.
I pull out the tiny black book and open a page.
I begin chanting a mantra while keeping eye contact with the wolves.
When I'm done I'm not really sure if it has worked but I move to confirm.
I approach one wolf and pat him on his head. I stroke his fur. He wags his tail.
A smile forms on my face. I feel my eyes get watery in joy. I have four loyal strong dogs now.
What am I even supposed to do with them?
Luckily I had come prepared beforehand.
I take a look at my sleigh. I use it to carry my food reserves and water. It was constructed in such a way that I could sleep on it when I got tired.
Throughout the journey I had not used it because I was afraid of oversleeping.
I tie the tags across the necks of my new loyal servants and brief them with the details about the journey.
They seem delighted to be of help.
I jump onto my modified sleigh and they get to work.
I take out a few cookies Klara had baked and eat to my satisfaction. Luckily the slightly warm conditions in my bag had prevented the water from turning into ice.
I take a few sips of the vital liquid.
If the words of the Shaman are to be believed, this season's winter will be lasting longer than usual.
After having the satisfying meal I realized how much my body needed it.
Despite the potions I took I feel drowsy already.
My body desperately needs to recover. If my predictions are right, the wolves will save me a couple of weeks.
They are moving at twice their usual pace whenever chasing a prey. That's way more than tenfold my usual pace.
In their minds all that matters is the journey.
Their bodies don't matter.
Their fatigue doesn't matter.
Even if they die.
All that matters is covering the journey as fast as possible.
I pray to the heavens that they survive the journey.
After that they have my blessings to find all the games in the world.
It's unfortunate that the mission we are in is far more important than any of our lives.
I'm not sure if there is a possibility of my hold on them weakening once I fall asleep but I have full faith in the mantra.
I decided to take the risk. I adjust my position and get comfortable then I close my eyes.
The wolves will wake me up when we reach the terrains they are unable to transverse.
By the time that happens I will have slept peacefully for a couple of days.
I take out a potion that repairs the body while asleep and prevents it from waking up unnecessarily.
I need all the sleep I can get because I know I may never find such an opportunity again.
Slumberland is inviting me.
I realize that this is all I needed. It may have even saved my life.
Let me just hope that the wolves will remain obedient throughout the journey.