Crunch, crunch*
The sound of snow echoed in the open field as the group continued to advance in the mountains. The white steam escaped from their mouths continuously, freezing their beards with cold droplets but they were used to this since their young age.
" We are close. After going through that peak, we will cross the range and enter the area where we will see the forest."
The scout pointed at the flat area which over just 200 walks away from their current location but walking on the snow was taxing and coupled with the harsh winter, their bodies tended to be chilled and frostbitten.
" Take out some wine from your luggage and sip it."
Bjorn didn't prepare that much except for his rations, clothes, and weapons, so the best thing he could do now was to sip some wine to warm his cold body.
" Chief, here!"
One of the warriors handed him beef jerky while chewing his beef jerky with a calm face. He felt his hands were colder than usual but walking with his men gave him strength and endurance to continue, so he didn't show it outside.
" Thank you, Yandal."
Bjorn didn't refuse his kindness while chewing the jerky to replenish his energy. Each passing minute was more difficult than the previous one as their burden was extremely heavier than the rest because they carried the lives of their men.
" Let's move, Vør. Guide us."
Bjorn got up from the rock, clenching on his sword as a walking stick but Vør didn't move forward instead his face turned pale when he saw the snow crumble under the sword of Bjorn.
" Everyone, don't move! We will move one by one from now on and follow me from behind. Don't miss my single step!"
Vør pulled out a thin stick from his back, slightly pressuring it down to check whether everything was alright to walk.
His face remained steady when he saw that most of the snow was crumbling but his breath was quickened and his hands were trembling with fear.
He then went slowly forward despite the cold weather, motioning his men to follow him carefully. Otherwise, their lives would be endangered here since the snow was fragile.
" What is going on, Vør?"
Bjorn noticed the tension in his expression, knowing something was amiss here.
" Chief, we are in danger. This area has weak snow and if we move one step wrong, it will crumble down and engulf us whole. I don't know any Viking who had survived the wrath of the snow."
Vør spoke as quietly as possible, fearing he might cause problems. He knew their voices would cause an avalanche since mountains cast echo around them and that would create vibrations. Vibrations would create avalanche which would kill every single living being that had been engulfed by it.
" ! "
Bjorn's face crumbled instantly as he furrowed his eyebrows. His heart beat faster than usual and he felt fear engulfing his mind because nobody would be able to beat mother nature unless they were Gods and heroes of the myths.
They slowly walked toward the area where they would enter the range, but Vør kept crunching his nose with each passing moment.
His hand could feel the snow around them getting heavier and more fragile because his stick was sinking even more.
" Whoo*"
He took a deep breath to calm down, looking around themselves to find somewhere to hide in case of emergency. Unfortunately, this mountain had no clear rock in view and even if it had, it was probably hidden under the snow.
So, he began to think about where to escape from here since it was inevitable at this stage. The sharp sunlight blinded his vision by reflecting the light on the snow.
" What are you looking for?"
Yandal who was behind Bjorn and Vør asked quietly, thinking he was scanning for something because his eyes were darting around unlike his confident self.
" Rock or cave to hide. We will sooner or later face the avalanche due to fragile snow."
Vør spoke honestly, believing his men might be able to find something here even if the chances were minimal.
" Understood. You heard him, look around us carefully."
Bjorn commanded his men to search for caves and rocks.