The whirling snow made visibility poor in the mountains, but the travelers plodded across the frozen ground with new determination…the conditions were not well-suited for travel, and as a result there were several bruised knees and elbows from the slick ground…there were blistered cheeks and toes and fingers often had to be coaxed from numbness…they weaved their way higher and higher around the trodden paths of snow…Cecil was uneasy about how clear the path seemed…It was almost as if someone journeyed there only hours before; almost as if someone had invited them into the mountains…

Cecil mentioned it to the others as they paused for a brief rest.

"Does anyone else feel like this path wasn't very hard to find?"

Everyone's gazes shifted around uncertainly. Edward nodded, flexing his fingers to warm them.

"I have no doubt that someone has traveled this path recently…"

"--But --" Cecil raised his hand pointedly. "--In this storm someone must have come through very recently…"

Rosa agreed with a nod of her head.

"That would rule out anyone here for the last Winter Festival…" Edward claimed, brushing snowflakes from his hair.

"And what about the ice wall at the base of the mountains?"

Rosa drew the cloak tighter around her shoulders. Cecil glanced up suddenly as Rosa continued:

"--Which means someone came down this path from the other way…"

The swirling snow and wind cloaked the silence that followed …the prince of Damcyan stood after a moment…

"Surely it was no one from Fabul --" he reasoned. "--They would be aware of the treacherous conditions --"

He swiped at the snowflakes clinging to his shirt.

"--Fabul often travels by sea…"

Rydia grabbed her bow from the mounds of snow and bounced to Edward's side. Rosa turned to Cecil for a suggestion but he only shrugged.

"I honestly don't know what choices we have --" he admitted…But I'm supposed to, he thought in dismay…

"--All I know is we shouldn't waste any more time here…"

Everyone agreed by beginning their slow journey through the snow again…it seemed to have slackened a bit, but the billowy clouds that encased the mountains made the surroundings nearly invisible. After walking and climbing and clambering up small icy mounds of snow they were exhausted to the point of giving up…Miraculously they noticed a small cavern indented on the side of the rocks and ice and snow…it was a shelter from the cold and wind…Rydia collapsed in the dark corner of the cave with the cloak hugged tightly around her thin shoulders…Edward pulled the harp strap over his head wearily and dropped the instrument on the rocky ground…He plopped down next to Rydia, who immediately tossed part of the cloak around him…Edward accepted it with a gracious smile and the little girl snuggled close to him in the chilly cave…Rosa stood close to Cecil.

"Should we build a fire?" she asked anxiously, shivering despite the thick cloak. Cecil shook his head with regret.

"I don't think we should risk it --"

He gazed out into the bands of thick snow and fog…the sun's rays were dying away quickly…

"--If someone else is here…"

He let his voice trail off…They know what would happen…

"We would be caught between a rock and a hard place…"

Edward's voice drifted from the shadows of the cave. Wearily Rosa agreed and dropped to the stone ground beside Rydia, who rested her head on Rosa's shoulder. The prince huddled near Rydia, his knees drawn up to his chin, shivering.

"It is so c-cold in here…"

Rydia slid next to him eagerly.

"I'll keep you warm!" she proclaimed and Rosa smiled. Edward also managed a half-hearted smile then yawned.

"I am so tired but I can't make myself fall asleep --"

He spoke solemnly.

"--I am afraid I'll not wake in the morning…"

There was oppressive silence as they all gazed at Cecil, who was still standing near the mouth of the cave…my turn, he thought scornfully…it's my turn to tell them we'll be okay…Darkness had fallen so the Knight was not visible to the others… but an occasional flurry of snow cast Cecil's silhouette against the eerie whiteness…

"No one's going to die --" Cecil spoke at last. There was a slight shifting of his boots on the cold ground.

"--All four of us are together --"

Another pause as his footsteps approached them.

"--No one's going to die..."

When he said those words…made that promise…the others knew it was the absolute truth…Edward believed him because he trusted Cecil; Rydia believed him because Cecil was the leader; and Rosa believed him because Cecil believed in himself. As he approached Rosa, she heard the scraping of his helmet on the stones…he groaned wearily and rested on the cold hard ground beside her. She laid her head on his dark armor and Edward's voice sleepily broke the silence:

"May God watch over us that we will find truth in those words…"

Silence…Soon they heard Rydia's steady breathing…

"I believe he'll watch over us..."

Cecil spoke at last, drawing Rosa close with one arm. Rosa sighed.

"I believe too…" she whispered, laying her head onto his shoulder again.

Soon everyone slept and the chilly north wind continued to howl.

* * * * * *

Edward woke early the next morning. The first thing he noticed was how cold it was…he couldn't even feel his feet or toes or fingers…He yawned and began wiggling his toes experimentally…Rydia laid next to him, and his sudden movement caused her to awaken after a moment, and she lifted her head from where it rested on Edward's arm…

"Hey Edward!"

She grinned then yawned.

"Good morning --" Edward whispered deliberately, indicating Cecil and Rosa who were still fast asleep.

"--Don't speak so loudly…you might waken them…"

Rydia ignored him and her eyes lit up as she pointed toward the gaping mouth of the cave.

"Look!"

She scrambled to her feet.

"It stopped snowing!"

Rosa stirred slightly at the little girl's outburst…Edward groaned both at Rydia's unconcern for those sleeping and at the reaction of his body when he tried to stand…he could hardly feel his feet, but Rydia snatched his hand to steady him. His toes and fingers tingled as the blood slowly crept into them and the numbness washed away.

"Hey Rosa!"

Rydia's voice echoed through the cave and the prince turned around to see Rosa waving to the little girl. Rydia grinned broadly then dashed toward the snow outside.

"Good morning Edward --" Rosa said softly, trying not to wake Cecil. Her gaze shifted to the entrance of the cave.

"Has it stopped snowing?"

"Yeah!"

Rydia scurried into the blanket of snow on the ground. She leaped into a mound and the white snow billowed around her.

"WHEEEE!"

"Rydia!"

Edward followed her in concern.

"You will be soaking wet!"

She wallowed happily in the snow with no regard to his words…she was shivering nevertheless…

"I'm okay!"

With a sigh Edward turned around and noticed that Cecil was awake at last…Rosa sat close to him, stroking his damp hair, and they talked in low voices. Edward started to speak but he felt something cold and wet press against his cheek and he jerked his face aside, only to see Rydia giggling childishly behind him.

"Rydia, why must you --"

"Cecil! Rosa!"

The little girl ignored Edward and bounded toward the two figures resting on the ground.

"Let's go!"

She pointed frantically to the white snow sparkling in the sunlight.

"It stopped snowing!"

Rydia scooped her cloak and bow and arrows into her little hands. Cecil climbed to his feet hastily…watching her leave…it really has stopped snowing, he noticed…

"We should make up for lost time today…"

Cecil snatched his dark horned helmet from the ground and nodded.

"Hurry up slowpokes!"

Rydia dashed into the sun and its rays glowed in her hair…Edward sighed wearily and glanced at Rosa.

"Why can't we find the energy that she has?"

Rosa smiled regretfully.

"I think it's just one of the blessings of childhood…"

"Blessing..?"

Edward trudged across the snow behind the others…

"--It is wearing me out..."

They continued through the mountain path for hours it seemed, hindered only by the occasional snow showers from above…Once Rydia stopped, insisting that she felt like they were being watched…everyone scanned the cliffs uneasily…Cecil took her warning quite seriously because he recalled the situation in the ant lion's cave…It was difficult to see high in the mountains due to the glare of the sunlight on the white snow, so Cecil declared that they should continue…it wouldn't help if they waited to see something…They did continue, a bit reluctantly...each of them glancing left and right for any sign of movement…As soon as they relaxed again, Rydia's shrill voice startled them.

"Cecil!"

He whirled around to see the little girl pointing high upon the cliffs.

"Look!"

Cecil squinted into the sun.

"Where?"

Rydia jumped to his side.

"There!"

She indicated the snowy cliffs breathlessly...

"I saw something up there!"

The prince of Damcyan stepped toward them, straining to see in the bright sun.

"I don't see any --"

"Shh!" Cecil hissed, dropping into the snow quickly.

"Everybody down!"

No one asked questions…they instantly ducked down beside the Knight. Rosa looked at Cecil nervously.

"What is it?"

Cecil squinted hard toward the cliffs…he said nothing…Edward leaned closer…

"Maybe it was --"

"…Oh my God…"

Cecil stood and stared in horror toward the snowy cliffs.

"What?" Rosa asked in a fear-strained voice…Rydia and Edward gazed at Cecil through the bright sunlight…Cecil turned to them sheepishly.

"They're following us…"

Edward leaped to his feet, staring into the distance intently.

"Who?"

Rydia stood beside him looking very worried. Cecil offeredno further explanation…he took Rosa's hand quickly…

"They're following us…We have to leave now!"

Edward spun around.

"What is going on?"

"Run!"

Cecil gestured for them to follow him as he pounded through the snow, his boots crunching heavily on the frozen ground. Rosa was close behind…

"Edward!"

Rydia wouldn't move until the prince did, and she tugged on his hand to get him to follow the others.

"Come on!"

He ran a few steps with her before wrestling his hand free and looking back.

"I still cannot --"

His voice trailed off as he finally glimpsed what had frightened Cecil…

Several lithe bodies leaped nimbly down the edges of the cliffs…At each step snow showered down, making small mounds…The sunlight sparkled on the shiny white skin of the quick-moving figures and the orange rays of sun twisted and winded their way through the jagged scales…long muscular tails dragged behind the figures and occasionally the sunlight flashed from the blades of the swords gripped in the skinny fingers…

As the word 'urodelae' burst into Edward's sub-conscience, he spun around and fled with the others…

He heard the clanging of Cecil's sword against his armor then he heard Cecil's voice shouting breathlessly:

"We should…be able…to lose them…somewhere…"

Drawing a breath was nearly impossible in the cold air.

"…They might…not have…seen us!"

Edward's throat burned from the cold air and his chest was hot but he forced himself to continue running...He tripped once and sprawled to the ground but he regained his footing when he imagined that the ruthless creatures were directly behind him…His harp smacked against his back with each step but he overlooked it and ran…

When he at last looked up and drew a deep breath, he noticed with surprise and dismay that the ground ahead of them seemed to have disappeared…He groaned loudly and crashed to the ground beside Rydia…Cecil stood nearby, breathing hard…

"Dammit!" he swore furiously and spun around.

"What's…wrong?" Edward gasped as he laid in the snow…Rosa swept her arm in front of them.

"The end of the road…?"

Edward gaped at her and rolled onto his back.

"No…"

Rosa stared into the ravine below them…it was a long way down…The ground was cloaked in a thick layer of snow…the cliffs jutting out were also covered in snow…and every now and then it would sprinkle to the valley below…

"There must...be…another way!" Edward finally climbed to his feet…Cecil shook his head…

"We couldn't make it in time…."

He stared behind them, waiting for any sign of the urodelae…Rosa bowed her head solemnly…

"We might have to make our stand here…"

She approached Cecil, who had his jaw set in determination…she was probably right…they would have to make a stand…

"Over here!"

Rydia's voice drifted into the somber silence and all of them turned toward the little girl…she was motioning for them and Cecil immediately saw what she was talking about…

By some strange act of nature a long bridge of solid ice had formed, linking two of the mountain ledges together…A thick layer of snow covered it and icicles dangled beneath…Cecil hurried toward Rydia…

"It's an ice bridge!" the little girl declared then promptly stepped onto it. Cecil snatched her off hastily.

"Be careful! We don't know if it's safe!"

She glared at him but heeded his warning. Edward came behind them, surveying the bridge.

"It's our only chance!"

"Edward's right!"

Rosa peered at the bridge then cast an apprehensive glance back.

"Whoever's following us isn't far behind!"

Cecil gazed into the chasm below…so this is it, he thought…a leap of faith he realized with a shake of his head.

"As soon as we reach the center it's going to collapse and God knows what we'll do then…"

Rosa put her hand on Cecil's arm.

"All we can do is pray that we can make it…"

"--Or pray that we can even get started…" Edward added in a quivering voice…

…The sound of footsteps drew closer…

Despite the cold Cecil was sweating beneath his armor.

"It's settled then…"

He hardly finished his remark before a shout rose from behind them…several urodelae appeared from the mounds of snow…they paused for a moment, leering at the humans upon the cliff…reptile eyes met human eyes…

The creatures started forward again…

Cecil snatched his sword from its sheath and leaped onto the icy bridge…it cracked once and he nearly slipped and tumbled to the valley below but somehow he regained his footing…

"Come on!"

The ice snapped again but Rosa leaped behind him, skidding dangerously for a moment then managing to take quick careful steps behind the knight…

The prince of Damcyan gaped at the hideous creatures approaching…sneers crossed their scaly faces…cruel curved swords were clutched in their hands…Edward heard a swift movement next to him and he looked in horror when he saw Rydia, her bow gripped in her hand…she was reaching for an arrow from the quiver on her back…

"Oh good God!"

Edward lunged at Rydia and heaved her into the air by her waist.

"Come on!"

He half-carried, half-dragged the little girl onto the bridge…As he stepped further onto the bridge, he slid on the slick surface, drifting precariously to the edge…he sucked in a breath and leaned back, listening to the ice snap and pop as his weight shifted…behind them came the shouts of the urodelae…

"Edward!"

Rydia wriggled from Edward's arms and plopped on the ice. It snapped loudly again, and Edward froze, his knees wobbling so violently that he almost fell from the bridge…Rydia leaped to her feet and ran dangerously fast toward Rosa…

"Rydia!" Edward pleaded, starting forward too quickly…the bridge cracked but Edward ignored it…

"You are --"

CRRRACK!!

Edward's heart stopped as he felt the bridge sink several inches…From the corner of his eye he glimpsed the creatures…they scuttled across the bridge behind him…

The prince dashed across the bridge even faster than before…possibly faster than Rydia…the ice cracked and snapped repeatedly causing Edward to sweat so much that he imagined he would freeze to death before he reached the opposite side…

"Edward!"

Cecil shouted urgently from the other side…

"Hurry!"

Rosa stood beside him, her hands clasped anxiously…

Dear God, don't you see I'm trying to hurry..? He slipped and fell heavily…The ice bridge crackled and sank again…chips of ice sparkled in the sun as they showered to the ravine below…Edward was on his feet instantly, taking quick steps across…the urodelae pounded behind him, the ice snapped at each step…at one point an entire section of the bridge shattered, forcing Edward to side-step, which caused him to lose balance again and crash face-first onto the bridge…the whole bridge seemed to shudder…and Edward prayed that it would hold out for just a few seconds longer…dear God just a bit longer and I'll be across…He climbed to his feet slowly this time and saw Rydia scurrying ahead of him….her footsteps were imprinted in the thin layer of snow so Edward stared at the bridge to follow them…When Rydia was a few yards from Cecil and Rosa, the ice bridge shattered beneath one of her feet and she shrieked in surprise as her leg fell through…the whole bridge snapped again…Edward teetered to the edge…The world around him seemed to whirl round and round and when it finally stopped he gazed at Rydia dizzily…she was screaming and thrashing frantically but Cecil was there, reaching for her hand…

"Rydia! Grab my hand!"

Edward distinctly heard Cecil's command as he extended his hand to the frightened little girl. Edward hoped they would at least save Rydia if the bridge collapsed…he didn't mind falling himself…well…right now he didn't but when he was actually doing it he probably would mind very much…He stood gasping for breath for a few seconds…watching as Cecil finally clutched Rydia's hand, sending snow showering into the canyon below; Edward sighed with relief when Rydia was dragged to safety…

"Edward!"

Now Cecil is screaming at me Edward realized…the knight motioned wildly for Edward to hurry…

"Get over here for God's sake!"

Edward took a few cautious steps toward them…the ice creaked and groaned beneath him…the urodelae were still there…not making matters any better…When Edward was a few feet from Cecil, he spun around and stared in horror at the creatures charging toward them…He was numb from the cold…and the fear…as he noticed how many of them were there…six of the creatures were on the bridge…six stood on the opposite ledge…

One of the urodelae slowed its pace…the forked tongue dangled from its mouth...a cruel curved sword was gripped in its hand…It strode toward Edward menacingly…sunlight sparkled on its white scales…the long muscular tail whipped back and forth…

"Die, human!" it snarled in a harsh voice. Its emerald eyes glinted brightly. It extended its clawed forefinger at Edward.

"Even if you make it across the bridge you'll die on the other side!"

It started toward the prince again…Edward was paralyzed…he trembled as he saw several more of the creatures step onto the icy bridge…don't they know it's not a good idea at all..? The bridge snapped constantly…it sank again…shards of ice sprinkled down to the ravine…eight urodelae perched on the bridge, which snapped at each footstep they took…Edward was only a few feet from Cecil but he couldn't tear his eyes from the scaly sneering faces…one was so close that Edward could have reached a hand out and touched its face if he dared…

"Edward!"

Cecil's voice exploded in Edward's ear, startling him from his numbness…

"Turn around and RUN!"

The sword hovering near Edward's face raised threateningly…as it remained in air for a split second, Edward backed away…the bridge cracked loudly and shifted beneath his weight…The creature glanced down…its eyes opened wide…

"What the --"

Its final word as cut off by a startled shout…

The entire ice bridge shattered…

The creature's arms flew up in panic to grab something…nothing was there…the other urodelae swore as the ground fell beneath their feet…one setting its foot upon the bridge snatched it away the instant before the ice disappeared…the creatures on the bridge shrieked and flailed helplessly as they plunged toward the canyon below…

The instant the bridge shattered, Edward was on his way toward Cecil…the ground suddenly wasn't there any more…and he uttered a surprised cry, clutching one jagged edge of the bridge remaining…

"Edward!" Rosa screamed as the prince started to fall…Edward gasped weakly as he felt the splintered edges of the ice bridge bite into his palms…sweat stood out on his brow…what am I doing he thought…soon my arms will tire and then I shall…

"Edward!"

Cecil's voice broke into his thoughts.

"Hold on!"

Edward dangled over the ravine, miles away…I am he mentally screamed…his legs swayed back and forth…He gritted his teeth as the sharp ice dug into his hands but something wouldn't let him release his grip…He squeezed his eyes shut so he would not have to look down…

"Edward!"

Cecil was there again…his voice shouted urgently…

"Don't let go!"

Edward gasped and managed to squint his eyes…he saw Cecil kneeling directly in front of him…Rosa and Rydia were there too, looking on anxiously…Cecil fell down flat on his stomach and crawled onto the remainder of the ice bridge…

"I'm going to grab your arm Edward!"

He extended his hand toward the prince.

"Cecil!"

Edward stared at him wide-eyed…

"Grab my hand!"

Edward gritted his teeth.

"I c-can't let go!"

Cecil nodded furiously.

"Yes you can!"

His hand was beside Edward's…Edward gripped the icy ledge…his hands were numb…his whole body was numb…

"I c-can't!"

"Do it!"

Cecil extended his arm even closer…Edward's heart pounded heavily in his chest…all he could think about was falling…are you afraid of heights Edward? No I am afraid of falling…he would release his grip and tumble toward the dark canyon below…as he fell he would remember his mother his father Damcyan his friends…he would remember Anna…tears welled in his eyes as he thought of her…he sniffed…a tear slipped down his face…it was so warm…how can it be warm when I am so cold? Anna I'm sorry…

"Edward! Grab my hand!"

At last Edward released his grip and reached frantically for Cecil's hand...his fingers closed around Cecil's wrist and the knight began dragging Edward toward the ledge…solid ground…the icy ledge crackled for a few heart-stopping seconds but Cecil ignored it as he strained to pull Edward to safety…Just as Edward's waist touched the edge of the bridge, it snapped and sank…

Startled, Cecil released his grip on Edward's hand…and the prince was tumbling down...he was really falling this time…

Suddenly his head snapped back viciously, and he was dangling over the canyon…

"Edward!"

Cecil's agonized shout drifted over the ledge…

Edward's breath came in short gasps…his chest hurt…it felt constricted…my God…his body swung left and right…the icy ledge creaked each time…when he finally summoned the courage to open his eyes, he realized that he was dangling by the leather strap of his harp…when he fell the second time it had wrapped over a protrusion from the remaining ice bridge…He didn't know if he felt relief or regret…it would slip any moment…he knew it…then he would fall down down toward the chasm…

"Edward!"

Rydia's squeal shocked him almost as much as his present situation…he was too scared to breathe…he wished his heart would cease beating because each heartbeat brought him closer to falling…

Snow showered over him as Cecil stepped closer…

"Edward!"

The section of ice shuddered dangerously but it didn't discourage Cecil.

"Hold on, man!"

He inched closer…

"I'm coming!"

Edward thrashed back and forth…

"Leave me!" he gasped weakly. "--You should not die for my s-sake!"

He felt himself slipping…

"Leave you?!"

Cecil's voice was very close…

"I won't leave you!!"

He reached out and clutched Edward's wrist…The ice popped loudly and shifted...Edward gasped in horror…Cecil retained his grip on Edward's arm but it began to slip between his fingers…

"Cecil…" Edward pleaded breathlessly. "It's no use!"

Cecil yanked Edward toward him and the ice ledge creaked again…lurching downward until it was nearly vertical…Cecil lost his footing and slipped toward the cliff…despite the cold, sweat poured down his forehead…

"Cecil!" Rosa cried, starting toward him…He shook his head…

"I'm…fine!"

After a few heart stopping moments he shifted his weight and began to drag Edward slowly up the ledge again…Edward's arm felt as if it would tear from the socket…snow poured into his hair and down into his face and eyes…

"I c-can't hold on!"

His wrist slipped from Cecil's fingers…the ice snapped again…

"Yes you can!" Cecil roared, snatching Edward's wrist with both hands and heaving him upon the rocky cliff. The remaining ice bridge shuddered and broke, showering the ravine below with shards of ice…

Edward watched it collapse…he toppled onto his side in the snow…his breathing was labored…he could not speak through the gasps…Rosa ran to his side in alarm….Rydia also dashed to his side as he wearily sat up…

"Edward!"

The little girl grabbed his hand urgently…

"I thought you fell off the bridge!"

So did I, he thought nearly laughing with relief…He stared at the ravaged ice bridge in disbelief…He glanced at Cecil who shook his head warily…At last Edward regained his breath enough to speak:

"Well…at least we are on this side…and not that one…"

No one could have agreed more.