Snow billowed about Gloria. The wind bit into her face and pulled at her hair, but she gripped Elias tight and followed the trail Seth had blazed for her. Up ahead, Gloria saw Seth struggling through the snow. The blizzard was becoming difficult even for him to travel through.

On her back, Gloria heard Elias groan in pain. Gloria adjusted him and fretted. She had done the best she could with the time she had. We need shelter! Gloria worried. But where? She wondered. Elias’s weight began to sag on her. I don’t know how much further I can go. Gloria thought.

Gloria scanned the horizon. The blizzard was becoming so violent it was getting harder to see, but she was able to spy a few groves of trees. Maybe one of those would do the trick? She wondered.

Over the wind, Gloria heard her name be called. She saw Seth stop and look back – he was waiting for her. Gloria hurried to catch up. “What do you see?” She panted when she got close enough.

“The storm’s too dangerous for you to travel in!” Seth hollered, “we need to find shelter!” he pointed ahead. “I was looking at that grove of trees over there. It looks like we’ll get some decent wind breakage over there. What do you think?”

Gloria looked over and was able to spy a thicket of trees not too far away. She nodded. “That looks good!” she cried back over the wind. “Let’s go!”

Seth waded through the snow, trying to push the snow out of the way. Gloria followed close behind and panted. Seth turned back, “Are you-?”

Gloria glared at him. “I will make it!” she declared.

Seth looked worried. He opened his mouth, then changed his mind and turned back to continue forging a path towards the thicket.

Gloria followed him. Come on Gloria! she grunted. Just a little further!

Just before the thicket, a gust of wind barreled into Gloria. She stumbled and fell over. Elias toppled off her back and in the snow. I can’t stop here! She thought. I can’t leave him! Gloria struggled to her feet and began to pull Elias onto her back again.

Gloria heard Seth call her name. She looked up and saw Seth a distance away hurrying back to her. “Are you alright?” he called.

Gloria nodded. “I’m fine!” she called back. Seth slowed to a stop when he got close. “I’m just…” Gloria shivered, “tired.”

Seth stood next to her and tried to block the wind. “Come on, we’re nearly there!” Gloria hobbled alongside Seth. She was thankful for the break from the wind.

Gloria and Seth fought through the wind and snow until they entered the thicket. The trees blocked the worst of the wind. Some were tightly compact, and others gave each other breathing room. Gloria looked around to find a suitable place to hunker down.

Seth pointed to two trunks that had fallen over and leaned on another. “There!” he cried. “That’s where we’ll build shelter.”

“Are you sure?” Gloria shouted. “It doesn’t look very warm.”

Seth tapped his head. “I’ve got an idea! You put Elias down and I’ll get it started.”

Gloria nodded and dug out some snow from underneath the trees while Seth ran deeper into the thicket. She laid Elias down and tucked Seth’s coat around him. Elias shuddered and groaned. “Father…Verdas…” he moaned and curled into Seth’s coat.

Gloria worriedly brushed the boy’s dampened hair from his forehead. “It’s alright, Elias,” she soothed, “It’ll all be alright.”

Where’s Seth? Gloria wondered. She turned back and saw Seth dragging several thick long branch limbs under his arm. He dumped them with a pile of other limbs.

Gloria stared wide-eyed. Did he get all those with one arm? Gloria had to admit, she was rather impressed.

Seth started to pick up one of the limbs. He struggled to lift it higher, and the branch threatened to drop out of his arm.

“Let me get that,” Gloria shouted over the wind. She hurried over, grabbed the branch, and started to raise it up. Once it was in the air, Seth grabbed the branch and helped her lift it.

“Help me lay it on the tree trunks,” Seth directed. Gloria listened and together, they gently laid it on the tree trunks. Suddenly, Gloria knew what Seth’s plan was – he was building a lean-to.

Gloria and Seth repeated the process and worked together until the lean-to was finished. Gloria thought it looked more like a misshapen cabin than a lean-to. Regardless, she was pleased. Shelter…that’ll keep us warm, she thought wiping freezing sweat from her brow.

“Perfect,” Seth said, wincing. He cradled his arm. “Now get inside. I’m going to grab some more wood for a fire. We don’t have enough of the wood we got from William to last us much longer.”

Gloria shivered and looked back at him. “No, let me,” she protested. “You’ve already done so much with that arm by dragging over those logs.”

Seth shook his head and pointed to the lean-to. “No. I can withstand the cold; you can’t. Please, get inside – I’ve got it.” Gloria was going to argue, but Seth’s insistent eyes made her hesitate. His face softened, then he spoke again. “If I need help, I’ll call. I promise!”

Gloria grimaced but listened to Seth. She stepped inside the lean-too. The ground was snow-free except for a little snow that drifted down from a hole in the top the lean-too to act as a chimney.

Gloria found a thick stick and used it to fight the frozen ground and chisel out a small hole for a fire. Gloria pulled out a few pieces of wood from one of the bags and set them in the hole. Then she pulled out the flint and steel again and tried starting the fire.

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Gloria could barely hear the crunching sound of Seth’s boots returning to the lean to. She peered out the entrance and could see Seth carefully duck his head and enter the lean-to with a bundle of sticks. He carefully dropped the pile by the door, brushed his hands off, then turned back and looked down at Gloria trying to start the fire.

“May I?” he asked.

Gloria smiled. “You don’t have to,” she said striking the flint and steel together, a few sparks flashed.

“But I would like to,” Seth answered, then he drew sigil in the air. Gloria looked up at Seth. “Pars dolo,” he whispered, and the campfire sprang to life.

Gloria put the flint and steel away. “You’re going to spoil me, you know.”

Seth smiled, “maybe that’s a good thing?” Gloria looked away and bit her lip. This man was being impossible tonight!

Seth came around the fire by Gloria. He looked around him and looked a bit unsure of himself. Then he began to slowly lean towards the ground.

“Need a hand?” Gloria asked. A smile played across Seth’s face, and he laughed. The joke caught up to Gloria and she groaned. “You know what I mean!”

“Yes, I would like some help.” Seth said still grinning, then he looked at the ground again. “I’m not sure I can get down without falling on my shoulder.”

“Let me get the bedrolls first,” Gloria rose and grabbed one of the bedrolls. “I don’t think you want to sit on the dirt.”

“Not really,” he laughed and reached his hand out to take the bedroll from Gloria.

She gripped the bedroll. “What are you doing?”

“Helping?”

Gloria shook her head. “You just collected the firewood and built a lean-to. Rest your arm! I will set up the bedrolls.” Seth began to protest, when Gloria snapped the bedroll open; it floated in the air for a moment before landing perfectly on the ground. Seth blinked and stared at the bedroll in awe.

Gloria giggled a bit at his face, then reached her hands out and helped Seth sit down. As soon as he sat down, Seth groaned and let out an exhausted sigh. “Thank you,” he said, smiling up at Gloria.

Gloria felt a little blush warm her cheeks. “You’re welcome,” she answered, before quickly turning away to set up the rest of the bedrolls.

She felt Seth’s watchful eyes as she tucked Elias into his bedroll. She tried to ignore his gaze as she looked over Elias’s wounds. The worst had been taken care of. The rest I’ll need to heal tomorrow. Gloria thought, checking the boy’s forehead for any fevers. Seth needs help now.

A sudden burst of wind rattled through the opening. Gloria shivered and felt Elias curl into the bedroll. “We need a door,” Gloria said moving towards the entrance.

“Want me to grab more branches?” Seth offered.

Gloria shook her head. “No! Good Crim! You’ve done enough with that arm! Rest!” She looked around the lean-to, then her eyes landed on her bag. “I’ve got an idea!” Gloria dug through her bag until she pulled out a dress and began tucking it in-between limbs to make a make-shift door.

“Gloria,” Seth sighed. “You can’t keep using your dresses to solve problems.”

“I’ve got one on,” Gloria answered, tucking in the dress a few more places. “If we die from frostbite, it won’t matter what we’re wearing.” The dress fluttered in the opening but stayed mostly shut. Gloria turned back and shrugged, “and besides it’s not like anyone’s going to care what I wear.”

Seth looked and mumbled something. Gloria looked up at him as she made her way back. “Did you say something?”

Seth’s face flushed and he looked away into the fire. “Nothing important,” he said quickly. Then he pointed to his shoulder. “Since we’re safe now, a-are you willing to heal my shoulder?”

Gloria smiled, she sensed he was trying to change the subject. She came around the fire and sat down next to him. “Of course,” she answered, “give me your arm.” Seth gingerly gave Gloria his arm. He winced when she touched his arm.

Gloria began to write glowing sigils around his arm. She took a deep breath and reached out. Mend for me…she thought, calling out to Seth’s body. Flesh, bone, and blood…Show me where you belong. A golden glow began to form around her hands and Seth’s arm.

Show me the path, she whispered to Seth’s bones, and I’ll guide you back. She felt Seth’s bones ache, and his muscles plead for help. She soothed their cries, then slowly and gently, she followed their path, and guided bone and muscle back to their proper place.

The glow from her magic lit up Seth’s face. She tried not to think about how close he was. She heard him open his mouth to say something, then he hesitated and looked away.

“What’s on your mind?” Gloria asked, focusing her energy on his arm.

Seth winced a little. “Earlier you said your magic was-” Seth’s shoulder snapped back into place, he sucked in his breath and grunted in pain.

Gloria looked up and grimaced. “Sorry!” she apologized. “I should’ve warned you! Are you alright?” Seth grunted again and nodded.

“Sorry…” Gloria apologized again.

“It’s fine…” Seth gritted out before finally breathing out the pain.

Gloria hesitated. “Do…do you want me to keep going?”

Seth nodded. “Yeah, I’ll be fine.”

Gloria grimaced but started again. “This will heal your bite wounds,” she said writing another set of sigils around Seth’s arm. She felt her energy draining. Not until I’m finished! she thought, trying to muster up her strength. Mend for me…please mend.

“So,” Seth started again, unwilling to be deterred, “Your magic…it’s different, isn’t it?” Gloria tensed but kept her focus on Seth’s arm. “Can you tell me why?”

Anxiety pounded in her veins, and she swallowed. “It just is,” she answered defensively and returned her focus to his arm.

Seth looked as though he was going to push, then he sighed. “Alright then…how about this? Tell me something about yourself.” Gloria peeked up at him and raised an eyebrow.

“I want to know more about you.” Seth answered. “I mean, we’re friends, aren’t we? Friends know things about each other.”

“What else is there to know about me?” Gloria replied, still feeling defensive.

“You know what I mean,” he chastised. Gloria bristled and started to look up, but Seth sighed and added gently, “It can be anything. You let me get away with telling you about fishing. Tell me something that you loved about home. Surely there was something?”

Gloria focused on the last puncture wound and fought back the fatigue that was quickly threatening to claim her. “Something I loved about home…” she mumbled.

The wound closed and she sat back to think. Horrible memories flooded her mind as she tried to find something she loved. Then a memory came to her, and she smiled.

“The grass,” she finally answered. “I loved the grass. Sometimes I would have just enough time after my errands to lay in the plains and stare up at the blue sky. It was one of the few places I could find peace.” She looked up at Seth who listened intently.

“I loved to practice my plant magic there,” Gloria continued; the memory played before her eyes. “It was the only form of magic that Father and Shareen didn’t abuse because they didn’t know. Sometimes I would weave sunshades over myself and take a small nap.” Gloria closed her eyes and pinched the bridge of her nose, trying to stay awake. “But then I would get punished for staying out too long,” she sighed. “But those summer naps were worth it.”

Weariness sagged on her shoulders, and Gloria couldn’t find the strength to open her eyes. She felt herself drooping until her head leaned on Seth’s arm. She was vaguely aware of his arm tensing.

“I should…move…” Gloria groaned wearily tried to lift her head when she faintly heard Seth’s voice.

“You don’t have to move,” he said, his voice shaking a bit.

Thank goodness, Gloria thought, sinking her head back. She was so tired, she just wanted to sleep now.

Just before sleep claimed her, Gloria could hear the howling wind trying to beat against the lean-to. Gloria smiled; it didn’t matter to her. Here she was safe and warm. Gloria sighed. In this moment, she felt happy – Incredibly happy.