Ezer takes special care of Lyaria's feet and toes, gently cleaning the exposed flesh from the blisters that have burst and treating the ones that are about to, then directs them to the fire to remove any remaining moisture, after all, feet are essential for any traveler.

As for the cut that was slowly getting worse, Ezer can only change the bandages and apply the same medicine she was wearing before. He hoped that this would help heal that wound, but seeing the results so far, he knew that needed special treatments, treatments that he was not able to provide and would only find them returning to the village trusting in the hands of the old man who saved his life.

He puts the clothes back on her once was done, maybe it was his imagination, but Lyaria seems to relax after the care and sleeps with a calmer face.

Once finished with her, he takes off his boots and takes care of his own feet, noticing that he didn't get much rest that night. When the sun was high in the sky, he judges that the temperature is sufficient, he carries the still unconscious Lyaria on his back and walks again with the goal of going back to where they came from.

There were mountains, rivers, lakes, forests, rocks and of course the sound of some beast in the distance. Once out of the canyon, Ezer must focus on not only finding a way, but also avoiding any danger knowing how vulnerable he was having to protect her.

Although what worried him the most was the cold that was present all the time, this was something he expected when started the journey, but knowing it and feeling it were two totally different things. Ezer lived all his life in lands that were extremely cold to other people, but this was truly a penetrating cold that spared no one even if they wore the warmest clothes.

“It's still fall, but it's cold like one of the harshest winters. Now Ezer understood the true strength the people like Lyaria must possess to persevere in a place like this.

"Why do they live in a place like this?" Why don't they find a better one?” By asking himself these questions he immediately finds a possible answer for them. “No one would stay in an adverse place. You always want a better place and your case has to be the same.”

"What your family did to us?" Remembers Lyaria's words.

"I think I have an idea what could have happened, I'll ask her when she wakes up." He decides to end his train of thought and keep walking.

He estimated that would not take so long to return since this time he had the objective of returning directly, completely leaving aside the search for the flower, he decides to prioritize Lyaria's well-being without hesitation.

The road was mountainous, but not uncrossable, he doesn’t see any signs of the elven civilization of old. Ezer rested multiple times along the way because carrying a person on his back all day was exhausting. He did not want to reuse the technique of using a stretcher to transport her since it lacked the contact between the two and, therefore, the heat transmission that was so necessary in places like these.

Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

Lyaria wakes up on the second day for only a few moments, long enough to drink a warm tea and go back to sleep once the journey has resumed.

It wasn't the best, but at least her conscience showed for a few minutes, perhaps a sign of recovery.

Ezer evades beasts twice thanks to his experience, thus avoiding situations that could have doomed them. The weather was also a factor that supported and slow down them at the same time, the heavy snowfall hindered their progress, but kept the beasts in their caves trying to retain as much heat as they could without consuming their energies.

Also, unbeknownst to Ezer, it was a perfect season to cross those lands as many beasts migrated to warmer ground in search of food. This was a curse for the Inmerlan that was repeated year after year, the same happened with those who lived on the other side of the mountains further north, Ezer would soon discover that.

To his surprise, that night he detects an unwelcome guest at his outdoor camp. When the snow stopped falling and the flames were almost embers, small footsteps alert Ezer without allowing him to sleep once more. His heart doesn't calm down and neither does the hand holding his dagger, despite the fact that what was in front of him was nothing more than a small white fox that did not produce any sign of aggressiveness.

They both looked at each other for a few seconds so that later the little fox retraced his steps without haste or care. Ezer was quite the opposite, cold sweat ran down his back knowing that the beast from a few seconds ago exuded an intimidating aura, his small body did not contain the power that his eyes showed. Ezer didn't know how, but was sure he had a few minutes to get away from this place, from the territory of that fearsome beast.

That night was terribly long as they had to walk through the darkness under the moon and stars, although their efforts are rewarded on the third day when for the first time, Lyaria fully wakes up keeping her consciousness stable.

"Doesn't it tire you carrying me on your back all the time?" Ezer hears those words next to his ear overshadowing the sound of the strong wind.

"No, after so long I got used to it.” It was true, now he was able to walk longer with fewer breaks. Although this could change depending on the weather, which was almost always bad, and the amount of food he got.

“We should find a place to rest, the storm is getting stronger.”

“A little more, I want to cover more distance.” Ezer tightens his grip on Lyaria's thighs.

“But I'm cold.” Her words might seem selfish, but she used them knowing it was the only way Ezer would give himself a break.

“Okay, I'll start building a shelter.”

"I'll help with the fire. Don't worry, at least I can do it if I'm careful.” Both begin to work between the wind and the snow, finishing in just under an hour.

"Any improvements?" Ezer asks as he places rocks around the fire trying to keep the wind from blowing it out.

"No, it's a pretty big infection, I need better treatment than a handful of herbs and bandages. Although at least it's not too serious, my fingers still have a natural color.” She massages his leg inside the makeshift shelter made of dry branches and snow.

“That's good.” Ezer squeezes into what's left of the space.

“And your shoulder?"

“It doesn't bleed, even if I move, it just needs to finish healing.” He responds nonchalantly.

“Pff ... We look like two old men talking about their pains and old wounds.” Lyaria laughs and that gets louder as Ezer starts to laugh too.

Both continue laughing for a few seconds and when they finish, they realize how much was needed and how long it had been since they had a moment of joy.

“What are you thinking to do? Where will you go?” Lyaria throws out a sudden question to which Ezer had no exact answer.