Chapter Three, Reading # 36

The wind was growing stronger and there were now a few snowflakes being blown in from the north. The temperature was dropping precipitously.
Flindra knew she was in trouble. She looked at the orb again and saw that it was directing her in an easterly direction. Quickly reining Deru to the right, they started to the east. At least the wind was coming from the side and not straight into her face.
There was no trail here and Flindra had to guide Deru around fallen trees and boulders. Snow was starting to collect on the ground, hiding fallen branches and exposed roots. She had to go slowly to avoid a fall, which could injure Deru or herself. The only positive thing about the snow is that it would hide her passage from anyone who might be following.
She continued in this fashion for another hour. Deru's steps were lagging and his head was starting to hang. Ice was forming in the whiskers around his nostrils. Flindra was huddled in the saddle, staring at the crystal orb. Without warning, the crystal stopped glowing. She moved it from side to side without a change.
"There must some meaning to this," she muttered to herself.
Shielding her eyes from the blowing wind with her hands, Flindra looked around. At first, she saw nothing. Then she noticed that there was a dark area beyond the trees near a rock outcrop. It was too dark to be a shadow, besides the snow was masking the sun so there were no distinct shadows. She dismounted and led Deru over to the dark spot.
It was the entrance to a cave! The opening was narrow, but if she unsaddled Deru, she could get him in. She quickly hauled the saddle from his back and pulled him into the cave.