Chapter V, Reading 5

As they worked their way up the slope, the trees around them thinned in number as they climbed in elevation. The few trees, which managed to hang on to existence were gnarled and twisted into fantastic shapes. Only the hardiest plants and animals could survive here.
Flindra looked up the mountain and couldn't imagine where the path led. The way up and over the mountain appeared to be blocked by a continuous cliff, which loomed above her. However, she could feel the warmth of the orb in her pocket, which meant she was moving in the correct direction. She remembered King Meldh's words in her dream and trusted the crystal orb to lead her safely to Kewero.
After several hours of struggling up the trail, they reached the base of the cliff. Now she could see the path led to an entrance of a narrow pass. A massive boulder nearly the size of a house stood in front of the entrance, which obscured the view of the pass from the trail below.
This defile sliced through the ridge and led to the top of the mountain. The slopes on either side of the trail rose steeply from the path and soon merged into rocky cliffs above. The steep cliffs rained rocks down the slope nearly blocking the trail in several places.
Flindra slackened her hold on the reins to make it easier for Deru to carefully pick his way along the talus-choked path. The rocks protruding above the drifted snow were coated with an ice crust for this pass lay within the perpetual shadows cast by the towering cliffs. The horse struggled with the uneven and slippery footing and stumbled several times.
"This isn't working," Flindra whispered and reined him to a stop. She glided from the saddle and gathered the reins in her hand. She slipped around him and began leading him up the treacherous trail to spare herself a potentially bone crushing fall. She was able to step around or over the worst of the icy spots and Deru was able to keep to his feet without her weight on his back.
While she walked, she concentrated on intensifying Rigga's power shield. There was something gloomy or somehow sinister about the shadowed pathway and she struggled to keep fear from edging into her thoughts.
"Guide my steps, dear Lord," she whispered and kept the knowledge of His presence close to her heart to leave no room for fear.