Chapter 2

           TrissMerigoldblewintoherfrozenhands,wriggledherfingersandmurmuredamagicformula.Herhorse,agelding,immediatelyreactedtothespell,snortingandturningitshead,lookingattheenchantresswitheyesmadewaterybythecoldandwind.

           "You’vegottwooptions,oldthing,"saidTriss,pullingonhergloves."EitheryougetusedtomagicorIsellyoutosomepeasantstopullaplough."

           Thegeldingprickedupitsears,snortedvapourthroughitsnostrilsandobedientlystarteddownthewoodedmountainside.Themagicianleanedoverinthesaddle,avoidingbeinglashedbythefrostybranches.

           Themagicworkedquickly;shestoppedfeelingthestingofcoldinherelbowsandonherneck,andtheunpleasantsensationofcoldwhichhadmadeherhunchhershouldersanddrawherheadindisappeared.Thespell,warmingher,alsomuffledthehungerwhichhadbeeneatingatherforseveralhours.Trisscheeredup,madeherselfcomfortableinthesaddleand,withgreaterattentionthanbefore,startedtotakestockofhersurroundings.

           Eversinceshehadleftthebeatentrack,shehadbeenguidedbythegreyish-whitewallofmountainsandtheirsnow-cappedsummitswhichglistenedgoldinthoseraremomentswhenthesunpiercedtheclouds–usuallyinthemorningorjustbeforesunset.Nowthatshewasclosertothemountainchainshehadtotakegreatercare.ThelandaroundKaerMorhenwasfamousforitswildnessandinaccessibility,andthegapinthegranitewallthatwasavitallandmarkwasnoteasyforaninexperiencedeyetofind.