Making her way through the blowing, drifting snow, the small fur-clad scout led her Nimblefoot goat along the road. She struggled to keep on the path as it kept disappearing in the drifts. ‘Well, Rascal, I jus’ migh’ miss Bree entirely if’n this keeps up. Can’ see nothin’, ‘tween the dark an’ the snow.’ She blew at the snow in a heavy sigh while the goat snuffed at her.
Trudging further, she found the side path leading off toward the north gate, and diverted that way. ‘Mebbe we waits f’ after the storm t’ see Marney. Don' wanna get lost lookin’ for ‘er place.’ Rascal simply snuffed at her again, of course, being but a goat.
As they neared the gate area and the lesser paths leading to the woods and cabins to the north, however, they also caught sight of another traveller, leaving town and headed for those northerly tracks. Peering ahead, Adriellyn thought the other figure looked familiar even through the haze. ‘Hullo!’
The other traveller tensed and quickly looked around suspiciously, gloved hands twitching toward the axe and dagger at her belt, ignoring the stowed bow protruding from under her cloak. ‘Hullo? Wait… Adri? With Rascal?’
The diminutive scout laughed. ‘Aye, Marney, it be us. You ‘eaded ‘ome?’
‘Yes! I need to see to Aster. I hadn't expected a storm like this when I left her.’ While she'd been answering, the two had closed the distance, and their voices were nearly conversational, despite the high winds.
‘A’igh’. Mebbe Rascal an’ ‘er can cozy up f’ warmth a bit? ‘less’n y’d rather we din’ visit jus’ now?’
‘If you do, you'll be stuck, and it's not like I really have room, as you well know. Owena and Leoffrith were just asking about you at the bakery, too.’
Adriellyn chortled, nodding. ‘Aye, we'd ‘ave to get a li’l too cozy f’ me to stay over. The bakery be almos’ near’s m’own place. Mmm….’
‘If you feel like making your way there, they seemed to be preparing for a good stay-in with some storytelling.’
‘A’igh’. Bes’ y’ gets ‘ome afore y’ can’ find it no more, then.’
‘Quite so. You be careful out here!’ The taller woman leaned in to hug her daughter, who returned the embrace.
‘I will, an’ you too!’
The scout turned south, toward the gate, leading Rascal along again, while Marnewyn resumed her northward progress.
