Arrival

Eva's boots crunched on the rocky ground as she hiked up the narrow mountain path. The thin air was freezing cold and her panting breaths created little white clouds in front of her face. She had been walking uphill for hours, she was tired and her legs ached.

She had finally reached the top of the pass and as she rounded a bend in the path, she caught sight of the small village for the first time. It nestled in a narrow valley, surrounded by craggy mountains, and smoke rose from the chimneys of the stone huts. It looked as peaceful and tranquil as a painting.

Eva felt a pang of excitement as she realized that this was to be her new home. She had been looking for a place to escape her past, and this secluded village seemed like the perfect getaway. She hoped that the villagers would be friendly and welcoming. With her destination in mind and the prospect of a hot meal in a warm room, she regained her strength and set off at a brisk pace.

As she descended into the valley, Eva realized that the hidden village was smaller than she had expected. There were only five inhabited houses and a few outbuildings. She wondered how the villagers lived here on their own, far from any roads.

The closer she got to the settlement, the more she realized how much the reality differed from her romantic idea. The towering, snow-covered mountain peaks all around with their wooded flanks were less majestic than she had imagined. They towered menacingly over the village and shrouded the valley in deep shadows. The traditional houses, built of quarry stone and covered with slate, were huddled close together as if they were seeking mutual protection nearby. Two leashed dogs had caught her scent and were barking in alarm.

Eva's thoughts were interrupted by the deep voice of a man that suddenly spoke at her back. She turned around as quickly as she could and saw an old man with a long white beard and piercing blue eyes standing on a nearby rock. She didn't understand how he could appear behind her so suddenly and unnoticed. He stared down at her intensely from above.

“Welcome to our village. Are you traveling alone? If you are, then you underestimate the dangers that lurk in these mountains.”

Eva felt goose bumps as she heard the man's warning but soon regained her composure and took a closer look at him. Despite his obvious age, he was an imposing figure. Although she couldn't judge exactly because of his elevated position, Eva thought he must tower over her by at least a head. His weather-beaten face was criss-crossed with deep wrinkles and framed by a bushy white beard. His eyes shone a piercing blue and betrayed decades of life experience, but also hinted at toughness and severity. His whole demeanor radiated a natural authority.

He wore simple but robust clothing consisting of coarse leather shoes, long, sturdy woollen trousers reinforced with leather, a natural-colored linen shirt and a loden jacket. A sheep's wool hat protected his head from the sun and cold. He held a massive knotted stick in his large, strong hands with rough fingernails that bore witness to his daily hard work.

“Thank you,” she replied carefully. "My name's Eva. I actually wandered here alone, but thank you for the warning. Do you think I could find a place to stay here?”

The old man nodded slowly. “I am Julius, the village elder. You might find that this village is not the refuge you are looking for, Eva. The mountains themselves decide whether they meet our expectations and wishes.”

His voice sounded deep and raspy and he spoke slowly and deliberately. Although he must be a simple highland farmer, he possessed the respectful aura of a man who had spent his entire life in the wild and unpredictable nature of the mountains, gaining knowledge and wisdom that was second to none.

Eva felt a slight unease at Julius' words, but she pushed it aside. She was determined to build a new life for herself, no matter what challenges awaited her.