Let's visit Helga

You have heard of the Northern Crisis. Rorik was a man of considerable progeny. You do not remember how many sons he had, but you believe it was something over ten. Bad enough as is, at least politically, the Northern kingdoms have notoriously primitive laws in general, but their succession laws are perhaps the worst. When each king dies, any of his adult sons have equal claim to the throne, and it is tradition that they fight for their place. A quaint custom perhaps in a time when their "kingdoms" raised armies in the several hundreds and lone battles decided wars, but wholly out of place in your time. You decide that you shall bring law to the lands of Rorik's ancestors, and you will exact your reward for doing so.

The trip is expected to be long and arduous. Helga has fled the lands of her father, taking refuge in the castle of a distant relative, a count or whatever term they use for it. This count is located somewhere near the northern border of Confederation territory. Not exactly the opposite side of the world, but far to be sure, and cold to be even surer. You make sure that the servants pack all the warm clothes you have available and begin your journey with your most trusted friends and advisers.

The journey through more familiar lands goes well enough. The first week and a half are relatively uneventful. By the second week, you hit heavy snow. Your men have trouble finding the way, causing you to lose considerable time as you search for various guides to get you from one way-point to another. You would later think this period not so bad, however. In the middle of the third week, disaster strikes. A heavy snowstorm assaults your caravan in the middle of its route. You are far from any known towns and villages, nor have you seen an inn or other stop. Your drivers can barely see in the flurry of snow, and complain of frostbite. You are not sure what to do, until one of the men reports seeing a light in a distance. Unanimously, your groups decides to try to find shelter where the light is.