North

"I need to need to find my companions," Mora declared. "We shall take the North Road."

Gag sighed, but steeled himself. "You're the boss," he said, resigning himself to whatever lay ahead. And so, they took the road that led to the mountain pass.

For a time, the going was easy, and Mora began to wonder why Gag had been so worried. The the pass did become a little narrow, and the mountains themselves loomed closer and closer but it all seemed pleasant enough. The day was sunny and the air was cool.

After about an hour of walking in silence, Mora finally spoke out of boredom. "I fail to see you why you were so concerned about this path. We're making very good time and at this rate I should be able to reunite with my companions in just a few days."

"It's not this part of the path I was worried about," Gag replied. "We haven't even got into the mountain pass itself. No one goes this way, so the pass isn't well maintained. The footing can get treacherous and the weather can turn on you quick."

"Can the pass get us there or not?" Mora asked, beginning to feel irritated.

"The pass does lead where you want to go," Gag replied, matter of factly.

"Then what would you have me do?!," she snapped at him

She had half expected him to to fold or cower. Not many men could keep a straight face against even the first hint of her anger. But Gag surprised her.

"I would have you do whatever you want," Gag replied flatly. "Like I said, this is your expedition. I'm just a guide. You tell me where you want to go, and I'll do my best to get you there. No more, no less. I know you have your goals, but I can tell you that the path doesn't care about them. The mountains have no concern with your honor. The weather is indifferent to the love you have for your friends. This is the path you chose, and we shall take it together. But the gods will decide our fate now, for good or for ill."

Mora opened her mouth to reply but couldn't find the words. She realized that Gag had found a very eloquent way to state that she had wanted to go this way and whatever happened from here on out was at least partially her fault.

They walked along in awkward silence for another 10 minutes before Mora swallowed hard and quietly said "Thank you for your help."

"You're welcome," Gag replied, equally as quiet.

Although he seemed calm on the outside, Gags heart was nearly pounding out of his chest. He couldn't believe he had talked like that to her. He also couldn't believe his head was still on his shoulders. This was turning into an interesting day indeed.

He would curse that thought sometime later when the path began to get rockier. The going got harder, and as they reached the mountains themselves the wind began to pick up. Their pace began to slow and they had to pick themselves over rocks and had caught themselves getting startled several times as the wind screamed through the past itself.

The bad feeling became more permeable as they both noticed dark clouds beginning to roll over the tops of the mountains.