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It was so cold. It was way way too cold. Tressa shivered as her mind stayed stuck on those thoughts. She was used to the warmth of Rippletide and even though she was ready for a grand adventure around the world she could never get used to the Frostlands’ cold.The crisp air blew into the cave and sent another shiver down her spine.
“Come on, fire, come on,” Tressa pleaded for the fire to help warm her up but it seemed to be doing nothing. The young merchant rubbed her hands together and breathed slowly into them. She wished Therion hadn’t already fallen asleep so she could try and get him to use some of his fire magic to warm her up. But he was fast asleep and curled up by Alfyn who was working. Ever since he had discovered some new plants within this region he had been studying them to see if he could make any medicinal paste with them. No matter how many times they visited a region Alfyn always found a new plant to study.
Tressa wondered if she should pick Alfyn’s brain on whether he had any good tricks to warm up. She thought of going over there until something caught her eye. She took a closer look with the help of the fire’s dim light she noticed he was wearing a purple scarf. A smug smile tugged on Tressa’s lips. She couldn’t wait to use that information and put it to good use against a certain thief.
Her excited laugh quickly turned into a sneeze, however, making her whole body shake. She curled further into herself until she felt something drape over her shoulders.
“This should help,” Ophelia offered her usual gentle smile. Tressa looked at the white cloak draped around her shoulders then stared up in awe at her friend. Ophelia’s kindness really knew no bounds.
“Thanks but aren’t-” Tressa sneezed once more, cutting her question short.
“Oh no!” Ophelia knelt beside her. “We have to find a way to warm you up some more.”
“B-But what a-about you,” Tressa asked through chattering teeth.
“I’ll be fine. I’ll ask Olberic and Cyrus to gather us some more firewood. Give me a moment,” Ophelia quickly ran off towards where Olberic was standing guard. Tressa watched for a minute then tugged the cloak further around her when a gust of wind appeared. A yawn nearby drew her attention. Immediately Tressa’s eyes widened.
“Linde!” Tressa smiled. “Linde, come over here,” She motioned with her hands at the snow leopard who stared at her with disinterest. After a minute the beast rose to its feet and stretched before slowly moving forward.
“That’s right, a little more,” Tressa nodded with a grin. She kept calling for Linde until she noticed where the snow leopard was going. Without a second thought, Linde moved toward where H’annit and Primrose were soundly sleeping. The snow leopard brushed her nose against the dancer’s arm forcing it up so she could rest beside her.
“Not fair! That’s so not cool, Linde!” Tressa pouted then stuck out her tongue.
Primrose mumbled softly before her eyes opened. “What’s got you all bothered?”
“Linde chose you over me!”
“Yes, it seems she did,” Primrose yawned and melted more into the snow leopard’s warmth.
“But I’m -” Tressa sneezed. “Freezing!”
“Then come over here.”
Tressa paused at Primrose’s words. “What?”
“You aren’t getting any warmer over there. Final offer.” Primrose watched as her friend scampered over.
The young merchant lay beside Linde who simply nuzzled against Tressa’s face for a moment.
“Is that Ophelia’s?”
Tressa looked over at Primrose. She watched her friend’s gaze study her.
“Yeah, she went to get some more firewood.”
Primrose sighed. “That girl’s kindness will be the death of her one day. Then again I suppose I can say that about many of you.” Primrose brushed her finger tips against H’annit’s hand that rested on her stomach. Primrose’s expression softened as she looked back at her love. After a beat she returned her gaze towards Tressa. Her lips parted ready to speak something on her mind when Ophelia's voice appeared.
“Tressa, I got more wood. Oh!” Ophelia stopped in the tracks.
“Place the wood in the fire then join us.”
A redness painted Ophelia’s features. “Pardon?”
Primrose sighed. “Honestly,” The word came out as an annoyed whisper. “Just because you grew up here doesn’t mean you should freely give away your cloak. Tressa, make some space.” With that Primrose leaned back into H’annit’s warmth and went back to sleep.
“I don’t know. Is it alright?” Ophelia asked and was met with a tug from Tressa as an answer. The merchant small grunts of effort as she worked to share the cloak between them. Once that was done Tressa held Ophelia close.
“Goodnight, Ophelia,”
“Wait, I- Tressa,” Ophelia tried to take in all that happened but soon the warmth of Linde and sound of Tressa’s small snores made the cleric’s eyelids droop. A single blink and then another and soon she found herself slipping into a blissful sleep surrounded by the warmth of others.