"Why didn't you tell us about this before?" Johannes asked.

"I wished first to ascertain that you were indeed honourable as you claimed. The dwarves to not lightly share the secret of where entrances to our realm may be find, and but seldom do we grant passage to those not of our race."

"We appreciate the honour you do us." Sir Robert replied. "We thank you for your graciousness in revealing the existence of this way to us."

"I thank you also." said Johannes. "But what proof have you had of our trustworthyness this morning that you had not last night?"

"That is simple." Garin replied. "Last night I talked of coin with Sir Robert, if you recall. He was willing to tell me of the Bretonnian coin - of which it can be seen he carries a fair-sized pouch - and even told me that he carried coins of pure gold about his person. There are many who would not trust a dwarf with this information, many who believe that a dwarf will kill for the smallest piece of gold. How could I but repay this confidence in me?"

Sir Robert said nothing. He knew full well that it had been naivity, not trust, that had led him to talk about the Bretonnian coins - but the Lady had so arranged things that his foolishness had won what wisdom would have lost.

They struggled on through the snowstorm all of that morning. As noon, or what they reckoned to be noon for they could not see the Sun, approached they took shelter under an outcrop of rock. Here they tried to build a fire to warm themselves, for the cold of the snow pierced their clothing and struck to the bown. With the skill of the dwarf, and a little of the Imperial 'fire-liquid' that Johannes carried, they were able to get a fire going and warm themselves. But this all cost time, and the struggle through the snow had already slowed them.

Having warmed themselves and taken a morsal of food, they set off again. If anything, the snowstorm had worsened and it grew difficult to tell land from sky. They roped themselves together for safety as the ground grew increasinly icy and slippy. Garin took the lead, his eyes able to see the path even through the white-out, and the others followed the rope blindly, trusting in the dwarf's skill to lead them safely.

Sir Robert slipped, banging his knee hard on the ice as he fell. Hi scrabbled wildly for a purchase, but was carried towards the edge by the slope of the path. He felt the rope tighten, then slacken again as Johannes tumbled, caught out by the sudden shock. He stabbed a dagger into the ice, only to see the blade snap on the iron surface. His scrabbling feet suddenly found thin air as he reached the edge, then the rope tightened again. Ahead, Garin stood firm, behind Johannes, Donal and the horses remained upright and on solid ground. Slowly they hauled the rope back up, and Sir Robert and Johannes were finally able to stand again.