His foot sank deep into the snow that had gathered on the mountain's face, little by little scaling the jagged cliffs. A cold breeze nipped at his face forcing him to pull the heavy hood further down and pin it together over the lower part of his face to try and prevent the heat from slipping away.
Despite the thick layers he wore, the throb of pain lingered in the tips of his fingers and toes, like a thousand needles prickling into skin and muscle. But he welcomed it, for it assured him he still had sensation in his limbs, that he might make it through without any loss of fingers and toes. But he knew the risks.
The journey started before sunrise but the days were short this time of year and the light was already fading away, dark was creeping in from the horizon at his back. He cursed and the steam produced by his breath fogged in his eyes, but he could now make out the crag he was bound for. At this point he knew he would have to hurry or risk the climb blind to the treacherous patches of ice and jagged outcrops hidden under the snow. Were he to make camp now and sleep he would not wake again.
The wind picked up and loose snow stirred into flurries of white mist that stinged at his eyes and obscured his view. He winced at the biting chill on his face and slowed to a halt, growling in voiceless anger at the weather which rose to oppose him at every turn. Grabbing the rim of his hood he tucked it low over his eyes, squinted and straining to peer through both the snow and dimming light. With sunken pride he drew himself snug in his coat, admitting defeat to the mountain. He had little choice now.
"Belfaer!
His head craned back glared through the blinding snow whirling around his face. "Belfaer!" He bellowed again, louder this time.
No response.
Gritting his teeth in frustration, he clambered onto his foothold tightly with numbing fingers. He shut his eyes and drew breath, the chill air stung at his lungs. "Belfaer!" He shouted into the wind, as loud as he could possibly call.
This time there was an answer. A sharp shriek split the air and a great shadow rushed through the darkening haze. He braced himself, breathed in and out deeply, and tensed himself for impact.
Thunk!
The air rushed from his lungs with the impact as a heavy weight slammed into him and then drew him weightless into the air locked within a mighty embrace of great talons. He clutched round the grasp holding him high as they soared higher into the sky, sighing softly in relief as he was carried away to safety.
His short respite was cut short as the ride ended with an unceremonious plummet into a mound of snow, he crashed deep and felt the snow creep into every crack in his clothes with sharp pangs of unwelcome chill. Hastily he extricated himself with a splutter of curses, enraged further by a clucking coming from behind that sounded rather like amusement.
The great feathered creature spread its wings wide and set down upon the ground beside him, carefully finding its balance on its one hale leg. "You claimed you could scale the mountain." Said the eagle with a tone that betrayed its adolescence.
The man grunted as he shambled up to his feet and brushed himself off as best as he could, shivering after the unkind snow bath. "That was not needed, Belfaer!" He snapped toward his companion, craning his neck to regard the full visage of the towering eagle.
"How else was I supposed to land?" Belfaer retorted, minding his one-legged stance as his feathers ruffled up close around his body.
"You could have placed me down instead of dropping me! I am chilled enough as it is and now my clothes will provide me no warmth." He chided him through shattering teeth, shuffling on boots full of residue snow.
Belfaer's head tilted and his dark eyes reflected a hint of guilt then raised his neck to scan the sloping cliffs. "I cannot have you freeze." The eagle agreed and hopped along up the path on its one leg, slowly perfecting the awkward gait. "Come!"
The man stumbled after his great companion, clenching numbed fingers and feet he could barely feel where he placed them anymore. An alcove opened into the mountainside where young trees and shrub had been shuffled together to form a nest. The eagle led the way and settled into his humble abode, straining and failing to maintain his balance. With an undignified expression the proud creature straightened itself again and brushed away its embarrassment with another ruffle of his wings.
Shivering and miserable he joined into the huge nest and settled in as comfortable as he could. His host proved kind enough to share his warmth in extending one of his wings toward him and he gladly accepted, settling down against Belfaer's flank in the snug embrace of coarse feathers coming together in a warm little chamber.
