The hut was colder inside than it appeared. Snow pressed against the roof and walls, rattling with every gust. Dust and the faint scent of rot clung to the corners. Klen moved first, checking the edges of the room and the back door. Nothing stirred. Nothing waited.
"It's safe," he said, his voice calm but low. "For now."
Marna guided Lyra to the only room with a bed. The mattress was thin, the frame old, but it would have to do. They laid Lyra down carefully; her breathing was shallow, her skin warm and slightly flushed from the storm and exhaustion.
Klen moved to the pack and retrieved the preserved food they had brought from Valmere. Water boiled in a small pot over the fire, and he began stirring the grains and bits of dried meat into a simple porridge. The smell of it filled the room, comforting amid the cold and the tension.
Marna stayed with Lyra, loosening her travel layers and helping her get more comfortable on the bed. Lyra murmured a quiet "thank you" before letting her eyes close.
Klen handed Marna a small bowl of porridge. "Try it first," he said. "Make sure it's not disgusting."
Marna laughed. "Better than sleeping on the snow."
Lyra tasted the warm mixture, grimacing slightly at the blandness but eating enough to regain some strength. Klen watched, hands still, eyes alert. He glanced toward the window, toward the snow-laden forest, before sitting beside them.
They ate in quiet, the fire crackling softly. Small, mundane conversation eased the tension: complaints about the cold, the slow progress through the snow, Marna teasing Lyra about nearly collapsing several times.
Once Lyra had eaten enough, Klen stood. "I'm going to check outside, see if anything's around."
"Don't go far," Marna warned.
"I won't."
He disappeared for a few minutes, returning empty-handed. The forest was silent, undisturbed. Nothing moved.
They settled in for the night. Klen moved to the other room, setting down his swords and equipment. The weight leaving his body felt strange, freeing. Boots kicked off, coat hung aside, and he collapsed onto the futon, closing his eyes.
Marna helped Lyra change into something lighter, more comfortable for the night.
Marna helped Lyra out of her clothes and went to the bag and brought out a change of clothes. She took her them to her, wiping away sweat and changing her underwear and then putting on her clothes.
"Thank you, Marna…" Lyra said slowly, still dizzy and tired.
"Don't worry about it. It's part of my job." Marna said, a big smile on her face. "Alright, now go to sleep."
She helped Lyra ease out and get to sleep. She didn't move away from her until Lyra's breathing evened out.
"I guess I should change out as well." Marna said as Lyra was asleep.
She got up and went to where she put her bag and took out the clothes. She took them out and put them aside. Then, slowly, she started to undress, taking off her clothes until she was in nothing but her underwear.
She quickly wore her new clothes, the soft fabric rustling and going over her chest and the rest of her body, covering and protecting her from the cold.
"This is much better." Marna said as she looked from side to side, twisting her body. It felt light. Comfortable even. She could move around better.
When the fire burned low, Marna lay beside Lyra. Lyra's breathing was even, and her eyes were closed. Marna adjusted the blanket around them both before curling up for herself.
The night pressed on in silence, the fire flickering weakly. Outside, the wind rattled the walls.
Then, Marna stirred.
A weight pressed against her chest, constricting her breath. Tendrils of shadow curled around her neck, pressing tightly. Panic flared as her eyes flew open, searching the dark. Something black, dark, and alive loomed over her. The pressure didn't relent—it only tightened.
Marna gasped, struggled, and readied herself. She could hear Lyra stirring faintly beside her.