Journey Across Jord by Allan Joyal

Author:Allan Joyal [Joyal, Allan]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2015-03-10T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 16: Storm Break

Everyone appeared to have looked up at the sky. No one sat out the assembly of the tent. The structure went up quickly. Kariy had the kids look for rocks that could be used to surround the small fire she set up in the center of the tent. The wood Lydia had gathered took a few moments to catch, but by the time we had the tent secure and were setting up bedrolls, a warm blaze burned in the ring of stones Shaylin and Gertrilla had assembled.

Verval was shivering as we finished placing the bedrolls. Everyone had also grabbed food, and Kariy assured us that she could prepare a warming stew once the fire had finished blazing. At the moment, her tripod sat over the fire holding a single cauldron that was full of melting snow.

"How are you feeling, Verval was it?" Esme asked. She had just finished getting Natalie to lie down and was now moving through the tent, checking on everyone.

Verval said nothing, but continued to shiver. Esme put her left hand on his cheek. He pulled away, but she grabbed his chin with her right hand and resumed touching his face. "Ron!" she called. "We need to get this man warmed up."

"Hypothermia?" I asked.

"I don't have the right tools to measure, but it's likely," Esme said.

"Look at his pants," Victoria said. "We should have noticed them earlier. They aren't leather or hide. And they are completely soaked."

"Corwar?" I asked. "How is he?"

Two girlish giggles were the response. "Hey! Those are my pants!" Corwal screamed out.

"Undressed," Lydia observed.

"If he has the same type of pants, that's a good thing," Esme said. "The cold wet clothing will make them colder. Someone get me a fur, we need to get these pants off Verval, now!"

Verval fought for a moment, but Steve came over to help hold the man as Esme removed his boots and then his pants. The legs of the pants made a sucking sound as they were peeled from his legs. Jennifer immediately used a spare hide to dry Verval's legs, ignoring his protests.

Esme watched and once the legs were dry to her satisfaction, tapped Jennifer on the shoulder. "We need to make him some fur leggings," she said. "Those pants will only get wet again."

"This never happened before," Verval protested.

"You probably weren't working hard in the snow," Esme responded. "The problem is that your pants got wet, probably a combination of snow melting on the outside while you sweated from the effort of pulling the sled. Once all that water could start to cool down, it sucked the heat from your body."

"Corwar?" Verval asked.

"I'll check him in a moment, but it sounds like he didn't sweat as much. The light sleds you brought didn't require as much effort to pull," Esme said.

Verval blushed. He had his hands over his crotch. "You should not have seen," he muttered.

Esme giggled. "You'll see all of me soon enough. This tent has just the one room, and I need to get out of my own wet clothes.

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