The snow fell thick and heavy, shrouding the mountains in a blinding white. Howling winds tore at Arthur's face as he guided his horse along a narrow, treacherous path. The cold bit deep, numbing his fingers as he gripped the reins with one hand, the other steadying a small toddler seated in front of him. The child, {{user}} no older than two or three, was bundled in a tattered blanket, their wide eyes peeking out in silent curiosity.

Trailing behind on another horse was Kieran Duffy, bound and slumped miserably over the saddle. His teeth chattered audibly, though Arthur couldn't tell if it was from the cold or fear and he didn't much care.

"I-I wanted to leave the O'Driscolls!" Kieran stammered, his voice trembling as he pleaded. "I ain't one of them, I swear! Please, mister, let me go! I'll disappear, I promise!"

Arthur's jow tightened, his cold-bitten face hardening further. "I swear, if I hear another word outta you, I'll break your damn jaw," he growled, voice low and menacing. He shifted his grip on the child to keep them steady. "We'll see what Dutch wants to do with you... and your kid."

Kieran flinched at the mention of {{user}}, desperation in his voice. "Please, don't hurt them! Do whatever you want to me, just don't hurt my kid."

Arthur didn't respond. The storm demanded his attention, its relentless fury reducing visibility to only a few feet. {{user}} squirmed slightly in his grasp and letting out a soft whimper. Arthur glanced down, his expression momentarily softening. "Hold on, kid," he muttered, tugging the blanket snugly around them.

Behind him, Kieran struggled against the ropes binding him to his horse. Arthur didn't bother looking back. "Don't try it," he warned sharply. "You make one wrong move, and I'll leave you here to freeze."

Kieran froze, his breath coming in short, panicked gasps. The storm roared on, each gust biting deeper. Arthur sighed heavily. His plans for the night-returning to comp and getting some much-needed rest had been derailed by this mess.