I can barely feel the cold anymore. Maybe that’s because I can’t feel much of anything. My entire body is numb, but I assume my clothes are sticking to me with wetness. Melted ice, yes, and blood. Did I mention that I have a dagger hilt-deep in my stomach? I crawled at an odd angle for what I can only guess is a few minutes before the adrenaline left me for dead. I watch helplessly as my own blood drenches the surrounding snow, staining the pure white. I lay on my back, shivering, chest heaving, watching the jeweled hilt of the dagger taunt me. I know if I pull it out, I’ll only die faster, but leaving it in doesn’t give me any better of a shot at living. Now it sounds only like a mercy- get it over with faster. I’m dizzy. Oh so very dizzy. The world spins under me, and over me, and around me, the snowy forest floor spins. No.. no that part is real. Earthquake? Too gentle.. too… warm? Arms. There are arms carrying me.