Arena
You decide that the cave will provide the best shelter from the wind, even if the journey would be longer and potentially more dangerous.
You move across the valley floor at an accelerated pace, the icy ground cracking beneath you as you step. At one point you feel the frozen surface give way and you start to drop through. You jump clear of the falling patch of ice and your feet break through more. You drop down to about knee level into the frigid water beneath the ice.
You pull yourself out of its cold depths and resume your journey towards the cave, attempting to shake the overwhelming cold out of your legs and praying to the gods of old that the water in your hairs doesn't turn to ice.
As you come within several dozen yards of the pines, you wonder if it wouldn't be wise to start a fire in the cavern to warm you before you continue your journey. The pines would take you a few minutes out of your way, but the end result might be worth the time and effort.
You move across the valley floor at an accelerated pace, the icy ground cracking beneath you as you step. At one point you feel the frozen surface give way and you start to drop through. You jump clear of the falling patch of ice and your feet break through more. You drop down to about knee level into the frigid water beneath the ice.
You pull yourself out of its cold depths and resume your journey towards the cave, attempting to shake the overwhelming cold out of your legs and praying to the gods of old that the water in your hairs doesn't turn to ice.
As you come within several dozen yards of the pines, you wonder if it wouldn't be wise to start a fire in the cavern to warm you before you continue your journey. The pines would take you a few minutes out of your way, but the end result might be worth the time and effort.