When Jasna woke from her stupor again, the small village that had sheltered her for several weeks had completely vanished.
The sleigh traveled steadily along the frozen river. Dense pine forests lining both banks continuously slipped past her field of vision.
Thick clouds once again covered the sky, turning it that same murky gray.
Old Enma had entered the carriage at some point. As he fed firewood into the stove, he warmed several skewers of cold, hard venison over the flames.
Cough, cough—
With no chimney, the thin smoke filling the carriage made Jasna cough a few times. Supporting herself with both arms, she sat up and lifted the blankets.
The freshly wrapped bandage around her right leg made Jasna press her lips together slightly.
Perhaps to avoid embarrassment.
During the days they had lived in the little hut, Old Enma had always untied her bandages and applied medicine while she slept, then rewrapped them and secured a splint.
Every time she woke to discover that Old Enma had changed her dressing, she could not help feeling a little surprised.
Someone had handled her leg while she slept, yet she had not woken up. She had not even felt much resistance in her heart.
Jasna could only explain it by telling herself that Old Enma bore her no ill will, so he did not trigger her instinctive vigilance.
"How many days will we have to stay on the sleigh?"
Brushing aside the loose strands of hair before her eyes, Jasna asked in a better mood.
"If nothing unexpected happens, three days—"
Old Enma handed her the warmed skewers and pointed at the waterskin set to one side, indicating that there was hot water inside.
Three days was not especially long.
But considering that they could encounter a blizzard at any