There was no road across the snowfield. The lead sled went first, pressing a track into the snow.
The carts behind followed the track, one after another, pressing it deeper.
Snow piled up on either side, covering half the wheels.
Two ruts remained in the snow.
Everything in sight was white, layer upon layer, stretching out of view.
The wind came from the side, blowing in fits and starts. The loose layer on the surface shifted with it.
On the right side of the column, Kiyoshi held the end of a rope. Its other end was tied to the last cart, pulled taut all the way.
The column moved slowly. Wheels sank into soft snow, advancing a little and rising a little, making the ruts veer with them.
The scouts ahead stopped at intervals, then sent back a signal, keeping it very quiet.
Snow grains struck his face.
Three slow signals, one quick. The post ahead answered.
They traveled another stretch, and the second post answered too, again three slow and one quick.
He pulled his scarf higher.
He wound the rope around his hand once, then loosened it.
His fingers were too frozen to obey properly. He rubbed his hand inside his cuff.
The cart in the middle of the column had a canopy, its roof weighed down by a thick layer of snow.
The axle sagged under the weight, creaking once, then again as it moved.
He kept glancing toward that cart.
Its curtain hung motionless.
The Liaison Officer came from the other end of the column and approached Kakashi. The gist of what he said was that lodging had already been prepared in the city.
Warm and clean, waiting only for their arrival.
Kakashi did not stop the column.
"...No rest. We travel through the night."
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