In the evening, the temple was going to be opened. The snowfall had lessened over the past two days, so the workers were finally able to clear the path leading up the mountain. Cars could only go part of the way. After that, people had to walk on a narrow path carved into the mountainside. The trail was surrounded by tall trees, their branches heavy with snow. Below the path, a river that normally rushed and roared was now frozen silent in the cold.
Cristiano and Portia were walking up the path with a group of soldiers. The road wasn't smooth, it was steep and uneven. Cristiano walked easily, barely out of breath, but Portia was struggling. She was breathing hard, sometimes holding her stomach as she tried to take deep breaths.
Cristiano noticed her and hid an amused smile. She looked like a fish out of water. So proud, he thought. She refused to accept help from anyone. He couldn't help but wonder how she planned to walk another mile like this.
