The next bellow dissipated in the dull air. Once the chilled mist that had escaped in her breath cleared, she blinked the area around her clear once more, a second blink to keep the oncoming itch at bay. She found, soon enough, that exhaling that frosty air within her outward around her face, it had a nice, cleansing effect. She would use it often, then...until she could find either the safe north or...or what it was she had thought to seek by leaving in the first place.

Large as she was, she needed very few steps to cover a great deal of ground. Her head dipped down, where what scarce trees seemed to give the air a much more tolerable mixture, and nearly missed the tiny, racing shape in her path. It slowed her next step to a sliding stop, shifting loose stones and putting an end to a dead tree's hold.

Another, higher sound escaped, causing a rumble in the air.

What is this? she wondered, turning her head slow to find it again. What moves here?