The track that they followed was narrow, and climbed steeply. Beneath its coating of snow the sparse earth had been scraped from the stones by the hooves of goats, and the beat of their passing had formed the ground into narrow steps, all of different sizes. It was hard going, treading up this irregular stairway, between the snow-laden trees.As the mountainside became steeper still, the travellers faced a second hazard. Rollo Shim brushed a loose stone with his limping foot, and sent a shower of debris tumbling down on those below. One larger stone, gathering speed as it tumbled, triggered a small avalanche, a rush of snow that was heavy enough to knock Fin Marish over and send her rolling back down the track. Miller Marish and Lolo Mimilith clambered down to her aid; and the entire party was forced to wait while they carried the child back up.Rollo Shim cursed his wounded leg, but he was glad of the enforced rest. The climb was hard: most of all for the horses, who hauled Ira Hath on one litter and Mrs Chirish on the other.
