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The wind is strong and frigid. So much so that some of your runners are trying to stay inside instead of coming out to inspect their sledges!
Annoyed, you order Sage and a select few trustworthy subordinates to roust the laggards and get them to work. It's an embarrassment that Lady Aurelia is already outside and performing her duties while her underlings shy away from work.
"Out ya lazy bastard. Too cold? You say it's too cold? Are ye not blessed by Tarn? Summon the cloak of Tarn to cover you."
Sage kicks a young runner in the butt to get her out the door of a humble hut.
<span class="mu-r">It is a very cold day. If you do not ward the cold off in the afternoon, you will suffer frostbite wounds... But for now, you can endure.</span>
You smell of smoke, sweat, food and spilt grog despite quickly wiping a wet cloth over your body and face. Hopefully the Lady won't notice since she'll be in the sledge and under her warm fur blanket.
"Master lead, the sledges are frozen to the ground." Some random runner calls out in the chaos.
"Then pull them free or chip away at the ice! This isn't your first winter!"
You bark out with what you hope sounds like authority. You try to remember that normal runners suffer much during the search for Spring, but it's difficult. The blessing of Tarn is like a river that overflows its banks and suffuses your soul like an unending flood. You never had any problems with the work nor suffered from your duties. It is hard to relate to them.
Also, they shirk their work. Is it because you are young and they don't respect you? Or is this simply normal? Did old Sage have to put up with this all the time? Gods forbid that this is what you are going to deal with during the search.
Ogier keeps close to Lady Aurelia, tightly holding a small heavy chest. Her young hands dip inside the depths and pull out copper or silver coins depending on the rank of receiver. It is a tedious task, but the young girl keeps a polite smile and freely gives warm thanks to each supplicant until at last there are none left.
