Lena’s POV

Like a true guardian, Ikiaq guided us through the valley, covering as much distance as we could in the broad daylight. The place was the remotest and most uninhabitable region on the entire planet. Throughout our journey, apart from a handful of Dall sheep, caribou, grizzlies, and hawks, we hardly saw much. Maybe it was because of our speed.

Urko was the fastest among us and we struggled to keep pace with him. Zephyrus, although fast, opted to stay by my side rather than rush. I ...