The world went from dim to bright in seconds as they stepped out of the gloom beneath the trees. Paul's eyes leaked water as he squinted ahead. White light from sun on the snowy fields knifed into his head. Eventually his eyes adjusted and he could look properly. Rym was beyond anything Paul had imagined. It was a huge anthill of activity. He could see people lined up at the gates. Even from this far away he could smell the city.

Paul and Daniel joined a thickening crowd of people ...