because in a thick fog it is easy to lose what direction you're walking in. I go over to Flot and Jet, and help them put their kill bags over their heads too. I push them ahead of me, making sure they move in the right direction, and so I don't lose them in the mist.
We take a few steps forward before we're swallowed by the fog. The air turns white around us. I can still see Flot and Jet, but it is hard to make out any of the other hunters. I hear Lagan yell out to us.
"Everyone, stay calm and follow my voice. I will talk so that no one is lost."
I am glad that Lagan is thinking well. He seems to be at his best when things are at their worst. He continues talking, giving us a way to keep the hunters together.
I notice that Jet can't seem to walk in the right direction; I have to grab him and push him toward Lagan's voice every few steps. I can tell that he hates me doing it, but I don't care, because I'm not going to lose one of my brothers to the fog.
It seems like I am always trying to push Jet in the right direction, like all he ever wants to do is walk toward danger. He just doesn't understand what will happen if he does. That he could end up dead, or maybe even worse. This time though, I think he just can't hear Lagan. It makes me wonder if his ears don't work well. It would make sense, since he doesn't seem to hear my warnings, either.
We continue walking. Things seem to be getting worse. It doesn't feel like we're walking in a straight line. The sky is so dark with clouds, and the air so thick with fog, that I cannot tell if we are heading toward the Crag. I don't say anything to Lagan, because I trust him, and I know that he would never lead us in the wrong direction.
But as we walk more, I worry more. It seems like we should have reached the Crag already. I hear people talking to each other; whispers in the fog. I think that they are worried too. Both Jet and Flot look back at me, trying to see if I'm as worried as they are. I turn them back around toward Lagan's voice.
I can hear the worry in his words. He doesn't sound brave and strong like he normally does; he sounds like he is lost. I think he's still trying to act brave so that the other hunters will stay together, and continue following him.
I speak to Flot and Jet through the fog.
"Ready yourselves," I say.
They both look back at me. Flot nods his head, and Jet just turns away. He does listen to me though, and raises his spear as well. I place a rock in my sling, just in case we run into predators.
After many more steps, Lagan finally speaks.
"Everyone, ready your weapons. We do not know what we will meet in the fog."
The fog has only grown thicker since it met us, and I reach out to Jet and Flot to make sure they are still ahead of me.
I stop walking. Off in the distance I hear a familiar sound. It is the sound that has haunted my nightmares. It is a sound I haven't heard for many snows, but I will always remember. It is the sound of a dragon.
7
"Lagan, stop!" I yell as loud as I can.
I don't mean to scare the other hunters, but they need to know what they are up against.
"Hunters, do not move," yells out Lagan. "Sam, is that you?"
"Yes."
"Come to me, quickly. Follow my voice."
Lagan continues talking as I bring Flot and Jet with me. The fog is clearing some, which makes things more dangerous. We could have hidden, buried deep within the fog. But now we will be out in the open, and the dragon will see us. There are no rocks to hide behind, no caves to run to, for we are in the middle of a grassy field.
We reach Lagan as the sound of the dragon gets louder.
"What is it, Sam?"
"Can't you hear it?" I ask.
Lagan stops talking. I can see fear on his face as he listens. His skin pales, and his hands shake.
"We're losing the safety of the fog," he says. "And there's nowhere to hide."
He looks around, unsure of what to do. I stare into his eyes, but it seems like he has disappeared. I try to shake him, but he won't look at me, won't