Magic Space: Struggling to Survive in the Apocalypse

Chapter 288: Extreme Cold 34

Upon entering the mountain range, the Mammoth began to pick up speed. Thirteen snow-capped mountains overlapped and intertwined, forming a vast mountain range.

The argali and Red Deer followed the group from behind. At the foot of the mountains, the procession, led by the Mammoth, was advancing rapidly.

The mountains were eerily quiet. Some Snow Eagles circled in the distance, but none ventured closer. The Mammoth was moving fast, and the herd of horses behind it broke into a run.

The hot water bottle in her hands had gone cold. Evelyn Ford took out a charger and connected it to a battery pack to recharge it.

It was two in the afternoon, and they had already passed three of the mountains.

"It should take another two hours to get out of this mountain range."

Evelyn Ford checked the time again. The Mammoth was already moving at a high speed. To avoid being thrown about by the jolting ride, she and Ronan Kendrick could only crouch inside the carriage.

Ronan Kendrick blew another whistle, and the Mammoth sped up even more. Evelyn Ford gave him a confused look.

"There’s a commotion behind us."

Evelyn Ford’s pupils contracted. She tried to open the push-out window for a look, but Ronan Kendrick pulled her tightly into his arms.

"Don’t be scared. It’s not that bad."

A rumble echoed in the distance. A massive sheet of ice cracked and plummeted, exploding into a giant plume of snow in the valley between two mountains.

The snowpack in the valley began to slide. Amid a series of deafening roars, the snow billowed up like mushroom clouds, blasting hundreds of meters into the air.

The circling Snow Eagles shrieked. The sudden catastrophe left everyone in the carriages stunned and terrified. Fortunately, the animals hadn’t panicked. At the sound of Ronan Kendrick’s whistle, they continued to follow close behind the Mammoth.

The avalanche moved incredibly fast, cascading from summit to base in just a few minutes. But the Mammoth and the horses were also swift, quickly clearing the immediate danger zone. As long as they remained within the mountain range, however, no one dared to let their guard down.

The path at the foot of the mountains was rough. Evelyn Ford was only saved from being thrown about by the jolting because she was held tightly in Ronan Kendrick’s arms. Just then, another rumble echoed from above. A second avalanche had started.

Only one thought remained in Evelyn Ford’s mind: ’Run.’

After what felt like an eternity, Ronan Kendrick blew another whistle. The Mammoth gradually slowed to a stop, and Evelyn Ford looked up at him.

"Are we safe now?" Her voice was raspy, and her eyes were bloodshot.

Ronan Kendrick caressed her cheek. "We’re safe now."

After a few minutes, Evelyn Ford’s heart finally returned to a normal rhythm. The two of them stepped out of the carriage. All the other horse-drawn carriages were stopped behind them; none were missing. Even the herds of argali and Red Deer were fully intact. The mountains had been left far behind, and before them stretched another endless prairie.

Evelyn Ford opened the door to Quincy and Wyatt Vaughn’s carriage. Both had passed out and had multiple cuts on their heads. Quincy was in even worse shape, adding insult to injury.

After waking everyone up, Evelyn Ford tended to their wounds while Ronan Kendrick started a fire to boil water.

"Was that an avalanche just now? With a sound that loud, it had to be."

"Another narrow escape from death. I’m done romanticizing snowy mountains. That was terrifying. During the avalanche, I kept feeling like some huge beast was chasing us."

"But we’re safe now."

Seeing that everyone was injured, Evelyn Ford then inspected the carriages, only to find several broken wheels. The argali were clearly terrified by the avalanche; they were still bleating in panic while being fed branches.

In the afternoon light, the distant mountains looked like a veiled goddess. Before, everyone had been captivated by their magnificent beauty, but after the avalanche, all they felt was terror.

"Let’s rest here for the night. The wheels need fixing, and everyone’s injured and needs to recover."

Taylor Vance limped over. Something inside the carriage had struck his right leg, but luckily it wasn’t a fracture.

The prairie was strewn with rocks, but the terrain was flat and seemed relatively safe.

Once their wounds were treated, the group began to boil water and cook. No matter what happened, as long as they were alive, life had to go on.

Evelyn Ford took out her binoculars. The Frosfall Mountain range had grown calm again, as if the avalanche from a few hours before had never happened.

"It doesn’t feel as cold now that we’re out of the mountains. Have you guys noticed?"

Evelyn Ford checked her thermometer. The temperature had risen; it was now only negative forty-five degrees.

"Evelyn Ford, come quick! I think this ewe is about to give birth."

Evelyn Ford was peeling cassava when she heard Wyatt Vaughn’s call and immediately went over.

"It’s been panting nonstop, and it’s bleeding."

Evelyn Ford felt the argali ewe’s belly. She was definitely in labor.

"The avalanche must have frightened her and induced labor."

Wyatt Vaughn looked puzzled. "That can happen to animals?"

"Of course. I’m going to help with the delivery. Bring me some more branches."

The ewe’s bleats grew weaker, and its legs were trembling. The situation looked grim.

With the branches and hot water brought over, Evelyn Ford began to press on the ewe’s abdomen to help and soothe her. The surrounding argali were agitated, and a few started running around frantically.

"She’s having trouble delivering on her own."

"Then what do we do? Are the lambs still alive?"

"What about a C-section? Animals can have those, right?"

Everyone started talking at once, giving Evelyn Ford a headache.

"Everyone back up, don’t crowd around. Two people helping is enough."

Ronan Kendrick was staying, so the others had to leave. Wyatt Vaughn didn’t leave either and began to copy Evelyn Ford, pressing on the ewe’s abdomen to help with the delivery.

Fortunately, the ewe was resilient. Half an hour later, she finally delivered the first lamb. The newborn was also in poor condition, but Ronan Kendrick knew what to do. He worked on it for a few minutes, and the lamb finally, shakily, stood up.

Soon after, a second and then a third lamb were successfully delivered. Evelyn Ford finally breathed a sigh of relief. The mother ewe was exhausted. Seeing her collapse onto the bed of branches, a pained Wyatt Vaughn rushed to give her some water.

There were several other pregnant ewes in the flock. Evelyn Ford did a quick count—the herd of argali now numbered ninety-two.

"Bring a brazier over, otherwise the three lambs will freeze to death."

Wyatt Vaughn hurried to fetch a brazier. Evelyn Ford watched for a while longer until all the newborn lambs were on their feet. Only then did she wash her hands and return to the campfire with Ronan Kendrick.

"You’ve both worked hard. Come and eat. We have steamed buns tonight," Taylor Vance said, opening a steamer. "Everyone got a scare today, so eat up and get a good night’s rest. We’ll press on and get off this prairie as soon as possible." Evelyn Ford took two buns.

"Are there more snowy mountains in Khoros?"

"We shouldn’t have to cross any. After the prairie comes a desert, so everyone should prepare themselves for that."

Peter Owens and Miles Vaughn groaned in dismay.

"A desert? Just the word is terrifying. No trees, no water... How are we going to survive that?"

"It won’t be so bad. It’s a small desert, only a few hundred kilometers. We’ll be out in a few days."