Tartok the Ice Beast by Adam Blade Page B

around, trying to see what was bothering the wolf. The sky had now grown dark and the air was much colder. It felt like a storm was moving in.
    A strong gust of wind whipped at their clothes. Instead of dying down though, it only grew stronger. Tiny shards of snow and ice stung Tom’s skin. Elenna’s shawl was almost ripped away by the sudden gale.
    “I can’t believe how quickly the weather haschanged,” Elenna said. “A moment ago the skies were clear.”
    “Not anymore,” Tom shouted over the wind. Now the sky overhead was dark gray and wild with snow. Storm plunged forward, and Tom stroked his head. “We must keep going and reach that shelter.”
    “How can we?” Elenna clung to her shawl. “The map’s useless if we can’t see any landmarks!”
    Tom knew she was right. Worse still, with the sun blotted out by the snow and clouds, they had no way of getting their bearings. “I think east was this way,” said Tom, turning into the gray haze, trying not to panic. The stinging snow was blowing so hard he could barely keep his eyes open. “Or was it the other way?”
    “I’m not sure,” said Elenna as the storm grew fiercer around them. “We have to find shelter quickly or we won’t stand a chance!”

C HAPTER T WO

A S IGHTING ON THE I CE
    “ W E MUST KEEP MOVING,” SAID T OM . “I F WE stand still we will freeze to death.” Tom had faced so many dangers on his Quest — he wasn’t about to be defeated by a snowstorm. He took hold of Storm’s bridle and led him through the driving snow. Elenna walked at Storm’s side, one arm thrown over his back, hugging him for warmth and support. Silver ran around between them, barking.
    “I can’t see a thing!” Elenna shouted.
    “Just keep holding on to Storm!” Tom yelled back, but the wind seemed to whip the words from his mouth before they could be heard. Already hisbody was turning numb. Desperately, he broke into a stumbling run — then gasped as he hit something solid.
    “What is it?” Elenna screamed over the wind.
    “I’ve led us into a snowdrift!” he exclaimed.
Now what?
But then Silver pushed past him and started burrowing at the huge mound of snow. Tom felt a surge of hope go through him. “Of course! We could dig —”
    “— a snow cave!” cried Elenna. She started to claw at the packed snow.
    “Wait,” said Tom, swinging his shield from his back. It was a charmed shield — every time he released a Beast, he gained a new magical power. It could protect him from fire, save him from drowning or falling from great heights, and it could even give him extra speed. But now, he could use it as a shovel!
    He began to dig into the snowdrift with the edge of the shield. As the snow tumbled away, Silverhelped by working at the drift with his heavy paws. Elenna pulled Tom’s sword from his belt and started chopping at the parts that were too solid to dig into. “It’ll need to be a big cave for all four of us!” she shouted.
    “The work will help us keep warm,” Tom yelled back. “Make sure to pile the snow behind us. It will act as a windbreak.”
    They continued to dig into the snowdrift, packing down the sides and roof as they went. The snow they piled outside cut down on the wind and kept more snow from blowing in.
    At last, Tom and Elenna had carved enough space to form a small shelter that would protect them from the worst of the weather. They crawled inside and sat down, hugging their knees to their chests. It was dark and cold, and they huddled together for warmth with Silver between them.
    “Come on, Storm,” Tom said to his horse. The stallion could fit only his front quarters inside, soTom covered Storm’s back end with blankets. When the horse lay down, he blocked the entrance and helped keep out the blizzard. Storm rested his muzzle on Tom’s shoulder and snorted softly. Tom and Elenna looked at each other.
    “It’s the best we can do,” Tom muttered.
    They sat uneasily in silence, listening to the wind howling