“Afoot,” Howell thundered under his breath, worried Sandow still thought this was a good time for foot-related jokes. Maybe not. Maybe Howell was just too aware of the pain he got from each trudging step.

“More dangerous without magic,” Howell warned, about venturing deeper into the caves. If there was a rock fall – or indeed a dragon sheltering in this network – they might be in trouble. And however much he wanted to say you go on ahead, however much he wouldn’t mind a moment’s peace and quiet in this dank place – he sighed. “But maybe we can feel our way through. And watch your feet.” Even without a layer of snow and ice to contend with, the cave floor was still uneven ground.

---