CHAPTER SIX HUNDRED AND ONE – A SIGN OF CIVILISATION

As the first light of dawn began to filter through the trees, Jasmine roused herself. Every part of her body ached, and for a moment, the thought of going on seemed impossible. But one look at Sergei, his face flushed with fever, steeled her resolve. They had to keep moving. The second day was even harder than the first. The snow had deepened overnight, making each step a monumental effort. Jasmine's progress was agonizingly slow, and she found herself having to stop more frequently to catch her breath. Sergei was barely conscious now, mumbling incoherently when he was awake. Jasmine knew his condition was critical. If they didn't find help soon... It was mid-afternoon when Jasmine saw it - a thin column of smoke rising above the trees in the distance. Her heart leaped. Smoke meant fire, and fire meant people. With renewed energy, Jasmine pushed on towards the smoke. The trees began to thin, and suddenly, she found herself on the edge of a small clearing. In the center stood a clus