[dragoneyes]

The group hesitated at the entrance, all remembering the tales which spoke of evil in places such as these. Slowly, with Bullroarer's encouragement, the first few crept in, leaving behind them footprints in the dust.

Hal was among the first few to enter, by the little light that came in from outside, he could see some kind of gold and jewels glinting in the darkness, closer than they were two skeletons. They were still and silent, which relieved Hal immensely, they looked noble lying with their boney hands across their ribcages, encircled with riches of old. He went to have a closer look, the swords they held were, under the dirt, well made and things of beauty, even Hal could tell that, and he was no expert.

Bullroarer called Hal away to see to the horses, reluctantly, he went. Outside the wind was biting cold, the ponies stood patiently while Hal fixed a blanket to each, he did his own Fallor last, Dad wouldn't be best pleased if he knew I put other ponies before his own he thought to himself as he struggled to fix the final blanket with his numb fingers.

That done, he went back into the relative warmth of the barrow where a small fire had been started, around it sat Bullroarer, Branda, Carl, Dinodas, Lotho and Giles. The rest were either outside doing some chore or other or were amid the gloom, searching through the jewels or just satiating their curiosity.

Hal sat himself next to Dinodas at the fire, getting as close to it as he could without burning himself. The snow which had gathered all about Hal slowly melted, leaving him wet in some most uncomfortable places. He got himself a blanket and wrapped it around himself. He brought his knees up and rested his chin on them and dozed. He was so very tired, the past few nights had been very harsh in comparison to their soft beds in Whitfurrows. Perhaps tonight he would get a better rest.