Chapter 6
THE PASS AND BEYOND
The climb up to Kwenzi Pass took two full days of slow, careful progress. Each step was a struggle – the snow was deep and heavy, and the steep slope tested their strength and balance at every turn. The thin air made it hard to breathe, and they had to stop every few minutes to catch their breath and rest their aching muscles.
But with each step upward, they felt their determination growing stronger. The vision from the cave pool stayed with them, guiding them forward even when the path seemed to disappear beneath the snow. Ntila led the way, using a long stick to test the ground ahead and find the safest route through the drifts. Rixile followed close behind, checking the map whenever they could see the sun or stars to make sure they were still on course. Sungu brought up the rear, carrying the heaviest pack but never complaining, his face set with the same quiet resolve as his friends.
On the evening of the second day, they finally reached the pass – a narrow saddle between two of Mount Kwenzi’s highest peaks, where strong winds blew constantly and snow covered everything in a thick white blanket. From here, they could see for miles in every direction – to the south, the familiar slopes of Xindewula Mountain rising dark against the horizon; to the north, the mountains of Babangu stretching out before them, their peaks sharp and jagged like broken teeth against the purple sky of sunset.
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