"You don't have to use it," says Vern to Chrrou loudly, meaning for all to hear; he is too timid to address the arguing predators directly ."But tunnel's the fastest way into the forest north of the city, and that's where the monsters were last spotted."<br/><br/>"--and it's warmer." adds another mouse, laughing.<br/><br/>"Yes, I hope the clothes will be enough to keep you from freezing." says Vern. The wind has become stronger since the previous night. It now blows strong enough to tug at hair, and its powerful gusts rattle the windows and shove small folk off their feet.<br/><br/>"If you start to feel numbness in your limbs, you should look for a cave and build a fire before it starts to turn blue and black and you have to hack it off." The mouse makes a sawing motion on one of his ankles to emphasize the point. "Course, what am I telling you for, Chrrou, you live in the woods! And you've still got all your limbs, so I'm sure you'll be fine. Can't say I envy you, though. It's<span style="font-style: italic">frigid</span>out there."