Journal of Artyom's Expedition - Day 3

Made more progress through the mountain range today. We've made camp again, this time nearing the high point of the pass. I don't like it here. The light of the stars feels distant and the wind is unnaturally cold. I suspect we're getting close to confronting whatever it is that haunts this region; I am concerned that this is no mere undead sorcerer, but that the essence of the mountains themselves might be hostile. I am not sure how we might combat such a threat, aside from simply attempting to move past it as quickly as possible.
 
We were attacked again last night by more of those winter wolves, including an especially large one who I would expect is a pack leader. They broke off the attack when one of their own was killed, but the leader spoke and threatened to continue the wolves' assault. It is upsetting to learn this enemy is more intelligent than might have been assumed, and I do not know the reason for their tenacity. Perhaps they view us as invading their territory; they would not be entirely wrong.
 
Our caravan was somewhat exhausted by the fighting in the middle of the night and we got a late start next morning. Moshe especially seems to have been hard-pressed to continue today, though I suspect he might also be sulking about how I scolded him for possessing the wolf yesterday. We made good time through the snow regardless, though we ran into difficulties when the path went up the end of a thirty-foot-tall box canyon. The pitons in the cliff face were well-set, but this route was clearly not intended for horses to travel. Our party managed to devise a way to raise the horses up the cliff using a series of rope slings and the Maidens' combined physical efforts, but it took most of our remaining sunlight to lift the Hounds' steeds up the cliff.
 
Complicating matters, we were also ambushed by a troll, a largrash and a trio of harpies during the ascent, while the caravan was vulnerable at the cliff face. Eloria, Sadon and I, with the help of the Maidens and the Hounds, managed to kill all of the attackers, but several of Artyom's academic aides were killed by the troll before we could manage to get them safely behind our own perimeter. I organized a short funeral ceremony and cremation after we had successfully cleared the cliff face; the rest of the caravan seemed appreciative that we had taken the time to honor them.
 
I am concerned about the twins. Silvertongue ran off up the pass shortly before the ambush today and was not present to aid in the fight at all; Sybil went after him, understandably concerned for his safety. That kind of recklessness is liable to get them killed in a place as dangerous as this, and I worry they have lost sight of the fact that we are here to see this expedition over the Wall - none of our party can afford to go running off and leave the caravan unprotected. I will need to speak with Silvertongue when I have the opportunity.