As they climbed the frozen ridges, the wind began to howl. A sudden ledge gave way under Luca’s feet. He didn't fall into the abyss, but his leg was pinned under a heavy stone, and the cold was beginning to seep into his bones.
Matei didn't move. He knew that by the time he returned with the village elders, the mountain would have claimed his friend. Instead, he sat down beside Luca, wrapping his own heavy wool cloak around both of them. He began to sing—a low, steady melody of an old folk song about the strength of the earth. BRATTР/FRATTI - PRIETENIA
"I am not leaving," Matei said. "If the mountain wants one of us, it has to take both." As they climbed the frozen ridges, the wind began to howl
One harsh winter, a heavy mist settled over the valley, and a prize sheep from Luca’s family flock went missing. Without hesitation, Matei grabbed his coat. "We find it together," he said. Matei didn't move
Matei spent the night rubbing Luca’s hands to keep the blood flowing and singing to keep him conscious. When the search party’s torches finally flickered through the mist at dawn, they found the two boys huddled together, frozen but alive.