Chapter 290: Ideal in Every Way
Irene noticed that most buildings in this abandoned township were in a similar a-frame design as the small dwelling she had stayed in at the bottom of the foothills. Since these buildings were in better shape, she was finally able to tell that they truly were the most effective in the snow.
Even when the snow piled high on either side, there was still space at the top for chimneys and so that all of the weight of the snow wasn’t set on the load bearing beams inside of the buildings.
Her trek took her along the outskirts where there were surprisingly more fortified buildings while the smaller and less protected buildings stood on the inside.
Occasionally she would slip off of Sammy to peer into a building or see if it was someplace she could stay. However, she was having no luck since many of them had no doors or it seemed entirely impossible to get inside no matter how much she tried.
Since she couldn’t use all of her energy trying to axe down doors, she simply went on, hoping that she would find a door that was easy to open. She had wasted her energy plowing out a few buildings that had snow nearly to the top of their doors only for them to be unsafe to sleep in or tightly locked.
This led her further into the heart of the township. As her green eyes traveled along the buildings, she spotted something a little bit away that was seemingly in the very center of all of the buildings.
It was a bit different from all the rest, other than its large triangular roof that practically touched the ground. Unlike the others, it had a rock foundation that put it up a few steps from the main level that all of the other buildings were on. It was also quite a bit bigger than any in the area because it was much longer despite having similar design.
The girl slipped off of her horse and went towards the steps that were buried deeply but still had a rough outline of steps regardless.
"There’s even a pen here!" Irene exclaimed to Sammy who merely shook his head at that to swing around his mane. "I know. I feel a bit regretful having to leave you in the cold while I sleep inside. Perhaps there’s room for both of us. This place is rather massive. Just wait, Sammy! I will dig out a way in."