Alpine Lake here she comes and then she's gone again

Little more.... little more.... there!  He waited while she found it, then stepped back, and would continue to walk back and direct as she found each foothold.  Provided she was surefooted and his decisions solid, she should make it far enough to turn herself and escape back down the rock face.

I seem to have a habit of climbing with strangers, he said conversationally, chuckling.  One who happened to be a Blackfeather, he'd later found... and one who he hoped had escaped the war they shared shortly after.  That sobered him a bit, but it was hard to truly be down on such a beautiful day and in good natured company.