[ Steve's aware that Geralt would have said something if he thought the rented horse wasn't suitable, and he's glad that it seems to have passed muster. They set out shortly after and it's definitely eerie, traveling in this kind of weather with every other living creature having found shelter. The horses are brave to keep pushing forward at their urging, though Steve can sense that the one he's riding is close to spooking, its tail whipping around with uncertainty.

The ride isn't that long all things considered, and the wind blows hard enough that trying to have a conversation during it would be a fool's errand. The only time that Steve speaks up is to confirm things about the terrain as they navigate, what path is best to take on horseback, all of which he trusts Geralt to know best.

He's become practiced in riding while here, but the fact remains that he's a city boy through and through, only really learning the ins and outs of the desert after he settled in Cadens.

They do eventually reach the base of the mountains, though, and at that point have to get off horseback. They find a sheltered area to tie up the horses where they'll be as safe as they can be, and then it's time to climb.

Steve doesn't mind taking point, though, and now they're close enough to each other that they can talk, even if they still have to raise their voices. ]

Did you notice that none of the lightning seemed to actually strike the ground anywhere while we were riding? I kept thinking we were going to come across small brush fires, but...

[ Even now, while the sky frequently brightens with streaks of lightning, it all seems to be localized far overhead. ]