Carefully taking hold of the tent flap, Miķelis slipped out of the darkened tent and into the predawn darkness. The air was quite cold and the stars overhead twinkled like tiny jewels set into a smooth cloth of rich, deep blue. Lower down from the sky, Miķelis could tell a fog was hovering over the camp, which undoubtedly meant that a frost was forming on every available surface edge there was to be had, although how thick it would be remained to be seen.
Miķelis crept through the snow as quietly as possible, passing the tent in which Dāvids slept alone, as far as Miķelis knew, only to stop short when he noticed that the tent in which he slept was glowing.
It wasn’t the brighter glow of a tent with a lantern lit inside it, but a lower glow, like a candle was lit, and it was evident that the candle was toward the back of the tent, as a shadowy form blocked some of the canvas from glowing.
Although the glow had caught him by surprise, Miķelis quickly concluded that Mārtiņš had risen early to do his devotions, and was not only the one who’d lit the candle, but was the one whose form was blocking the candle from illuminating the entirety of the tent.
He continued his advance through the snow quietly before slipping into the tent silently.
Mārtiņš was out of his bed, but evidently still in his nightclothes, as Miķelis could see Mārtiņš’ uniform cast on the ground where he’d left it, although Mārtiņš’ nightclothes were obscured from Miķelis’ view by the blanket Mārtiņš had around his shoulders.
Low and murmuring — but still possessing that distinctive nasal note — Mārtiņš’ voice could be heard, uninterrupted and unwavering. Nothing about his posture suggested that he’d detected Miķelis’ stealthy entry into the tent.
Miķelis continued to move carefully and quietly as he first put his book away with several furtive glances toward Mārtiņš, as well as to Kristiāns, whose slumber was evidently undisturbed by the candlelight — likely aided by the fact that Kristiāns’ back was to the candle — as even Kristiāns noticing the book could be dangerous, despite the friendship he had developed.
He then carefully removed his coat and other outerwear, that he might be ready and presentable when the inspecting officer arrived, although he was actually grateful to take his heavy winter wear off, as he noticed that the tent seemed to be warmer in temperature than before.
Looking at the stove once he’d finished undressing, Miķelis was glad to see no part of it was glowing to suggest it was overheated, but he wouldn’t have been surprised to open the door and find that the chamber was full of wood. Evidently Mārtiņš liked things warmer than he did.
A gasp prompted Miķelis to turn his gaze and see that Mārtiņš had turned his head and was looking at him in a mixture of terror and indignation. Miķelis nodded politely, keeping the pleasure he felt at having been able to sneak in so undetected confined within himself. Mārtiņš definitely wouldn’t be pleased to see it.
Pronunciation:
Dāvids: dayvihds
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