A few hours later, Xavier returned from his scouting mission, a satisfied smile on his face.
"Found a spot," he announced. "I think you'll like it."
"Where?" Mikaela asked, immediately interested.
"A small cave, high up on a slope," Xavier replied. "The entrance is narrow, which makes it easy to defend."
"What about attacks from above? We're in a volcanic area; we can't afford to be caught off guard," Silverin questioned, concerned.
Xavier nodded. "Thought of that. The cave is hidden behind a rock formation that protects it from the wind and ash. And the volcanic rock above it is very thick. There's no risk of collapse or overheating."
"Overheating?" Mikaela asked, frowning.
"That's where the good part comes in," Xavier said, with a grin. "The cave is naturally warm because of the volcanic activity, but the temperature doesn't go over the normal warmth due to its large opening. And there's more: there's a hot spring nearby. Running hot water."
