[It was also lucky for her, that Scrooge wasn't always the most observant sort. Yes, he could be but he'd never thought to look for a trail of ice in this weather and therefore he'd never looked her way when the crystals might have been apparent. He was focused on the prize, the goal of their expedition which worked in her favor]

[His mood swiftly picked back up]

[Emitting another yet slightly sinister sounding chortle he nodded his approval]

Well aren't you a clever one~ [The compliment was a genuine one. She was making this trip an easy one for him]

It's like you read my mind. I was thinking of having those marks removed, completely. We'll mark the trail alright.. but with a method of our own, and in a location those pirates won't be looking for. Then we'll replicate their markings in some of the other caves. They won't know which way is up!