Chapter 4

The Gypsy Witch and the Knight of Darkness came upon a hill after some time. Purple, blue, and yellow wildflowers almost completely obscured the golden grass from view, as flutter bugs danced from one petal to the next. Here at the top of the hill, the Witch came to a stop with the Knight of Darkness only a few steps behind. Just beyond where they stood, the thick, twisted roots of the Mother Tree jutted from the ground, marking the division between territories.

The Witch lifted her arms, palms to the sky, and gently asked, "Come, Snow Bringer. Garuk, Cea'em Two'um!"

In response to the witch's words, a bitter chill ran through the colorful valley, bending the flowers and flattening the short grass in obedience to the cold. Thunder whispered in the distance, quickly gaining in speed and intensity until it was an overwhelming roar. A gigantic beast, mighty and almost pure white, leapt on six heavy hooves over the thick roots and pounded up the hill, pride flowing through his icy mane.

His breath poured out of his snout, so cold it frosted the air in a smoky haze. He left hoof shaped ice in his steps and a gentle flurry swirled in his wake. Saddled with thick gray furs of the mighty Tar'una wolf, a beast that roamed the wilds of the snow-covered Winterlands.

Snow Bringer pounded to a stop, his six hooves pawing at the now frozen grass in turn. The Witch reached out her hand and cradled his snout, motioning for the knight to come to the beast with the other. He did, almost shaking but swallowed down his fear until it stuck firmly in his throat.

Snow Bringer, eyeing him intently with glowing red eyes marked with a glint of distress, examined the knight standing before him. He could smell the Winter in the man, but he had learned to trust no one. Cedric reached out his hand, causing Snow Bringer to rear backward, lifting his massive four front hooves to paw at the air above the knight's head.

The ground shook as he came down inches from Cedric's armor-plated boots. Cedric managed not to flinch in panic. Instead, he smiled as he reached out his hand once more to comfort the beast standing before him.

There was an almost eerie silence as unbridled power and battle-hardened skill leveled out to become equals. Snow Bringer, as fearful and massive as he was, gave in to the offer of friendship from the knight. As Snow Bringer's velvety snout connected with the cold black metal of Cedric's gauntlet, an immense burst of frozen energy shook out from his and Cedric's core. Freezing everything within thirty yards into a permanent winter oasis.

Turning towards the Witch with a puzzled look on his face, Cedric began to ask what had happened, but the Witch stopped him with a kind smile.

"I can see your questions like they were written on your skin, but now is not the time nor place to answer them. Our window of opportunity is small and closing fast. We must go now or risk time catching us before we are done. The Spring Festival waits for no man."

The beast bowed onto two knees, and the knight, although covered in his armor, swung onto its back with a heavy grace. He almost became part of Snow Bringer, and the red in the animal's eyes faded out to reveal a sapphire blue.

With perfect elegance the Witch glided onto the furry saddle, resting on the base of the first set of shoulders in front of Cedric, her hands intertwining in the snowy mane. Without a moment of hesitation, she demanded. "The Forest of All, Cea'em Two'um!"

Snow Bringer snorted loudly, and they were off, faster than the knight had dreamed to go, heading towards the dark tree line to the south. Before long, the constant rhythmic drumming of six hooves against dirt brought the tempting feeling of sweet sleep to Cedric, one that he could ignore no longer.