The unforgiving chill of Frostfall was at its most brutal, causing coats to grow thick and shaggy, food to become scarce, and to generally make life miserable. I had yet to grow familiar with the layout of our new home, finding the climate to be far less forgiving at this time of year than the Edge had been with its dense canopies to block out nearly everything, but even though it was not the home I'd come to love so dearly, it wasn't so bad. After all, Suli's breath could warm even the most frigid of my ageing bones, and for that I was grateful.

Even more so, Romani had become a much more common sight since our migration, and it was often I found myself thinking of the copper lass. I yearnred to speak with her, to become more than just a name and a passing face to her, but every time I dared try, I would goose and return to my regular duties. She would find me a boring old man, of this I was certain. Oh, I had so much to offer and share, grand tales to be told and affection to be given, but... It could not be, not ever, as far as something beyond friendship went.

I had tried to be a family man once, but now Tor, Laila, Luken... They were all gone. I had failed them.

Only the sound of my name being called out was enough to pull me from my silent reverie. Lifting my head, I was taken by surprise as my mind processed just who I had heard. It was Romani, and instantaneously I was reminded of the mandatory spars recently ordered by Ktulu. Romani was to be my opponent this season, and honestly I looked forward to it. Drawing in a deep breath as though to help wake back up, honey-brown eyes cast down to where the two dragons lay curled about one another in the snow, looking up to me and cocking their heads in unison.

"Come," I spoke aloud, gesturing towards the sound of Romani's call and turning to head towards it, "We've a spar to attend, Suli. Merlin, you must keep a distance and merely watch, understood?" The black gave a trill of understanding, and given the dragon's meek nature, I doubted he would disobey. Turning, the three of us headed for Romani's location at a steady pace.

Already I was putting the pieces of this mock battle together in my head. Frostfall had made the ground slick with ice, and the powdery snow that lay atop it would be of no help. There were a few places that were simply thick with packed snow, providing more purchase, but not much. Romani's location of choice seemed barren of any objects that might otherwise get in the way, such as stumps and the like, which would make focusing on the battle itself and the placement of my hooves just a little easier. As for my opponent herself, she would have much better luck maneuvering around me with her short, stocky stature, whereas I would have strength and reach with my considerable size.

No gallant knight was I as I approached her from the front, hide long, ice having formed within my mane and tail as well as the whiskers of my nose and maw. My hooves were packed with hardened snow and ice, making my typically fluid movement choppy and almost painful. But there was no stopping me as I continued towards Romani at an awkward lope, not even stopping to speak as I made the first move, hoping I might have the element of surprise on my side.

Flying above and just in front of me, Suli let loose a strong jet of flame between Romani and myself, melting away some of the snow and ice in the process, but her goal was to distract the palomino and her tiger more than anything. Before the flame let up, I tried using the icy ground to my advantage, laying on the brakes and allowing my hip to swing out towards the Haflinger so that I hopefully was sliding right towards her when Suli's flame stopped, right side exposed to Romani as I intended to both crash into her and somehow find a way to maintain my balance.

talk talk talk

[ooc - Destrier will be using the buff endure!

723 words. Destrier runs head-on at Romani (err well tries to) while Suli blows a flame down in between them. Destrier re-positions himself, intending to slide into Romani with his right side exposed to her. Suli lets up on the flame before intentionally hitting her with it.]