The day was rather bleak. Not a single bird cruised the thermals, nor did a hare scramble through the snow in search of a possible meal. The sun had almost been consumed by the thick masses of clouds that captivated the valley. The only life that was apparent were the massive conifers that loomed over the stallions head. Never falling into a dormant state for the winter, the evergreens brought a splash of color into the rather bland ice capped terrain. Calcifer trudged through the dense snow with high extensive strides in an attempt to rid of the chill the ice brought to his legs. Being rather new to the basin was a real thrill. Calcifer hadn't been a part of any sort of herd since he was a mere colt. Though he was accustomed to thriving in an environment of only his species. He was raised in an all unicorn platform with strict orders to never communicate or tolerate any other division of horses with the exception of his own kind. It seemed he was born to become a member of this herd, fighting in combat to protect those that he loved. Love, what an insolent irritating word.

Distant emerald orbs quietly observed his surroundings as his shortly cropped blonde mane bobbed in unison with his rugged strides. A sudden parched feeling hit the stallion like a kick in the gut. His mouth screamed for a satisfying drink as he attempted to coat his tongue with saliva to hold off his thirst for at least a little while. Luckily, a large body of water appeared to be hidden behind a thick white haze just ahead of the fiery stallion. He could almost taste the cool liquid running down his throat and into his gut. Picking up a more rapid pace, Calcifer threw his long lanky limbs in front of him into a sluggish canter, his curved marbled horn proudly crowning the top of his skull. As the pool neared, calcifer skidded to a rather graceful halt as snow flung against his chest. Shaking his chestnut hid, he ridded of any ice that might have stuck to his pelt. Reaching the bank, a disappointed frown crossed the stud's face in realization that the water was covered in a sheet of ice. It appeared thin enough to break as ripples could be seen just beneath the surface. Break it. But with what?

Searching for a solution, calcifer paced the bank, his blonde tail snapping against his sides in irritation. Tripping over a rock, his body weight was sent flying forwards as his right leg caught the impact to prevent him from hitting the snow. Enraged, he hurled the stone into the air with an angered kick. The pebble was sent sailing through the air until it ultimately hit the ice covered pond with a surprisingly loud crack. Thats it! Pawing at the snow furiously, the stallion discovered a large boulder hidden beneath the blankets of ice. With every push of his maw, the stone fell closer and closer to the bank. Finally, with a nudge of his maw, the stone collapsed against the glaze as a satisfying crack struck the air. A small hole just large enough for the stallions muzzle to fit was created as the stone sank into the depths of the frigid water. With a gratifying gleam in calcifers eyes, he delightfully plunged his maw into the water gulping down the delicious liquid.