It was always much cooler in the north. While winter was steadily approaching the misty forests of the west it had already arrived to the vast plains, bringing along whistling winds, drifting curtails of icy sleet and covered every inch of the tundra in wet, soggy snow. To some, this was the curtain call of the season, the final warning sign that it was time to pack up and leave for warmer climates - like the balmy southern islands with their swaying palm trees and soft white sands. For others, it was a time to rejoice.

Summer had been an altogether unpleasant experience for the filly. Her body was ill adapted for sweltering sunlight and high temperatures; her very blood felt as though it might vaporize during careless exertion and the only small reprieve she found was during the nights, submerged in some gathering of water. With the cooling weather, it was as though Erthë was returning back to life. No longer sweating, huffing and straining to keep up with everyone else, she thrived beneath the icy rain, danced along with drifting snow and relished the formation of frost on the edge of blushing leaves. She stayed as far away from the south as she could, preferring instead the northern expanses, the high mountain passes and the eerie red forest where she for once had the opportunity the feel cold. It was harder than one might think, when ones natural body temperature lay closer to that of arctic sea water than Mediterranean pools.

This particular day she picked her way slowly through the ruby gloom beneath the blood-colored canopy, nipping at strands of grass as she passed but otherwise little preoccupied. She had spent her morning hard at work practicing with her newfound magic and inherited weapon alike, and soon she would have to start the journey back home to the cliff-side forest lest people began to wonder where she had gone off to. But for the time being she was free to do what she wanted - and today, that meant nothing whatsoever. An incredibly luxurious thing, to be able to do nothing. Erthë relished it, savoring every slowly drifting second, and as she emerged from the forest to stroll past the gem-lined waterfall she offered a lazy, content smile to the tall, looming black stallion that lingered nearby.

"Good day!" she greeted with a cheery bob of the head, and then made to continue past him and disappear once more into the forest.

He looked busy; best not disturb him in whatever business he had come to attend to.

Erthë

and my knees are shaking - - and my dreams are breaking - - but i know i live today