Snowstorm

The small band of horses had been travelling for several days. Scout glanced back at Winter and Wren, somehow having been designated their travel leader. The mares agreed that he was the best choice as he had a knack for finding the safest and easiest routes through the landscape, which was presently made up of rocky outcroppings.

A chill settled in the air and he couldn’t help but wonder if the snow he’d been expecting was going to blow into a storm. The cold wasn’t much of a problem for them as loshenkas, they were built for that kind of weather. Soft dense coats kept them warm. Neither did they have manes to catch the snow and water to weigh them down. Even his beautiful long tail would be fine as long as it kept it moving and didn’t let the snow settle on it. However, if it was to turn into a storm, they would benefit from some shelter for the night.

While flakes started to fall from the sky, one drifted in front of him to land on his muzzle. Scout snorted and shook the snow flake off.

Winter stepped up beside him. “We need to find shelter. It won’t be long before it becomes difficult to see.”

He looked over at the mare. “I was just thinking the same thing.”

“Perhaps some of the rocks have a crack large enough for us to huddle in,” she suggested.

Scout hoped so. It didn’t look like there was much else to use for shelter around there and very soon they wouldn’t be able to see anything at all.

“Let’s keep moving.” He glanced back to check on Wren, only to see the younger mare several metres behind them talking with a red fox. “Wren?”

She nodded and smiled at the fox before looking up at the two of them and trotting over. “Autumn says that she can show us somewhere to shelter from the storm.”

Winter chuckled, sharing a glance with Scout. “One step ahead of us.”

Scout grinned. He really shouldn’t be so surprised that the champagne mare had already asked another creature of help. “Alright then, let’s keep moving before the snow gets any worse.” He turned to the fox. “Thank you, Autumn.”

She nodded but didn’t smile. “This way.”

The snowfall grew heavier as the band of horses followed the little fox. They passed rocks and trees, each more laden with snow as the world turned white. Scout flicked his tail to keep the snow from settling on it and looked skyward. They needed to get out of the elements soon, the storm was nearly upon them. Even as the thought crossed his mind, the wind picked up, whipping snow into their faces.

“How much further?” Winter shouted over the wind.

“It’s not far,” the fox called back over her shoulder.

Trusting that she knew where she was going, even through the blinding snow, the horses continued to follow. It felt like forever before they finally saw a shape up ahead: a dark cave entrance. The fox trotted inside, shaking off any snow from her coat, and sat down, tail curled around her paws.

Stepping out of the snow, Scout let out a sigh of relief. They would be much safer and more comfortable waiting out the storm in there.

Wren made a small happy noise as she stepped out of the wind. She shook off any snow and trotted past Scout further into the cave. “That’s better. I was starting to get cold.”

Winter moved inside more cautiously. Her lips curled as she scented the air.

“Only bats live in this one,” Autumn commented. “You could be safe.”

“It never hurts to check,” the white mare replied. “Someone else might have come in seeking shelter from the storm and I, for one, would rather not be taken by surprise.”

“Thank you for leading us here,” Scout said gratefully. “I imagine you want to get back to your own den now.”

Autumn nodded. “Yes. I must take my leave before it gets any worse.”

“Thanks so much, Autumn,” Wren lowered her head to nuzzle the fox.

She accepted it with a small grin. “You’re welcome, Wren.”

“Your help was most appreciated,” added Winter.

The red fox pulled back and turned towards the entrance. “Goodbye, loshenkas. And good luck on your journey.”

They called their goodbyes and well wishes after Autumn as she ran back outside. With a few steps, her red fur was swallowed up by the snow. A silence settled over the trio once she was gone.

“So…” Scout drew out the word, “I suppose we should get some sleep.”

Winter glanced outside and nodded. “With any luck the storm will blow out by morning.”

“Then everything will be covered in white and it’ll look so pretty,” Wren pranced forward like a playful foal, kicking up the layer of dirt on the cave floor.

Winter smiled at the younger mare’s antics. “That it will.”

The three of them explored a little further into the cave before being satisfied that they were safe. Huddling together, they soon fell asleep.

…

The next morning the sun rose over the snow blanketed land. The storm had blown itself out over night. The trio of horses stepped out of the cave into the deep snow. It came three quarters of the way up their legs.

Winter frowned. “This is going to make things difficult.”

“I think it’ll be fun!” Wren bunny hopped through the snow like an excited wolf pup.

Scout pawed at the snow, digging at it with his hood until he could reach the grass underneath, or what was left of it anyway. He frowned at the lifeless turf, looking wholly unappetizing pressed into the ground. "We'll have to keep going regardless in the hopes of finding better food."

"Then let's go!" Wren leapt through the snow. Winter and Scout shared a glance before falling into single file behind her, taking advantage of the partially cleared out snow.

So off they went. With the sun on their backs and hope in their hearts, the trio travelled onward, searching for somewhere to call their own.