It's Very Cold Here

[Celandine]

After having spent her entire life in the temperate climate of Corone, with its serene woodlands and endless meadows, the young faun Celandine found Salvar to be intensely frigid. With the hard brutal ground beneath her hooves, and a bitter wind that was unforgiving she was surprised anyone would make their home here. The earth had to be unbearably tough to till and grow crops in, and surely only the sturdiest of beasts would survive here. Most especially after did not like the look of the snow atop the horizon's hills, for they rumoured of an even colder place.

Hugging herself tightly, pulling her many layers of knitted produce around her body she walked faster, eyes trying to find some form of comfort. But so far the path from the port had been lonely and wild - nary a settlement in sight. What she wanted was a town to spend a few nights in, one that could give her exactly what she wanted, which was a new experience. The smoke in the distance she had recently seen and was now heading towards was hopeful, but she could not be fully certain of its complexity.

At the very least smoke meant fire. And fire meant warmth. Hot food and warm wine perhaps, a cup of tea and some satisfaction. If it was a village, well better, perhaps she could barter some of her wares. Truly now, at least, she was alone, having gotten rid of her protective tail back in Stonevale and now she had escaped to the ends of the world.

All she wanted was independence, and she hoped she could find it in this cold, cold hell.