Rannoch entered his third year of life, still a young buck compared to the stags of his once herd. His antlers would grow their third tine this year, but for now his head was bald of his mighty crown. The cycle of the seasons and the natural growth and shedding worked in his favor. There was much less available food in the winter. The trade off was that the predator pressure seemed to let up slightly. There were not many wolves who wished to brave the Boreal winter.

The massive elk was built for exactly this frigid and harsh environment. His body was massive, meaning he could keep warmer and afford to pack on extra stores. Going into winter he could have been considered fat, but it was needed for times like this. His cloves hooves navigated the ice with ease as he followed the guidance of the stars over the desolate land. A mighty tower of ice rose over the horizon, and part of him had hoped they might have found frozen plains. The sun was poking through the clouds, it would be a perfect time for winter grazing. However more difficult the dormant grasses were to get during the dark cold winter. That was why they just had to keep on moving.

His massive hooves crunched lightly over the frozen snow, the icy cathedral overshadowing an ancient taiga. Likely all they would find beneath the ice and snow was lichen but if they were lucky they would find some winter rye.

"Speech"

Cathedral Point

The north is Oscar’s least favorite place in the world. However, the cold climate suits the rest of his herd so, the small ass grins and bares it. Time seems to pass at a staggering rate and Rannoch, who the ass had met as a youngster is now entering the third year of his life. He trails after the massive form of the elk, slowly picking his way across the frozen terrain in hopes of finding some food to gaze on. The donkey’s joints feel stiff and he almost regrets not staying with Nugget in the lands further south but, as he watches Rannoch gracefully walk across the frozen lake, he is thankful to be able to spend some time with elk.

Eyes trail up the mighty tower that looms on the horizon, the moonlight catching the ice crystals and making appear to glow. Small hooves slip on the slick ice and Oscar grunts as he strains to keep himself standing. Part of him knows that he is expending a lot of energy in the search of food that, might not even be there but he doesn’t want to miss out on the chance to have some, one on one time with Rannoch. As the elk easily walks across the ice, the struggling ass longs for a pair of cloven hooves like Ran and Kyren have. Hooves crush through the frozen snow and great clouds of steam pour from the donkey’s mouth.

As he attempts to trot after Rannoch, one of Oscar’s hooves slip on the slick surface of the frozen lake and the donkey’s already tired muscles cannot compensate. Unceremoniously, the ass collapses onto the freezing snow and ice, muscles quiver from exertion while his body shakes slightly from the cold. He doesn’t try to get up yet and resolves to rest a few moments before chasing after the massive elk. Short legs curl toward his body in a vain attempt to keep him warm and he laying his head over his curled front legs. Oscar closes his eyes as sleep tugs at him and tries not to drift off.


"Oscar Monaghan"

Rannoch couldn’t have felt more sorry for the poor single hoofed donkey that had joined their herd. Thankfully the cold weather had improved upon his short coat. The massive deer wouldn’t have admitted it, but when they were all bedding down for the night he enjoyed the luxury of Oscar’s soft and fluffy coat. Rannoch had been born into the snow and the cold, his huge body was made just for an ice age. He was fully aware of Oscar’s struggle, and tried his best to break the trail for the smaller donkey.

Though snow covered the ground they traveled there was ice at the base of their trail. It made for difficult going but Rannoch knew they were going the right way for more grazing. They certainly wouldn’t find lush green grass, but as soon as they found solid ground and not ice, there would be what was essentially hay now, beneath the snow. Ran was leading Oscar closer the the tower that rose into the sky above them like a massive ice sculpture. Surely at the base there would be preserved grasses.

Before they could get there though, Rannoch wouldn’t go without noticing his friend slip and fall into the snow. His deficiencies to the northern reaches were plainly obvious right now. With concern, Rannoch turned back towards the wild ass. "You look miserable, Oscar.” His deep voice rumbled through his barrel-like chest. "Come on, we’re almost there. We can lay together once we’ve gotten to grass.” He encouraged him as his dark muzzle nudged the donkey’s shoulder.

"Speech"