Baird’s old nemesis: winter had returned again to the mountains of Spirane. The sleet and the snow covered the mountains in its predictable and annual visit. It deadened the sounds of the world while heightening the senses of those who wanted to listen closely. Every movement on the shining surfaces could be seen and heard though the silence was still eerie and loud to experience. Baird still remembered the day he had ventured too far into the mountains during a storm and the regrets he had of doing so. A year later, he still could swear he would occasionally feel the twinge on the side of his head. He also continued to be thankful to Moonfeather. Anytime he had seen her over the year he had bowed his head to her in thanks and respect, politely keeping himself as cordial as possible, particularly if her father was present.

In the year he had continued his training, continued his rounds and drills. Just because he had achieved his rank he was not going to let himself slip. There had been a reason he had reached for this position. He had worked to earn it and by all means, he was going to work to keep it. Things had started to shift and change for him, however. As his body seemed to be putting the finishing touches on his physique his mind seemed to have gone a little wild. His ambitions were still high as what his drive. But in this season all of the sudden it seemed as though the winter, silent and cold as it was, was also filled with a deafening heat. A desire he had never felt before. Very quickly, he found himself frustrated, though not to the point of agitation or irritation, or to be rude. Simply too much for him to be able to contain. The young man sighed to himself and rolled his eyes in self-despair. He had taken to trotting along the packed snow paths, keeping his pace quick while he thought out and balanced this new desire with traits he had already committed himself to. It was not as though he was completely clueless as to what was happening to him. He just wished it wouldn’t have been so confusing.