A storm is coming. The clouds have grown thick and grey, the wan winter light turning the world to tones of pallid grey and white and muted green. Emhyr anxiously eyes the sky from where he stands sentry upon the beach, the frothy waves lapping at the beach in a lulling rhythm that does little to calm his nerves.

"Enver," Emhyr calls, beckoning his son - now second-in-command - from where he lingers nearby. "Gather the herd and make sure they are safe when the storm hits. I'm going to go try to find your mother and sister." The pair had always been fiercely independent, and it seemed unlikely to Emhyr that they would be gathered with the rest of the flock.

Enver gives a short nod and trots off down the beach, eager to follow his father's command and cement himself as a reliable partner. Emhyr watches him until his dark figure disappears around a bend in the beach, then turns his attention inland. He wanders, somewhat aimlessly, until he picks up the faintest whiff of Eythora's enticing scent upon the breeze and the evidence of her travels in the windswept snow. Diligently, Emhyr follows her tracks to where they disappear between the towering pines. The sky has begun to spit out fat flakes of snow by the time he reaches her, dusting his dark coat with ivory flecks.

Emhyr makes a point to whicker out a greeting as he pushes his way into the spring-fed clearing nestled amidst the trees. "Eythora," her name falls with fondness from his tongue, his lips curling into a warm smile that broadens into a grin as he turns his attention to their daughter, greeting her with equal enthusiasm. "I see you've found the springs - I should've known I wouldn't be able to keep a place like this secret." Emhyr remarks, his tone light and teasing.

Emhyr moves to tuck himself next to Eythora, reaching out to brush a kiss across her shoulder. He cannot help but relish having her so close again. It is hard not to reminisce on the last time they found themselves sequestered away while a storm raged on outside their self-made sanctuary. "I would have brought Enver," he says, "but I sent him to tend to the rest of the herd. Looks like it'll just be the three of us waiting out this storm."