Winter Has Come…
A harsh winter had penetrated the very core of the land for years now it seemed. Of course, it had only been three months, but it was said that this was the worst winter in over 50 years. Many farmers lost over half their livestock this year, and many of the more destitute had lost their lives as well. Thankfully only another month was left, but for as short as the winter season is, it was deadly, especially this year. Soon spring would hit though…
Haelbane idly watched the snow fall from the branches of the trees. His hunger all but consumed him, but his instincts told him that if he left the warmth of his cave to eat something the harsh, biting wind would eat him first. He nervously scratched at the sparse hair covering his body, wondering when he would get to fill his belly, when he noticed movement under the tree he had been watching earlier. A snowhare perhaps? Or, if he was lucky enough, a young deer. He quickly snuck from his cave, using the howl of the wind to cover his quick steps towards the darkness surrounding the tree. Once there, he saw that his prey was not a tasty mammal at all, but something much more frightening. He turned and tried to run back to the cave, but slipped in the snow and fell heavily against the tree. The whelpling awoke with a start gave out a cry. Haelbane tried to scramble to his feet, but by then it was too late. The last thing he ever saw was the giant form of the mother dragon, before his hunger was ended forever.
